'79 GMC frontend drop help

[ymerej71]

Hey everyone, I could use a little help / info dropping the front end of my '79 GMC. The truck had been dropped some before I purchased it, but the guy I bought it from had no info on what methods had been used... I'm guessing maybe different springs. I'm thinking that the spindles on the truck are the originals. I'm not wanting to go much lower for now, just wanting the tops of the tires slightly tucked. I've attached pics of the frontend, springs/spindles and a pic of the way the truck sits now. If you can tell... do you think that these are the stock spindles? If so, new dropped spindles are probably going to be the route I'm going for the extra drop. Let me know your thoughts... Thanks!

[hotrod_991]

you have stock spindles and aftermarket drop springs. The spings look like the drop spings I have in my truck now. Deff go with spindels that is the route im going too.

[frenchsquared]

Yep, what he said. ^^^^^

[Jonboy]

Most aftermarket spindles will have a name cast into them. Judging from the fender height, I would say they are stock spindles. While you have the tire off, measure the rotor width. You will need to know if they are HD (1.25) or light duty (1") rotors.

[J Knight]

Looks to me you got 2.5 spindles and stock springs. At that ride height you would be riding the bumpstop pads if those were stock spindles.
Note
The bent brake line to clear the spindle.
How low the control arm is relative to the dust cover.
Stock spindle shaft is closer to bottom ball joint mount hole.
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[hotrod_991]

Originally Posted by J Knight

Looks to me you got 2.5 spindles and stock springs. At that ride height you would be riding the bumpstop pads if those were stock spindles.
Note
The bent brake line to clear the spindle.
How low the control arm is relative to the dust cover.
Stock spindle shaft is closer to bottom ball joint mount hole.
Posted via Mobile Device

you know you might be right. Looking at the pictures again is it more or does it look like the upper contol arm has been ground down at the point to allow the spindle to reach full lock woth out hitting?

[J Knight]

Originally Posted by hotrod_991

you know you might be right. Looking at the pictures again is it more or does it look like the upper contol arm has been ground down at the point to allow the spindle to reach full lock woth out hitting?

I couldnt see it earlier on my phone but yes it looks ground down to clear 15in wheels.

[ymerej71]

Originally Posted by J Knight

Looks to me you got 2.5 spindles and stock springs. At that ride height you would be riding the bumpstop pads if those were stock spindles.
Note
The bent brake line to clear the spindle.
How low the control arm is relative to the dust cover.
Stock spindle shaft is closer to bottom ball joint mount hole.
Posted via Mobile Device

Hmmm... I can see what you're saying, and I also got to thinking about the clearance I still have on those bumpstops. Maybe the spindles have been replaced and I still have the stock springs?!? That's the questions of the day... It's a sure bet that I don't have both dropped spindles & springs because it doesn't sit that low. I just didn't want to re-buy some parts only to disassemble the truck and find out that's what I already had.

Thanks for all the input so far everyone!

[J Knight]

Originally Posted by ymerej71

Hmmm... I can see what you're saying, and I also got to thinking about the clearance I still have on those bumpstops. Maybe the spindles have been replaced and I still have the stock springs?!? That's the questions of the day... It's a sure bet that I don't have both dropped spindles & springs because it doesn't sit that low. I just didn't want to re-buy some parts only to disassemble the truck and find out that's what I already had.

Thanks for all the input so far everyone!

OK, with the truck on the ground, how much clearance do you have from the top of the bumpstop rubber (the tip) to the point it makes contact with the spring tower?

[ymerej71]

Originally Posted by J Knight

OK, with the truck on the ground, how much clearance do you have from the top of the bumpstop rubber (the tip) to the point it makes contact with the spring tower?

I hope to get the wheels/tires back on the truck later this afternoon... Then I'll re-check the clearance to see how much it changes. I'm also gonna snap several different pics (different angles) on the spindles first before i mount everything back up. I'll get back with everyone later... Thanks again for the help!

[J Knight]

Originally Posted by ymerej71

I hope to get the wheels/tires back on the truck later this afternoon... Then I'll re-check the clearance to see how much it changes. I'm also gonna snap several different pics (different angles) on the spindles first before i mount everything back up. I'll get back with everyone later... Thanks again for the help!

Ive got some stock and drop spidles in my garage, Ill take pics of them side by side shortly.

[hotrod_991]

if you get a chance try and clean them up as best you can. see if there is a stamped name on them from a company

[flamingbig10]

you could also cut the coil one revolution off the coil cut equals 2" off drop, If you already have some kind of cutting tool all it will take is R&R time for the coils

[J Knight]

Originally Posted by flamingbig10

you could also cut the coil one revolution off the coil cut equals 2" off drop, If you already have some kind of cutting tool all it will take is R&R time for the coils

X2, if you go this route don't forget to cut out the bumpstop brackets.
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[N2TRUX]

Its hard to tell from the pics if thats an aftermarket spring. Stock springs arent painted, but the PO could have done that when he installed the spindles.

If you need it lower, I would cut half a coil and see what you get.

[ymerej71]

I'm thinking I'm probably going to cut the springs I have and see what I come up with... if I'm not happy with it, then I can buy new springs. Now all I've got to do is find time to pull the springs and get to cutting! Thanks for the info!

[hotrod_991]

if you cut the springs do it in a bucket of water. That will help displace the heat a the coil should retain its structural integrety.

[N2TRUX]

I agree, but I would determine if they are aftermarket or stock painted coils. If they are aftermarket, I would only cut a half coil and see what you get.

hotrod_991 that method works if you must use a torch to cut them. I prefer a cut off wheel, but have used a band saw, hack saw, and even a circular saw with a tile blade. Any method that does not create excessive heat will work.

[ymerej71]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I agree, but I would determine if they are aftermarket or stock painted coils. If they are aftermarket, I would only cut a half coil and see what you get.

hotrod_991 that method works if you must use a torch to cut them. I prefer a cut off wheel, but have used a band saw, hack saw, and even a circular saw with a tile blade. Any method that does not create excessive heat will work.

...a hack saw?!? That just sounds like too much work to me! haha.. I'll be shortening my coils with a cut-off wheel. Thanks for all the helpful info from everyone!

[hotrod_991]

ok I wasnt sure if it was needed with ither ways of cutting or not that was just what i have been told was needed. A circular saw? wow bet that was a handful to hang onto

[N2TRUX]

I used a "power" hacksaw once that was actually a handful. Surprisingly, a regular hacksaw with a fresh blade wasn't too bad. I was helping a kid lower his truck and that was all that we had at the time.