Drop spindles verses Droped A-Frames - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

66farmer · 10-07-2010, 09:25 AM

I'm rebuilding a 78 front end to install in my 66 so I need to order the rebuild parts and items to lower it. There is a shop in Portland Oregon called Charley's Drop Shop he talked to me about the advantages of the Dropped A-Frames. I have never lowered a rig before so I want to make the right call the first time. So is anyone using the Dropped A-Frames and is there advantages to it verses the drop spindles.
Thanks

**lolife99** · 10-07-2010, 10:38 AM

I see no advantage over a drop spring unless you are keep your truck a drum brake truck.
This is not the case with you, and I would still just run a drop spring. (3" max)

All they do is lower the spring pocket in the lower a-arm.
This is the "contact point" for road hazards,... in most lowered trucks.
I don't know why you would want to have anything hanging down lower than the stock a-arm.
If you are doing a mild drop (3" or less) they will work.
Also,... you shouldn't combine them with a drop spindle.

In my opinion,... the drop spindle/drop spring combo is the best.

ol_skool_chevy · 10-07-2010, 11:38 PM

Charley's Drop Shop is VERY well known for his dropped a-arms...they can be used with or without bags...and his a-arm were really well knowns and writen about in Truckin' mag for years....
Dont go to Jason at the Old Drop shop though....I have got nothing but crappy service from him.
Go to the NEW Charley's and ask for ROB Zeller he was the original owner and the original builder of the drop A-arm

Charley's 503-758-2689

66farmer · 10-08-2010, 09:37 AM

Ol what type of drop need you use and how much. I'm leaning toward a spindle and sping drop, were can I buy the items needed.
Thanks

ol_skool_chevy · 10-08-2010, 11:08 AM

Theres all types of places you can buy drop kits...
just search online C-10 drop kit
theres places like Brothers, LMC, Charley, CPP, Slam Specialties.
Im sure theres a spot here on this forum too...
drop spindles and springs seem easy.

oldcrow71 · 07-11-2012, 11:14 PM

I just picked up my 2.5" drop lower control arms from Charley. Been talking to him for a couple months on my plans. Had everything done at home or in friends garages and he was still happy to give all the advice I wanted. I wanted to keep the drums on my '61 and after talking a bunch with Charlie I decided to loose the torsion bars and use bags on my factory arms that he just finished doing the Z on since I already have the back end notched and on bags. Charley is now 60 (I think) and is not great on the computer. I told him that since he helped me so much that I would get his web sight and Facebook going again with current pictures and info. I have never seen a guy with more passion for these C10's and am just glad to have meet him. If you are in Portland I would recommend him for anything you want lowered the right way. His new shop is a ways out, just off of SE 174th Ave and Powell Blvd. his new number is 503-780-2155. The shop is called "Charley's Original Drop Shop" not just Charley's Drop Shop. I have heard of the guy using the name out on 33rd ave is turning out sub work and has burned several people I have meet in the car club circle here in Portland Oregon. That is why I feel strong about helping him get the new shop name out. Give him a call and let him know that John sent you over. I will get pictures up of the arms later tonight. Sorry this was such a long ramble, just hate seeing good people get burned

oldcrow71 · 07-11-2012, 11:17 PM

forgot to mention that his web page is www.charleysdropshop.com

oldcrow71 · 07-12-2012, 01:24 AM

here are the 2.5" drop lower control arms for my '61......... will be going on the truck this weekend. should put my crossmember within an inch of the asphault. I can't wait

10-07-2010, 09:25 AM	#1
66farmer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Plains Oregon Posts: 684	Drop spindles verses Droped A-Frames I'm rebuilding a 78 front end to install in my 66 so I need to order the rebuild parts and items to lower it. There is a shop in Portland Oregon called Charley's Drop Shop he talked to me about the advantages of the Dropped A-Frames. I have never lowered a rig before so I want to make the right call the first time. So is anyone using the Dropped A-Frames and is there advantages to it verses the drop spindles. Thanks

