tj78_ started this thread a couple of months ago concerning a group purchase on Spohn subframe connectors.

Since then, Lon @ Top Down Solutions has offered to put something together and offer us a group purchase for the Alston sfc's and (optionally) his steering brace. So, I decided to start a new clean thread for that purpose.

Chime in here if you're interested in this GP...

 

Well depending on when the purchase was to happen I would definatley be interested. I have been looking at adding both the SFC's and the wonderbar to my car.

 

I'm in, tell me when to buy kevjennheath@aol.com I'll keep checking on this post.

 

I called Alston today 8/8/03. Monday I should have an answer on my cost to have 25 SFC's shipped on a pallet. I plan to offer the GP in a couple of variations:

1) Un-coated SFC

2) Gloss black powder-coated SFC

3) Un-coated SFC + TDS Steering Brace in either of the 3 powder-coated colors

4) Gloss black powder-coated SFC + TDS Steering Brace

Of course multiple SFC's and Steering Braces shipping to one address will reduce the S&H cost. I'll add a TDS GP p/n and the options along with the price to my web site when everything has been finalized. Once the 25 SFC's have been allocated the GP will be closed (for this go-round), so there will be no need to post onto a thread "I'm in for one", just order it through the p/n on-line. Those of you that have ordered from me before know how the process of ordering on-line goes, but briefly for those that haven't, I’ll explain.

If you want to purchase an Alston SFC at the GP price, then select the GP p/n. You’ll have the option of adding powder-coating or adding a TDS Steering Brace to the GP p/n. If you want two SFC’s simply add two GP p/n’s to your shopping cart. The combo price for the Steering Brace only applies to the GP, (i.e., you can only order one Steering Brace for each GP SFC ordered).

VERY IMPORTANT: I will still be offering the Alston SFC as a regular catalog item throughout the GP. If you want a Alston SFC at the GP price, then you’ll need to order it under THAT specific p/n. Once the 25 SFC’s have been sold, the GP will disappear from my web site. I’m limiting the GP to US & Canadian addresses. US orders will ship via UPS ground. Canadian orders will ship by USPS Airmail Parcel Post. You’ll receive an order confirmation once you’ve completed the online order transaction. But your order won’t become valid until I’ve created an invoice for it. That will give me an opportunity to review the items ordered and verify that the S&H was correct. Everyone that has ordered under the GP will be getting an invoice showing their order total and notified when to send in their MO or PAYPAL funds. Of course I’ll still accept plastic (VISA, MasterCard and Discover). The GP will be funded entirely through the Members that are making the purchase. In other words, I won’t be floating $3K on my credit card and waiting for you to send in your money.

Please do a SEARCH on this web site for your research regarding these Alston SFC’s before purchasing them. Numerous posts have been made and answered on this web site already regarding such FAQ’s as fitment, ground clearance, installation method, bolting in vs. welding (these SFC’s accommodate both installation methods), etc.

Please don’t e-mail me to be added to a SFC GP list, because none will be created. The GP opens up once I’ve added that p/n to my web site early next week.

Thanks,

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions

 

Awesome, Lon!! Thanks!!

 

Sounds great! Thanks a lot

 

I need the "Wonder Bar" ONLY if that is an option to help group purchase.

 

lon,
do we have any word on price yet? or will it jsut be a "suprise" when the part number comes up?

tj

 

I called Alston again this morning. I'm just waiting for them to get back to me with a price including the freight. I've already rec'd 3 of 4 quotes on getting the powder-coating done locally. Then I'll need to run it through the spreadsheet to get the retail prices.

Lon

 

i was just thinking:


the alstons can be bolted in and then welded. so you can put them in and drive to teh shopm etc...now my question

i know everyone stresses so mcuht htat when you weld SFC's on, your car's suspension must be under normal load aka sitting in the weels, not jacked up... must be a drive on lift or 4 ramps etc...

well becuase you bolt them up , and that is where they will be welded, is this necessary? if the bolts are tight, when you lift the car, the sfc's shoudln't move anyway right?

what do you guys think???

tj

 

I'm not going to bother with bolting them in. I'll throw them in the back and drive over. The muffler shop (has drive up lifts) can deal with the whole installation.

