Dropping the Front on the 64

[blackmopar]

ok - so there are a million threads that touch on this - I didnt know which to try and resurrect - plus my searches never find the actual topic im looking for anyway.

So this is my daily beater - Ive posted in its current form on some other threads - she hasnt seen much makeover lately - just been my reliable driver - and i lover her for it

SO - currently I only have CPP drop springs and shocks - 3 front and 4 rear.

I love where the rear is (although i need to get some airlift load bladders to haul much more than leaves and balsa wood) but the front is our focus here. There really was NO stance change up front with the drop springs from stock. Some reading leads me to believe its sort fo a hit or miss with how low these trucks go with static drops - sometimes I see guys where all they did was cut a coil from stock springs and they are sitting way lower than me.

Leads me to the actual topic:

Ive got the speedway (CPP) 2.5" drop spindles and disc kit that Im getting ready to install.

I want her to have a raked stance - similar to this dudes SWB - you think Im gonna get there with this drop kit only or am I gonna need to modify springs some more too??

[NCD1966]

well as i was reading i was thinking of you need to put some drop spindles on it. Since you are, try that and see how it comes out.

[blackmopar]

here is the rake im hoping to get - reasonable to think I should get there with 2.5" drops with the 3" CPP springs?

[blackmopar]

caffeine has started to subside - my real intent/point of this thread is hopefully someone with this kit/springs can tell me where Im gonna be sitting or what else I need to get to sit like this - as menitoend this is my DD and all my wrneching is done 70 miles from home at a buddies shop - when i did the spring drop about 2 years ago I was dissapointed with the outcome but had to get her back together so I dont have alotta trial and error time

[blackmopar]

here are a couple more that I would be ec'static' (pun intended) with!

[SIR]

This drop was done with 2 1/2 drop spindles & 1" drop springs when it settled down to aprox 3"...the rear is a 4" drop springs..we also went with a anti sway bar in front, cornering is great!!....

[blackmopar]

very nice SIR - looks like this is what I should expect then huh since sounds like you used exact same parts as I have - Wonder if I cut a half/full coil off my springs would get me a c-hair further ......... id like a bit more rake if I can

great looking longbed!

[protrash64]

With the coils and springs you will be at 5.5''. IMO it should be in the neighborhood of the gray truck with the tire just at the fender lip give or take a bit. I base this on my 64 SB with the same set-up although different manufacturers. Do you have a smallblock in that?? Dont know the weight of a 6-banger which would make a difference.

[forestb]

Here is mine with a 4.5 inch drop with 2 different tire sizes. I would say that a 5.5 inch drop would put the front cross member closer to the ground than I would like. My lower A arms scrape on stuff as it is. Also if you want that much of a rake I would be worried about sliding off the front seats.

[Slow Build]

Your picture at the top of the thread doesn't look lowered at all in the front. Are your springs seated right? Seems pretty high for have 3" drop springs in front. I wouldn't cut any more off of a the spring if in fact they are 3" drop spring. Back looks good though.

[blackmopar]

well - I ordered FCS6102-3 1963-72 Coil Springs front 3" drop, pair but they were black - the photo they now have are yellow!? I believe they are seated properly

this was a couple years ago at this point - wonder if they WERENT 3" drop springs - is there a way I can tell?

I do have a SBC 350

[protrash64]

I dont remember seeing any stamps or printing on my CPP coils; I think they may have to be gauged to tell.

If you decide to cut them, only cut a 1/2 coil at a time. I cut 1'' lowering springs one coil and turned them into 3'' drop really fast! You can check out my '66 thread and see. I wanted the truck about 1/2 to 1'' higher. Also the disc's will kick your front track out about 3/4'' each side, so tire diameter and rim width become a consideration.

Really opens the can of worms.

[blackmopar]

thanks for that info ProTrash. I will check your thread out - I know I need to get new front rims obviously since Ill have 5x5 up front - so I will need to compensate with 1" additional backsapcing to get the same 'track width' as I have now?

[XtechX]

Do you have the stock front springs still? If so maybe you can compare them to the springs you bought. It does look about stock height in the front.

[blackmopar]

Originally Posted by protrash64

I dont remember seeing any stamps or printing on my CPP coils; I think they may have to be gauged to tell.

.

any idea what they should mic to?

[blackmopar]

Originally Posted by XtechX

Do you have the stock front springs still? If so maybe you can compare them to the springs you bought. It does look about stock height in the front.

negative ghost rider - and I 'thought' I remember that they were a little taller but I could totally be wrong at this point

[gimmy 64]

i have 3 in. dropped springs for sale if you are interested.

[blackmopar]

Originally Posted by gimmy 64

i have 3 in. dropped springs for sale if you are interested.

Gimmy - its funny you bring that up as I just got off the phone with CPP and checking my order history I purchased the 2: drop spring for the front apparently - although I still am suspect that might have actually gott stock or 1" drop - anyway that dont matter now -

How much you want for them my slightly northern brother?

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by blackmopar

thanks for that info ProTrash. I will check your thread out - I know I need to get new front rims obviously since Ill have 5x5 up front - so I will need to compensate with 1" additional backsapcing to get the same 'track width' as I have now?

Yes if thats an issue to you, but mostly, if you get too low and widen the front your tires will contact the fender lip. My 6-lug ralleys with 235/70/15's rub just a little on some turns and if I turn and hit a bump or incline. I believe the tire is about 28'' in diameter. Like I said, thats the can of worms!!

Originally Posted by blackmopar

any idea what they should mic to?

None whatsoever.

[Narxoleptic Customs]

if u have ab 3" of tire sidewall just deflate the tire to see if ull like the way it looks. Its how i decided i needed to b 3" lower in the rear bc i liked the look one morning when i came out and my tire was flat.... If u have 2" springs now I wd not cut any off til u see how low the spindles drop u. And if u do cut, only cut 1/4 coil at a time so u can make adjustments for ride height side to side.
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[S-31]

Originally Posted by forestb

Here is mine with a 4.5 inch drop with 2 different tire sizes. I would say that a 5.5 inch drop would put the front cross member closer to the ground than I would like. My lower A arms scrape on stuff as it is. Also if you want that much of a rake I would be worried about sliding off the front seats.

What size tires are you running on this one in both pics?

[blackmopar]

not a bad idea Narx, thanks

[gcwhite]

Here is mine with 2.5 spindles and 3 inch springs in the front. 5 inch springs in the rear and I have 235/75-15 tires.

[blackmopar]

Originally Posted by gcwhite

Here is mine with 2.5 spindles and 3 inch springs in the front. 5 inch springs in the rear and I have 235/75-15 tires.

GC - attaboy! that looks pretty spot on to stance Im trying to get here - Did you stay with 6 lug or swap to 5? Did you need to mess with backspace for the new rims?

[blackmopar]

GCWhite and ProTrash......you both have the 2.5" drop spindles and 3" drop springs - for a total of 5.5" drop - do either of you have a ground clearance issue with your front crossmember?

someone raised that concern here (and Ive seen elsewhere) and I have a chance to grab 3" springs from Gimmy here but wanna make sure 5.5" total isnt too low for a static drop

thanks all!