10-07-2010, 10:38 AM	#2
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,696	Re: Drop spindles verses Droped A-Frames I see no advantage over a drop spring unless you are keep your truck a drum brake truck. This is not the case with you, and I would still just run a drop spring. (3" max) All they do is lower the spring pocket in the lower a-arm. This is the "contact point" for road hazards,... in most lowered trucks. I don't know why you would want to have anything hanging down lower than the stock a-arm. If you are doing a mild drop (3" or less) they will work. Also,... you shouldn't combine them with a drop spindle. In my opinion,... the drop spindle/drop spring combo is the best. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 Last edited by lolife99; 10-07-2010 at 10:41 AM.

10-07-2010, 11:38 PM	#3
ol_skool_chevy Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 Posts: 1,300	Re: Drop spindles verses Droped A-Frames Charley's Drop Shop is VERY well known for his dropped a-arms...they can be used with or without bags...and his a-arm were really well knowns and writen about in Truckin' mag for years.... Dont go to Jason at the Old Drop shop though....I have got nothing but crappy service from him. Go to the NEW Charley's and ask for ROB Zeller he was the original owner and the original builder of the drop A-arm Charley's 503-758-2689 __________________ Measure with a yard stick Mark with Chalk Cut with a torch Built it yourself, don't count on others to to do it for you or with you. It will never get done Last edited by ol_skool_chevy; 10-07-2010 at 11:49 PM.

10-08-2010, 09:37 AM	#4
66farmer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Plains Oregon Posts: 684	Re: Drop spindles verses Droped A-Frames Ol what type of drop need you use and how much. I'm leaning toward a spindle and sping drop, were can I buy the items needed. Thanks

10-08-2010, 11:08 AM	#5
ol_skool_chevy Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 Posts: 1,300	Re: Drop spindles verses Droped A-Frames Theres all types of places you can buy drop kits... just search online C-10 drop kit theres places like Brothers, LMC, Charley, CPP, Slam Specialties. Im sure theres a spot here on this forum too... drop spindles and springs seem easy. __________________ Measure with a yard stick Mark with Chalk Cut with a torch Built it yourself, don't count on others to to do it for you or with you. It will never get done

07-11-2012, 11:14 PM	#6
oldcrow71 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Vancouver Washington Posts: 6	Re: Drop spindles verses Droped A-Frames I just picked up my 2.5" drop lower control arms from Charley. Been talking to him for a couple months on my plans. Had everything done at home or in friends garages and he was still happy to give all the advice I wanted. I wanted to keep the drums on my '61 and after talking a bunch with Charlie I decided to loose the torsion bars and use bags on my factory arms that he just finished doing the Z on since I already have the back end notched and on bags. Charley is now 60 (I think) and is not great on the computer. I told him that since he helped me so much that I would get his web sight and Facebook going again with current pictures and info. I have never seen a guy with more passion for these C10's and am just glad to have meet him. If you are in Portland I would recommend him for anything you want lowered the right way. His new shop is a ways out, just off of SE 174th Ave and Powell Blvd. his new number is 503-780-2155. The shop is called "Charley's Original Drop Shop" not just Charley's Drop Shop. I have heard of the guy using the name out on 33rd ave is turning out sub work and has burned several people I have meet in the car club circle here in Portland Oregon. That is why I feel strong about helping him get the new shop name out. Give him a call and let him know that John sent you over. I will get pictures up of the arms later tonight. Sorry this was such a long ramble, just hate seeing good people get burned

07-11-2012, 11:17 PM	#7
oldcrow71 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Vancouver Washington Posts: 6	Re: Drop spindles verses Droped A-Frames forgot to mention that his web page is www.charleysdropshop.com

07-12-2012, 01:24 AM	#8
oldcrow71 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Vancouver Washington Posts: 6	Re: Drop spindles verses Droped A-Frames here are the 2.5" drop lower control arms for my '61......... will be going on the truck this weekend. should put my crossmember within an inch of the asphault. I can't wait Attached Images

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