Lowering my pickup

[67chevy_hotrod]

Ok what's the best way to lower a 67 with factory 6 lug drums. I have no desire to switch to drums and no desire for bags or anything extreme I like an old hot rod look and I want functionality too ( obviously can't have the best of both worlds here) but are spindles an option or just springs? Any advice is good advice. Thanks all

[88Stanger]

Well i have a 69 swb with stock 4x4 rims (wider is all) on 2.5" drop spindles up front with 1 " drop springs along with 3" drop spring with 1" drop blocks. looks great, not to low but the look is awesome to me. Just my thoughts.

[BC10]

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[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by 67chevy_hotrod

Ok what's the best way to lower a 67 with factory 6 lug drums. I have no desire to switch to drums and no desire for bags or anything extreme I like an old hot rod look and I want functionality too ( obviously can't have the best of both worlds here) but are spindles an option or just springs? Any advice is good advice. Thanks all

Did you mean no desire to switch to discs?

The best way to lower these trucks is with a 2 or 2.5" drop spindle with a 1 to 2" spring, depending on how low you want to go. This way, you keep the majority of the stock suspension geometry in place, if you do an all spring drop you're going to have the upper control arms shoved full of shims. The back (if coil springs) is easy, but once you get down to 5 and 6 inches you really need to use a shock relocater kit and track bar relocater kit.

I highly recommend ECE. Great stuff. $, yes, but do it once, do it right.

Also, since spindles are the best way to go up front, ECE also sells a 6 lug disc rotor, mine has been on my truck for 10+ years. It's a high quality roter. Since you're swapping spindles... disc brakes are a great upgrade.

I just did my truck recently, I have to find someone to cut out my upper shock mounts for me (blazer tank in the way, I'd rather pay someone $20-30 than drop everything out).

Check my "1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild" thread below!

[specialtyretail]

Easiest and least expensive way is drop springs at both ends.

[northerngmc]

I just dropped my 68 C20 using drop springs. I am not sure if you will find drop spindles that will work with drum brakes.

I just used a basic kit of springs and shocks to complete a 2" front and 4" rear drop.



One word of caution. Most of the information I read here stated the easiest way to change the front springs was to pop the lower ball joint free. On my 68 C20 with drum brakes the lower control arm would not clear the backing plate for the brake drums. I ended up unbolting the ubolts that hold the lower control arm on at the frame end. Went well. That and you will find many threads on here of people trying to get the lower ball joint to pop. Mine took banging and heat to only find out that the lower control arm would not drop because it was hung up on the brake backing plate.

I am very happy with my 2/4 drop.



And AFTER

[Lou Boffa]

subbed

[CST10]

Here's a 3/5 spring only drop with drums all the way around. I put a 1" taller rear tire to give it an ol school rubber rake.

[Robznob11]

How good a fabricator are you, 3" body drop is the cheapest but takes some work.lol. I would go with spindles and spring s , they used to have them for drums not sure now. Or go with both like I did.

[68Stepbed]

I'm not going to tell you what to do here, but, switching to front disc brakes is by far the best upgrade you can make especially for the sake of safety. As Jesse mentioned above, ECE sells a high quality 6 lug disc conversion with either stock height or drop spindles.

I'll also recommend [url=www.earlyclassic.com]ECE[url] over any other brand. Great quality components and great customer service. They also have "stance" photos on their website of different drops so you can decide what you like.

As for keeping it driveable, you can go as low as a 4/6 and still maintain a quality ride that doesn't require special modifications to install or maintain.

Good luck with making your decision and be sure to post lots of photos when you're done.

[67chevy_hotrod]

I would like to not switch to disc I meant because I want to run factory 6 lug 15 inch steel wheels.. Does anyone know if anyone sells drop spindles for drum brakes?

[rattle69]

I'm sure I've seen drop spindles for 6 lug drum before. Can't remember where. On another note, if you want to stay with 6 lug their are 6 lug disc brake kits available too. I think they come as a kit with drop spindles too. Check the vender marketplace. I'm sure somebody else will chime in with a link. Good luck from down the road in Puyallup.

[68Stepbed]

As far as I know, no one makes a drop spindle for the drum setup. What about finding a set of 6 lug wheels from the later model 4x4 trucks?

[BC10]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

As far as I know, no one makes a drop spindle for the drum setup. What about finding a set of 6 lug wheels from the later model 4x4 trucks?

What year models.

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by BC10

What year models.

71 up 4x4s. Mainly the 73-78ish. Most of those came with 15x6.5 or 7(some even had 15x8) steel wheels and dog dish caps. They're almost just like the original 67-70 steel wheels, but with a slightly different center to clear the disc brakes.

There's also the 4x4 rally wheels, but I'm picking up the vibe you want to stay with the classic styling.

[GASoline71]

Got a torch?





Gary

[jacmac926]

I did a 2/3 spring only drop on my 67 with disc in the front no clearance issues and I'm using rally wheels off a 86 k10.

[michael bustamante]

if you were to go 6 lug disc conversion, the wheels you need would come off 73 and newer 4x4 trucks. look for 4 nubs on the wheel.
or the rallys. those fit nice on the drums
if you keep the drums though dont drop the front end too much with just drop springs or cut springs, you'll never get the alignment right.

[OregonNed]

That drop looks great!