 

any new word Lon? im getting ANXIOUS!
wish alston would respond here sometime...

 

I'm still in for the Alston subframe connectors

 

91b2l,
make sure you read the post.... there is no list....
so you are not really in for the sfc's. they will jsut be an item for sale at Lon's site...
just trying to make sure you don't realize this later if you ahve not so you do not miss out ....
tj

 

I got the numbers I need from Alston a little while ago. I'm heavily into shipping product at the moment. I'll run the numbers tonight and should be able to put the GP p/n on my site either tonight or tomorrow. It looks as if I'll be having an option to delete the mounting kit (bolts, nuts & washers) and save a bit more for those of you that will ONLY be welding these in.

Lon

 

Doh, I posted in the other thread before I've seen this one, oh well. I'm definitely down for the bundle package myself!!

 

Schweeeeeeet!!

 

do the mounting bolts use pre-existing holes? i think if the do i will go for teh lug kit, that way they are right where they are supposed to be, if you ahve to drill them, then its prob not worth it in my eyes... they are bolts that run right through and you use a nut on the other side?
tj

 

I'm highly interestd but I'd really like to see a price first.

 

hey Lon,
don't mean to be a pain, but still crunching numbers? have a goal as to waht time you will be able to get this stuff up?
i go to college next week so im hopeful that i can get them before then and bring them with me to install there and ride to a muffler shop in the city....
most people go to a muffler shop to gt them welded right? any other options? other than local mechanics taht can weld that you happen to know...
tj

 

I'm running the number and trying to find a source for the box I want to use. There is something I meant to mention and it it very important to understand it from the beginning. If you are pressed for time (and it sounded like that was the case) the Group Purchase won't work for you. There are several lead-times to deal with here. First off Alston has quoted me a 2-3 week lead time between ordering and having product ready (I'd allow an extra week here). Then we have a 1 week in-transit. The pallet(s) need to be broken down and those to be powder-coated delivered to the powder-coater. Then you have the lead time at the powder-coater. This is at the minimum a 4-6 week process. On top of this you'll have the time required to sell out the GP and collect the money. Also factor in that Alston's busiest time of the year begins in October, so their quoted 2-3 week lead time will get longer. Only purchase through the GP if you have the time and patience to wait for the SFC's. Your patience will be rewarded with the price. This is why I'll still be stocking and offering the SFC's through my web site at the regular price in addition to the GP.

Thanks,

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions

 

That all sounds reasonable, Lon. I do have a couple questions, however. Are you saying that you won't be ordering the pallet of sfc's from Alston until the GP has sold out? And if so, will those of us who don't need powder-coating be waiting on those that do? In other words, are you setting things up so that you ship everything to everyone at one time? TIA for clarifying...

 

Lon, since they are shipped to you bare, does it cost any different
to power coat them bright red

I checked your site three times today for the GP, man this feels like an ebay auction or something:lala:

I have no problem waiting as long as the deal is good

 

Everything will be ordered at one time. I suppose I could fire off the order prior to the entire GP selling out, based on how quickly the orders have been coming in so it will still sell out by the time the order is ready to ship. I'm adding a TDS stocking order with it as well, so if the GP falls short or goes a little over the 25 I'll be able to accomodate it. It was also the only way I could bring the cost of powder-coating down to a reasonable level.

Here are the numbes I've come up with:

SFC bare (un-coated): $150
SFC bare + TDS Steering Brace: $188

SFC powder-coated gloss black: $165
SFC powder-coated + TDS Brace: $203

Add $8 if you want the mounting hardware kit (bolts, nuts & washers to bolt it in). If you are taking it to a shop to be welded in or welding them in yourself you won't need the hardware kit.

I'm jammed with getting out two large wholesale orders today & tomorrow. I'll try to put the p/n on tonight so I can begin taking orders.

Lon

 

hoo ray! im in!

 

i may want a set of uncoated alston bolt on sfc's for 150 bucks which i will weld in, but i need to do some more research if any clearance problems might happen with my spohn torque arm and crossmember with the front drive shaft loop.

