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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Centreville, Virginia
Posts: 846
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Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
Just as the title says............. drop spindles or dropped lower control arms. Just like a dummy, I sold all of the Bell Tech stuff when I got rid of my last project (3" drop spindles, Nitro Drop Shocks, C notch and Axle Flip Kit). No I am trying to build up my stash again. I have recently acquired (couretsy of Craigslist) a rear spring hanger / shackle kit along with a McGaughy's C notch kit. All brand new in the box for $ 50. I am going to save all of this and pick up a Bell Tech # 6852 Rear Axle Flip kit.
I am trying to weight my options of using factory 15" steelies or 20's that I just picked up on the cheap. What is the best drop spindle that will cause the least amount of problems on the installation side (lower control arm / spindle clearance issues with 15" wheel). I know any issue that I may have using a 15" wheel on a drop spindle, will disappear if I use 20's. Mike
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The Fleet........ 68' Camaro - 1st car (restored & still have it) 09' VW Tiguan (Wife's Daily Driver) 14' VW Passat SE TSI (my personal) 14' Ford Edge Sport (Daily Work Vehicle) 73' SWB Stepside - 77K org. miles 74' LWB 454/TH400 - drive train transplant for my (Sold) 98' SWB C1500 W/T - shop truck (Sold) 90' GMC Sierra SLE short step - aka " Jezabelle " (Sold) |
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#2 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,698
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
ALWAYS use drop spindles over any kind of "drop pocket" designed a-arm.
(aka DJM a-arms) Just my opinion,... but DJM "drop pocket" lower a-arms should never be used, due to the scrubline issues with the "pocket" of the a-arm hanging so low.
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Baytown TX
Posts: 2,219
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
I don't like these either, looks like it might need a skid plate so not to hang up on obstacles.
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John 82 Chevy Silverado 350ci/TH350 ![]() |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Asheville, N.C.
Posts: 785
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
use spindles, the drop arms dont make much sense to me being that they are so close to the ground, i scrape my subframe the time and it sits about as high as the picture above. but be careful, 3 inch spindles usually require larger wheels or less than 4 inches of backspacing to clear the knuckle with the front wheels.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Hutto
Posts: 109
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
Spindles preserve steering and suspension geometry. All other methods compromise geometry. It's that simple.
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#6 |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
As well as they dont alter your ride. My rule is spindles first, then springs or bags.
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Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" |
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#7 |
Diggin The SquareLife
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: garland,tx
Posts: 1,933
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
go with spindles and are you gona use the spring and hangers with the flip kit?? that's gona be like 9"-10" drop in the rear if u use both the spring and hangers with the flip kit
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Centreville, Virginia
Posts: 846
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
All good comments men. I am going use spindles and springs (2.5" spindles / 1"-2" springs) and a flip kit (no notch). The truck is going to be a garage queen next to my Camaro so, I doubt there will be any heavy loads or towing with the Ol' Girl. Which spindles would be the best with a 15" wheel. DJM , Western Chassis , CPP? What are you running?
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The Fleet........ 68' Camaro - 1st car (restored & still have it) 09' VW Tiguan (Wife's Daily Driver) 14' VW Passat SE TSI (my personal) 14' Ford Edge Sport (Daily Work Vehicle) 73' SWB Stepside - 77K org. miles 74' LWB 454/TH400 - drive train transplant for my (Sold) 98' SWB C1500 W/T - shop truck (Sold) 90' GMC Sierra SLE short step - aka " Jezabelle " (Sold) |
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#9 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,698
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
Belltech
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#10 |
Diggin The SquareLife
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: garland,tx
Posts: 1,933
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
western chassis
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Centreville, Virginia
Posts: 846
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
Seems I managed to pull together some free money so the drop is going forward. Let's hear about some of you personal recommendations on the following (going with 15x6 factory steel wheels and painted dog dish hubcaps):
2.5" drop spindles Rear flip kit (no notch) Drop shocks Mike
__________________
The Fleet........ 68' Camaro - 1st car (restored & still have it) 09' VW Tiguan (Wife's Daily Driver) 14' VW Passat SE TSI (my personal) 14' Ford Edge Sport (Daily Work Vehicle) 73' SWB Stepside - 77K org. miles 74' LWB 454/TH400 - drive train transplant for my (Sold) 98' SWB C1500 W/T - shop truck (Sold) 90' GMC Sierra SLE short step - aka " Jezabelle " (Sold) |
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#12 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Houston,Tx
Posts: 780
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
3" spindles with 3" drop springs and a half turn cut off.tear is a 6" flip kit with 2" drop hangers....only issue i ran into using the rallys is the lower control arm hits the rim when turning lock to lock(tubulars or cutting off some of the control will solve that) and the tierod arm was hitting the rim..nothing my trusty ginder couldnt take care of..as a result i had to run my weights on the outside but the beauty ring covers that up...but still able to run my rallys..
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1966 C10 Mary 1972 C10 Cheyenne "Betty" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=847364 1976 C35 Sierra Grande "Mr. Harvey" 1979 C10 Silverado "The BIG TEN" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=841339 1982 C10 Silverado "Lucy" C10 Club Texas -HMIC |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Centreville, Virginia
Posts: 846
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
Quote:
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The Fleet........ 68' Camaro - 1st car (restored & still have it) 09' VW Tiguan (Wife's Daily Driver) 14' VW Passat SE TSI (my personal) 14' Ford Edge Sport (Daily Work Vehicle) 73' SWB Stepside - 77K org. miles 74' LWB 454/TH400 - drive train transplant for my (Sold) 98' SWB C1500 W/T - shop truck (Sold) 90' GMC Sierra SLE short step - aka " Jezabelle " (Sold) |
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Houston,Tx
Posts: 780
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
Dont know what happened with the bottom pic...lol..
