Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Is the ride quality affected by cutting a coil, as oppose to a new set of drop springs?

[nlped]

Not if you are cutting a new set of replacement coil springs. If you are cutting the original springs, it won't really change the ride quality that the o.e. spring is providing now. But considering the o.e. springs age, it is a great idea to replace them with the drop spring or a new cut factory style spring IMO.

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Good luck with your install this weekend. I think I'll just buy some new drop springs. What type of shocks are you guys running for your lowered trucks?

[flamingbig10]

I got these when they were only $70
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G726/

[nlped]

Originally Posted by flamingbig10

I got these when they were only $70
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G726/

To much of a drop for this dude...But your truck looks FANTASTIC. flamingbig10

[flamingbig10]

Originally Posted by nlped

To much of a drop for this dude...But your truck looks FANTASTIC. flamingbig10

thanks, tucking the tread on 27" tire is where its all at

[nlped]

^^^ The roads here are not small tire friendly. Lots of gravel, pot holes, and critters

[Chlsnk]

So was this project ever completed i would really like some follow up pictures since I will be installing drop spindles soon.

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by HumbleChevyBuddy

chrismoore701 - Yeah, I even went as far as removing the nut completely and jumping on a crowbar WITHOUT the jack and still nothing.

You are Darwin worthy....

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Sorry, I never posted my after pics on this thread. My fault. I finally finished the drop, but for some reason my passenger side wheels seem to sit about -1 1/4" further in than my driver side. I'm not sure if it's my passenger or driver's side, but I don't really notice any major issues with the frame. I could be wrong, though. I've been on a money crunch for a bit, so I still haven't finished the back. I did a flip kit, but still want to go another 1-2" back there.

I also have another issue with the passenger side sitting about 3/4-1 1/2" lower than my driver side. I'm not sure what that is, but it varies after I drive it a bit. I was thinking about putting a spacer under the spring, but I'm not sure how big of a spacer I need because of the fluctuation. Do you all think this may be the shocks (I still haven't replaced them yet) that may be causing this fluctuation in height?

I've been dealing with an electrical issue with my headlights and turn signals as well and just got that all figured out last night. I went ahead and replaced all the light harnesses up front and that seemed to fix it. I also added some custom tail-lights out back. I'm gonna be using a piece of diamond plate for the bed floor instead of the traditional wood bed kit. Anyhow, here are my updated pics:

[mooseknuckles]

Originally Posted by HumbleChevyBuddy

Sorry, I never posted my after pics on this thread. My fault. I finally finished the drop, but for some reason my passenger side wheels seem to sit about -1 1/4" further in than my driver side. I'm not sure if it's my passenger or driver's side, but I don't really notice any major issues with the frame. I could be wrong, though. I've been on a money crunch for a bit, so I still haven't finished the back. I did a flip kit, but still want to go another 1-2" back there.

I also have another issue with the passenger side sitting about 3/4-1 1/2" lower than my driver side. I'm not sure what that is, but it varies after I drive it a bit. I was thinking about putting a spacer under the spring, but I'm not sure how big of a spacer I need because of the fluctuation. Do you all think this may be the shocks (I still haven't replaced them yet) that may be causing this fluctuation in height?

I've been dealing with an electrical issue with my headlights and turn signals as well and just got that all figured out last night. I went ahead and replaced all the light harnesses up front and that seemed to fix it. I also added some custom tail-lights out back. I'm gonna be using a piece of diamond plate for the bed floor instead of the traditional wood bed kit. Anyhow, here are my updated pics:

you must have wheels with different offsets in them? maybe you have two back wheels on one side and two front ones on the other? try measuring the backspace.....make sure the springs are seated properly, sounds like one of them isn't. they sit in the spring pockets a certain way. my truck sits lower on the driver side but only by 1/2"

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

I actually measured from the rotor hub and completely removed the possibility of the issue being with the wheels. For the spring issue, I noticed the truck had a spacer within the spring coils it had before the swap. I'm assuming it was to compensate for this issue. I've checked and reinstalled the springs many times thinking the same thing, as well. I made sure they're in the grooves for the bottom part of the spring.

Just not sure if maybe anyone has seen something else like this. I haven't changed out the cab mounts, I just thought about that. Anyone think it could be that?

[N2TRUX]

On these old trucks it could be several things. Your going to have to measure carefully and eliminate things as you go. It could be tweaked frame, weak springs, etc.

All I know for sure is the truck looks sweet. If you get the urge to part with it, look me up.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by HumbleChevyBuddy

I actually measured from the rotor hub and completely removed the possibility of the issue being with the wheels. For the spring issue, I noticed the truck had a spacer within the spring coils it had before the swap. I'm assuming it was to compensate for this issue. I've checked and reinstalled the springs many times thinking the same thing, as well. I made sure they're in the grooves for the bottom part of the spring.

You need to "clock" the TOP of the coil spring,... not the bottom.
It must seat around a ring up in the spring pocket.
Don't worry about the bottom.

