Anyone purchased Kenny Brown products in recent years?

tporter67

Member
Established Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2019
Messages
97
Location
Clemson, South Carolina
I was just wondering if anyone had experience with their quality lately. I know they had issues years ago for reasons but Im wondering if that is different now. I watched a bunch of Kenny's tech talks on youtube and it seemed like he REALLY knew his stuff. I've seen FTBR customers bash KB a lot but thats kinda like asking a Chevy guy why you should buy a Ford. I'm also curious if anyone has purchased anything since Kenny has passed. I think I heard someone in the family like his nephew was gonna start taking a head on things.
 

CobraBob

Authorized Vendor
Established Member
Premium Member
Single Barrel Sirs
Joined
Nov 17, 2002
Messages
105,354
Location
Cheshire, CT
What specific suspension components are you looking for? I haven't personally read of many SVTP members recently buying Kenny Brown suspension parts. FTBR customers bash KB because, well, their stuff is superior to Kenny Brown. If you haven't seen one or both of these threads, they're worth going through.


 

tporter67

Member
Established Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2019
Messages
97
Location
Clemson, South Carolina
What specific suspension components are you looking for? I haven't personally read of many SVTP members recently buying Kenny Brown suspension parts. FTBR customers bash KB because, well, their stuff is superior to Kenny Brown. If you haven't seen one or both of these threads, they're worth going through.


Thanks for the links. I had seen one of them but i knew that those were around the time they went out of business. They’re back up and I was curious if things had changed.

I really liked the idea that he moved the suspension points to make the best of it. I understand that the IRS in the cobras we’re kinda an afterthought by ford and wasnt exactly the best.

It seems like he knew how to make race cars but couldn't ever nail down mass production.

I was interested in the stuff that he offers that FTBR doesnt. Such as the modified carrier and the control arms.
 

CobraBob

Authorized Vendor
Established Member
Premium Member
Single Barrel Sirs
Joined
Nov 17, 2002
Messages
105,354
Location
Cheshire, CT
If FTBR doesn't offer the components you need, I wouldn't be overly concerned that you're buying inferior quality parts. I can't personally recommend KB and I haven't seen any recent purchases here, if you're comfortable with the brand and reviews, go with KB. Have you looked into any other brands?
 

tporter67

Member
Established Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2019
Messages
97
Location
Clemson, South Carolina
If FTBR doesn't offer the components you need, I wouldn't be overly concerned that you're buying inferior quality parts. I can't personally recommend KB and I haven't seen any recent purchases here, if you're comfortable with the brand and reviews, go with KB. Have you looked into any other brands?
Does anybody else have tubular control arms? I know FTBR makes the diff torque brace and stifflers makes the matrix system
 

shurur

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
3,760
Location
Lutz, FL
Does anybody else have tubular control arms? I know FTBR makes the diff torque brace and stifflers makes the matrix system
I think the consensus on the KB tubular control arms is that they are weaker than the OEM.

Really the stifflers and FTBR setup is the best. We are not drinking the coolant; it is fact.

I have a cobbled together MM, Steeda, GW setup, (red-black pill) but it is no match for the above.

FTBR sells the stiffler system.

The only KB offering I like is the rear shock tower brace, but even that is not as good as the CHE brace IMO.
 

01yellercobra

AKA slo984now
Established Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2005
Messages
21,128
Location
Cali
I've only seen one broken IRS control arm since I've started playing with Cobras and it was installer error. That's just my experience, but I don't see the need to run tubular IRS control arms.
 

Blkkbgt

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Premium Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2011
Messages
3,080
Location
The land of commies and socialists!
I think the consensus on the KB tubular control arms is that they are weaker than the OEM.
I've always wondered if they were weaker or if the they were simple manufactured incorrectly.

It was pretty obvious to anyone who has read Bruce's old thread that there were some pretty serious manufacturing errors.

I think there's also the possibility that incorrect materials were used by whatever fab shop he was using back them.

Kenny however never addressed any of it. Never said a word publicly to my knowledge so we'll never know.

The control arm issue and the IRS cradle hard tail mount design have kept me clear of his parts.

I have considered buying his adjustable front sway bar since MM killed theirs but I am learing of purchasing anything since Kenny's passing.
 

Users who are viewing this thread



Top