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1966 C10 Mary 1972 C10 Cheyenne "Betty" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=847364 1976 C35 Sierra Grande "Mr. Harvey" 1979 C10 Silverado "The BIG TEN" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=841339 1982 C10 Silverado "Lucy" C10 Club Texas -HMIC |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: oswego illinois
Posts: 49
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
Hey sweet truck! What is the tire size on that? With that much drop did you notch the back or any other frame/body modifications? Also what kind of drop shocks do you have? That look is sweet man!
Thanks Carter |
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#16 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Houston,Tx
Posts: 780
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
Thx brother... im running 215/75 front and 235/75 rear. .ya i had to do a cnotch if not i would bottom out all the time..im using some shortened shocks for now..i just got some shock extenders and im goin to get some belltech dropshocks soon..
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1966 C10 Mary 1972 C10 Cheyenne "Betty" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=847364 1976 C35 Sierra Grande "Mr. Harvey" 1979 C10 Silverado "The BIG TEN" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=841339 1982 C10 Silverado "Lucy" C10 Club Texas -HMIC |
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#17 |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
You had your phone rotated wrong side up when you snapped the pic.
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Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" Last edited by N2TRUX; 01-06-2016 at 10:21 PM. |
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#18 |
driving is in my blood
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 5,720
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
I've used belltech and DJM 3" drop spindles for 73-87's with 15" rims and no issues. Wouldn't do DJM again though as their quality isn't good. Western chassie, if they make a 3", would be my go to now. I always use them for flip kits and springs.
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-78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me. |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Centreville, Virginia
Posts: 846
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
Let me see pictures of that 78' short bed ...... I will be swapping a big block / Muncie combo in mine when the money is right
__________________
The Fleet........ 68' Camaro - 1st car (restored & still have it) 09' VW Tiguan (Wife's Daily Driver) 14' VW Passat SE TSI (my personal) 14' Ford Edge Sport (Daily Work Vehicle) 73' SWB Stepside - 77K org. miles 74' LWB 454/TH400 - drive train transplant for my (Sold) 98' SWB C1500 W/T - shop truck (Sold) 90' GMC Sierra SLE short step - aka " Jezabelle " (Sold) |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Centreville, Virginia
Posts: 846
|
Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
Thanks guys. I am a big Bell Tech fan after acquiring all of my drop parts for my last truck. What sucks is selling all of it to pay some bills....... I guess that is the sign of a stand up guy who will sell his toys to take care of his family. I just can see my self paying $645 for 3" spindles, a 6" flip kit, and the 8005/8511 drop shock combo from Bell Tech, at one time.
__________________
The Fleet........ 68' Camaro - 1st car (restored & still have it) 09' VW Tiguan (Wife's Daily Driver) 14' VW Passat SE TSI (my personal) 14' Ford Edge Sport (Daily Work Vehicle) 73' SWB Stepside - 77K org. miles 74' LWB 454/TH400 - drive train transplant for my (Sold) 98' SWB C1500 W/T - shop truck (Sold) 90' GMC Sierra SLE short step - aka " Jezabelle " (Sold) |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Centreville, Virginia
Posts: 846
|
Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
Looking at (2) separate complete kits (spindles,shackles,spring hangers, shocks) from The Suspension Source:
Opt. # 1 Western Chassis 2.5" drop spindles 4" Shackle / Spring Hanger Kit Bell Tech Nitro 2 front shocks Bell Tec Nitro 2 rear shocks $ 564.98 shipped Opt. # 2 Bell Tech 3" drop spindle 4" Shackle / Spring Hanger Kit Bell Tech Nitro 2 Rear Shocks Bell Tech Nitro 2 Front Shocks $ 659.96 shipped I am leaning towards Bell Tech since I have had their products before. What do you guys think? $100 more for a 1/2" on paper???
__________________
The Fleet........ 68' Camaro - 1st car (restored & still have it) 09' VW Tiguan (Wife's Daily Driver) 14' VW Passat SE TSI (my personal) 14' Ford Edge Sport (Daily Work Vehicle) 73' SWB Stepside - 77K org. miles 74' LWB 454/TH400 - drive train transplant for my (Sold) 98' SWB C1500 W/T - shop truck (Sold) 90' GMC Sierra SLE short step - aka " Jezabelle " (Sold) |
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#22 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,698
|
Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
Forget the shackle hanger kit.
Do a flip kit.
__________________
Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#23 | |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
|
Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
Quote:
Do this and save money.
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Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Weare,NH
Posts: 1,592
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
I did,
2.5 Western Chassis spindles, clears 15x8 rally wheels Western Chassis rear drop hanger kit. Stock shocks. Unless you are slamming the truck you can skip the drop shocks. I paid $150 for the drop hanger kit and $250 for the spindles. |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port St. Joe Fl.
Posts: 494
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Re: Drop Spindles or Dropped Lower Control Arms
Does anyone have a photo of a installed Flip Kit? To see what it looks like under the truck.
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