[3r!c84]

Originally Posted by lolife99

You need to "clock" the TOP of the coil spring,... not the bottom.
It must seat around a ring up in the spring pocket.
Don't worry about the bottom.

wrong! the groves are in the lca so you have to clock the spring at the bottom.and put the top pig tail in the slot up top

[craazy22]

Sweet looking truck man. I had the same problem and it end up being body bushings. Lmk if you need help with anything bro. I live by jfk and beltway.
Posted via Mobile Device

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

On these old trucks it could be several things. Your going to have to measure carefully and eliminate things as you go. It could be tweaked frame, weak springs, etc.

All I know for sure is the truck looks sweet. If you get the urge to part with it, look me up.

I'll check everything this weekend and see what it is. I'll make sure I add you to my will, cuz that's the only way I'll let this one go!

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

wrong! the groves are in the lca so you have to clock the spring at the bottom.and put the top pig tail in the slot up top

I've been focusing on the passenger side when maybe it's actually the drivers side I installed incorrectly....duh!!! I'll check that this weekend and see what I find. Hopefully it's that easy!

Originally Posted by craazy22

Sweet looking truck man. I had the same problem and it end up being body bushings. Lmk if you need help with anything bro. I live by jfk and beltway.
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks for the offer, bro! I really appreciate that! I'll probably order my bushings this weekend, so hopefully I get them in time to do it all next weekend. I'll hit you up if I run into any issues. I've done a body lift on a previous truck, so it's pretty straight forward....I hope. You're not too far from me. I'm behind the Walmart on the beltway and Wilson in Park Lakes.

I crawled up under there tonight and so far I noticed one of the body mounts on the passenger side is about a 1/4" shorter than the other side. So, I'm pretty sure it's going to be a combination of things and the body mounts may just be one part of it. For those of us who are good with angles, we all know that 1/4" of an inch at the pivot point could potentially be a larger angle at the open end of the angle. So, maybe this 1/4" is all it is (it's a stretch, but give it to me).

Anyway, I'll get up under there this weekend and check this all out....updates to come.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

wrong! the groves are in the lca so you have to clock the spring at the bottom.and put the top pig tail in the slot up top

What do you do when you trim 1/2 coil off?

[3r!c84]

Originally Posted by lolife99

What do you do when you trim 1/2 coil off?

you have to clock the bottom so it sits in the grove

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

you have to clock the bottom so it sits in the grove

Next time you have a spring out,... look up in the spring pocket.
There is a "D" shaped ring that matches the upper spring pigtail.
It can only go in one way,... or it will set on top of the ring.
Maybe your truck is different.

Sorry about the hijack of this thread.

[3r!c84]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Next time you have a spring out,... look up in the spring pocket.
There is a "D" shaped ring that matches the upper spring pigtail.
It can only go in one way,... or it will set on top of the ring.
Maybe your truck is different.

Sorry about the hijack of this thread.

yes but the sping pig tail at the top is bigger then the D at the top so it can sit any way.what matters is the bottom of the spring fitting into the lca arm seat.

and yes you could cut 1/4 and 1/2 of a coil off aslong as you seat it in the lca.
ive done both

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Next time you have a spring out,... look up in the spring pocket.
There is a "D" shaped ring that matches the upper spring pigtail.
It can only go in one way,... or it will set on top of the ring.
Maybe your truck is different.

Sorry about the hijack of this thread.

No worries, it's always good to learn new things. I'm going to see how I have it on mine this weekend. Hopefully it's just that easy. Updates coming soon...

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Next time you have a spring out,... look up in the spring pocket.
There is a "D" shaped ring that matches the upper spring pigtail.
It can only go in one way,... or it will set on top of the ring.
Maybe your truck is different.

Sorry about the hijack of this thread.

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

yes but the sping pig tail at the top is bigger then the D at the top so it can sit any way.what matters is the bottom of the spring fitting into the lca arm seat.

and yes you could cut 1/4 and 1/2 of a coil off aslong as you seat it in the lca.
ive done both

Technically, you're both correct.

The tops of the springs seat within the x-member in a specific orientation but they can be rotated 'slightly' & still work. Similarly, the lower end of the spring does not 'have to' seat in the indent (cut a half coil off & it won't). It does typically make it a 'no brainer' to use the indent to ensure the L/R coils are clocked symetrically.

[primrrd]

Glad you got er to break loose.
One bfh (big freakin hammer) is good- but 2 is better.
I was taught by an old shop teacher to hold one bfh (or have someone hold it) to one side, then wail on the other side with another bfh on either side where the ball joint taper passes.
When I spindled my truck I whacked it mayber 4 or 5 times and it popped.
Kind of a back up/like an anvil, or something.
Good trick none-the-less for your bag of tricks in the future.
truck is bueno!
Im in clear lake- your neighbor to the south of htown!

[primrrd]

BTW...
are those the chrome boss 338's?
2 questions:
- did you get em locally?
- what are the measurements/tire size, if you please?