FRONT DROP (arms, coils, spindles, no bags?) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sactoC10 · 12-18-2003, 12:28 PM

There are those of us out here who are not thrilled about airbag suspension, yet we still want our trucks low and lower.

Has anyone run the combination of lower tubular control arms, with drop coils and drop spindles to get the front down less than 6 inches? If so, how did it work out? It seems do-able, as the only item that changes the factory geometry are the shorter coil springs...no?

SCOTI · 12-18-2003, 12:53 PM

My combo is 2.5" western chassis dropped spindles & 1 coil cut from the stock springs. It's prob equal to about a 5.5-6" front drop. I couldn't go anymore w/o removing the inner wheel tubs.

Since I don't have the combo your inquiring about, I can only tell about what info I learned while seeking answers to various questions. I believe the manufacturers of both don't recommend using their products in a combination because you would end up w/some severe tie-rod & a-arm angles.

Dropped a-arms affect the suspension geometry the same as cutting springs or installing shorter springs. The ride won't change because your just dropping the location of the spring seat, but the geometry changes. Now add in shorter springs & this exaggerates the effects. As for adding the spindles, my guess is you'll start having some interference issues w/the tie-rods/calipers & rim b.spacing.

sactoC10 · 12-18-2003, 02:47 PM

Well I have a spring and spindle drop, but it seems that it could be lower without having to use bags. I'm not really interested in swapping out lower control arms, for I've heard bad things about them hanging low... but I thought it was worth asking.

Thanks.

**John Fabris** · 12-18-2003, 03:50 PM

We did a 64 GMC 1/2 ton, used 2" drop lower control arms, 2" drop springs, and 2" drop spindles, and man that thing sat low!! Went to drive it, and every time you step on the brakes, the front end would bottom out!!!! Went back to stock springs with one coil cut out, and seems to be holding OK.

sactoC10 · 12-18-2003, 04:39 PM

Have a picture anywhere of that ride? Here's mine as I noted, and you can clearly see that I have plenty of room and clearance to get a inch or two lower. I'll be getting 245 tires on there next week to replace the 235's, but that won't make much of a difference.

sactoC10 · 12-18-2003, 04:40 PM

oops, forgot to add picture

FRENCHBLUE72 · 12-18-2003, 11:22 PM

Sacto you got side view pic's of your ride you could post????

Glen · 12-18-2003, 11:55 PM

dont forget though, the reason we run bags is so we can lift the thing up to get in and out of driveways without ripping the bumpers off.

I find the whole up and down thing to be embarrassing and try not to use them when in public.

sactoC10 · 12-19-2003, 01:28 AM

I haven't been happy yet with the profile, so I've not yet taken that picture! Soon, very soon...maybe a week or two. Jeff

Low69CST · 12-19-2003, 02:05 AM

sactoC10, just curious why you don't like air bags. They seem to be the way to do a serious drop and still have any claim to ride quality.

12-18-2003, 12:28 PM	#1
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	FRONT DROP (arms, coils, spindles, no bags?) There are those of us out here who are not thrilled about airbag suspension, yet we still want our trucks low and lower. Has anyone run the combination of lower tubular control arms, with drop coils and drop spindles to get the front down less than 6 inches? If so, how did it work out? It seems do-able, as the only item that changes the factory geometry are the shorter coil springs...no?

12-18-2003, 12:53 PM	#2
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,031	My combo is 2.5" western chassis dropped spindles & 1 coil cut from the stock springs. It's prob equal to about a 5.5-6" front drop. I couldn't go anymore w/o removing the inner wheel tubs. Since I don't have the combo your inquiring about, I can only tell about what info I learned while seeking answers to various questions. I believe the manufacturers of both don't recommend using their products in a combination because you would end up w/some severe tie-rod & a-arm angles. Dropped a-arms affect the suspension geometry the same as cutting springs or installing shorter springs. The ride won't change because your just dropping the location of the spring seat, but the geometry changes. Now add in shorter springs & this exaggerates the effects. As for adding the spindles, my guess is you'll start having some interference issues w/the tie-rods/calipers & rim b.spacing. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

12-18-2003, 02:47 PM	#3
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	hmmm... Well I have a spring and spindle drop, but it seems that it could be lower without having to use bags. I'm not really interested in swapping out lower control arms, for I've heard bad things about them hanging low... but I thought it was worth asking. Thanks.

12-18-2003, 03:50 PM	#4
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	We did a 64 GMC 1/2 ton, used 2" drop lower control arms, 2" drop springs, and 2" drop spindles, and man that thing sat low!! Went to drive it, and every time you step on the brakes, the front end would bottom out!!!! Went back to stock springs with one coil cut out, and seems to be holding OK. __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

12-18-2003, 04:40 PM	#6
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	oops, forgot to add picture Attached Images

12-18-2003, 04:39 PM	#5
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	Have a picture anywhere of that ride? Here's mine as I noted, and you can clearly see that I have plenty of room and clearance to get a inch or two lower. I'll be getting 245 tires on there next week to replace the 235's, but that won't make much of a difference.

12-18-2003, 11:22 PM	#7
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	Sacto you got side view pic's of your ride you could post???? __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

12-18-2003, 11:55 PM	#8
Glen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 189	dont forget though, the reason we run bags is so we can lift the thing up to get in and out of driveways without ripping the bumpers off. I find the whole up and down thing to be embarrassing and try not to use them when in public.

12-19-2003, 01:28 AM	#9
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	not yet I haven't been happy yet with the profile, so I've not yet taken that picture! Soon, very soon...maybe a week or two. Jeff

12-19-2003, 02:05 AM	#10
Low69CST Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA Posts: 2,163	sactoC10, just curious why you don't like air bags. They seem to be the way to do a serious drop and still have any claim to ride quality. __________________ '69 CST Short fleetside Lowered, 400 small block, 700R4, 4 wheel disc brakes, front sway bar & rear camaro sway bar (in progress) '87 V10 4x4 Short Fleetside Quad Suspension and Dual Tanks



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