Belltech lowering spindles

[dec010974]

Hello to all. I have a set of Belltech #31200, lowering spindles that were basically given to me. My c10 is a 1980 squarebody. I want to know can I jerry rig and use these spindles for my suspension? I have referenced the ball joint/tie rod part numbers and it seems that the upper ball joint seems to differ. Is it possible to use an upper control arm from a 1971 or 1972 c10? the Belltech spindle I have is spec'ed for a 1971-72 c10 truck. Safety is priceless to me. Thanks in advance, Clark.

[dec010974]

it also seems that the tie rods are different. Hhhhhhmmmmmm, this changes everything.

[5spd540]

I would say sell them and buy the correct parts for your application.

[PGSigns]

The ball joint will go right in your arms. If you go to the 60 to 66 section in the FAQ section there are good threads on spindle swaps. We put the 73 and up stuff in our truck all the time. There are solutions in there for the tie rods also.
Jimmy

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by dec010974

Hello to all. I have a set of Belltech #31200, lowering spindles that were basically given to me. My c10 is a 1980 squarebody. I want to know can I jerry rig and use these spindles for my suspension? I have referenced the ball joint/tie rod part numbers and it seems that the upper ball joint seems to differ. Is it possible to use an upper control arm from a 1971 or 1972 c10? the Belltech spindle I have is spec'ed for a 1971-72 c10 truck. Safety is priceless to me. Thanks in advance, Clark.

Change your upper ball joint and outer tie rod to the 71-72 version and you will be good to go.

[dec010974]

@PGSigns, and @lolife99, thank you. I figured someone would know the answer.

[dec010974]

Hello to all. Just to update this thread, I bought the necessary parts to use the Belltech spindles. I'm trying to install the rotors, onto the spindles but the castle nut is blocking the cotter pin hole. Is anyone familiar with this? If I tighten the castle nut, to install the cotter pin, the rotors spins with a lot of resistance. I would like to use a shorter castle nut. I assume a shorter castle is not an option. Thanks in advance. Clark.

[lolife99]

Are you sure you have the correct bearings?

[dec010974]

ill check that out.

[dec010974]

Hello. I check the bearings, new and old, and they appear to be the same. I installed the old bearings with the safety washer and castle nut and the same results, I can't get the castle without jamming up the rotor.

[lolife99]

Did you get the wrong rotors?
They make two different rotors for the 73-87 trucks..
1" and 1.25" width.

[dec010974]

Well, I spoke to a tech guy from Bellevue and he stated that the rotors, 1.25 thick are the correct rotors. He asked me to send/email pics, which I will, and he told me he will get back to me. Maybe there was a ma honing error or something. I'm tempted to buy the correct spindles and call it a day. So my free to me, spindles aren't free at all. They actually cost more since I bought tie rods and upper ball joints for the '71-'72 C10. My truck has been torn down for a week, immobile on Jack stands and the wife is looking at cross eyed. It might be down for another trying to sort out these issues. The results of this acquisition boils down to time and money, which one do you want to spend?

[dec010974]

A shorter castle nut, washer combo may do the trick, but I don't want to compromise safety.

[dec010974]

I inspected all (4) castle nuts, stock and lowering spindle, and they are all the same. I went to the auto parts store and purchased a new brake, rotor assembly just see if there is a difference from the old brake rotor. The new brake rotor assembly cost me 60 bucks. I know some of you are thinking why buy a new assembly, but I want to learn from this experience. As I think about dilemma over and over, i wonder if i can mill the castle nut a few thosandths, so that the cotter pin can be installed. problem solved, right? I would hate to spend $120.00 to solve a $10.00 solution. Ill post pics and inform you all of the results.

[dec010974]

Hey y'all. I made it thru the woods. I ended up cutting the castle nut basically in half. I was able to install the cotter pin, once the cuts were made. Tell me what you think. I'm back in the game

[dec010974]

I want this lower. Is this considered a 5/7 drop?

[dec010974]

I really want this.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by dec010974

I really want this.

That's gonna require air bags and a pile of $$$

[bbbc10]

yea that's bagged'

[dec010974]

hHllo to all. That photo was posted on the McGaughys 1973-87, 4.5/6 Drop kit. @Lolife99 @bbc10 you guys are lying. That has to be static suspension truck. Why would McGaughy's lie?

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by dec010974

hHllo to all. That photo was posted on the McGaughys 1973-87, 4.5/6 Drop kit. @Lolife99 @bbc10 you guys are lying. That has to be static suspension truck. Why would McGaughy's lie?

Easy now there. You don't want to step into the water too deep.

That truck you pictured above is absolutely on air. It doesn't matter what a website shows, it's wrong. I've personally lowered countless trucks statically since the late 80's so I speak from experience. Keith is right there with me on experience too. Hell, my current squarebody is lowered 6/9 static with 3" spindles and 3" springs in the front and flip kit, shackles, and dearched leafs in the rear, and it's still no where near as low that bagged truck.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by dec010974

@Lolife99 @bbc10 you guys are lying. That has to be static suspension truck. Why would McGaughy's lie?

Wow, never been accused of lying on here before. Ha

That black truck is VERY well known in the truck world.
It's called "Black Widow" and is owned by Jose Pena of Drops R Us.
It's gone through many transformations including running a supercharge LS engine, to its current single turbo LS engine.
But one thing about the trucks built by Jose Pena at Drops R Us,... they run giant 405/25-24 rear tires and they are bagged.

Do some research before you call someone a lier.
Good luck with your build,....

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Wow, never been accused of lying on here before. Ha

That black truck is VERY well known in the truck world.
It's called "Black Widow" and is owned by Jose Pena of Drops R Us.
It's gone through many transformations including running a supercharge LS engine, to its current single turbo LS engine.
But one thing about he trucks built by Jose Pena at Drops are Us,... they run giant 405/25-24 rear tires and they are bagged.

Do some research before you call someone a lier.
Good luck with your build,....

Class and tact all in one response.

Here is an excerpt from the article in Truckin Magazine on that black truck...

"To make the square-body lay out, Jose had to fabricate his own A-arms, and he then installed Firestone airbags, QA1 shocks, along with 14-inch Wilwood big brakes. Out back, the ladder bar and Firestone sleeved airbag setup was retained, but new Ride Tech adjustable shocks were bolted to the narrowed 12-bolt rearend with 4.30 gears. With the 15-inch-wide wheels slapped onto the axle and the air out the 'bags, the C10 had a completely new look, but that was just phase one."

[bbbc10]

wow!!! all I have to say is good luck with your build.

[gringoloco]

Well, that's new...