 

Will the GP sign-up be on the home page of the site or is it going to be somewhere else?

 

when you get a powdercoated set.....

when you weld them in do you ahve to clean off the powdercoating where you plan to weld, or does the welding burn that off.???
tj

trying to decide if the powdercoating is worth it or not.....but for $15 i think i would go for it...
tj

 

Yes. You grind off a bit of the powder-coating prior to welding them in place. Then hit it with a rattle-can of gloss black after it has cooled.

Lon

 

Rock 'n Roll Baby! GP's are up on my web site and accepting orders.

Back to work.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions

 

Thanks for the GP

 

I got mine ordered! Thanks Lon!

 

Ordered mine...thanks a lot Lon!!

 

just ordered mine, thanks lon

 

ordered mine too!!! thx Lon...

 

I placed my order just a few minutes ago! Thanks! :hail:

 

Same here, picked up the package deal for the SFC's and the Steering Brace. Couldn't say no to the powder coating either. $15?? How can you beat that price?

Thanks for putting all this together Lon. Really appreciate it

 

Ordered mine last nite!! Thnx, Lon. Dave S.

 

My order's in. Thanks Lon.:hail:

 

my order is on for the combo....

same here! how can you beat $15 to get them painted?
it would practically cost that to do them with rustoleum and spraypaint.... and this way its professional....

this is nice how everyone is stating that they ordered, that way we know when we hit 25..... keep buying them! i want them ordred quick! maybe if so we can hit the 2 weeks from alston and not 4-5....were up to ten, not bad for a day and a half...

Lon, i think you said this before but, you guarantee that they wil fit any exhaust /y-pipe and you guarantee them for life someone said right? guarantee from what? structural integrity? someone said if you bottom out on them and they collapse, that they are covered...

ok thats long enough, thanks again Lon great deal! and glad we can all support a sponser...

Tj

 

.

 

Just ordered the combo. Good deal!
Thanks Lon.

 

Just ordered mine

 

Hey Lon, how're the orders goin'? Are these goin as fast as we'd all hope? Thanks, Efrain.

 

19 so far. GP is almost sold out. Everyone that has placed an order should have received either an invoice via e-mail showing their order total or received e-mail stating their order status has changed from "pending" to ""procesing". If you've placed an order (or think you have) and haven't received either, then contact me.

Lon

 

that didn't take long...

 

Well guys, I've got news. I placed the GP on verbal order Monday. Alston called today with a scheduled ship date of 9/3. So I should get them roughly 5 days after then. I'll be putting together a formal PO for the GP and faxing it to Alston along with a deposit. It looks like I'll be shipping un-coated SFC's by 9/12 and powder-coated ones the in the following week. I'll be closing the GP once the order has shipped from Alston. Once I've faxed the PO you'll still be able to enter the GP, but you'll no longer have the choice of ordering it without the $8 installation kit. It will be required, since that is how I'd be ordering my stocking order (which is what any un-sold orders of the GP become). I'll be notifying everyone that is paying by check/MO to send in their funds now (if I haven't already received them) and notifying those paying by cc that their order has been charged to their card. That's all for now. I've got a PO to put together, packaging to order and a pallet-lifter to order.

PS: Something else I haven't mentioned before now. Alston has changed what they call the boxes (the formed metal pieces that snugly fit to the front & rear sub-frames and are either bolted or welded in place). This will be the third or fourth generation of them. They are now punched and formed. They are changing to laser-cut and formed. I've known of the change for a few Months, but this will be the first of of the new-style to be shipped. I've been asured they are being test-fitted (if thay haven't been already) so there will be no fittment issues. Remember the SFC's have a lifetime warranty for construction.

Lon

 

I'm in, just ordered... so that should be at least 20.

 

:rockon:

 

The magic 25 quantity has been reached. I placed a written PO with Alston today (8/21) along with a deposit. I've eliminated the GP2 (SFC + Steering Brace) but am holding the GP1 (Alston SFC's) open for a while yet. I've made the mounting kit mandatory now, since I placed an order for the balance of the SFC's to include a mounting kit.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions