Which is better..lower pocket a-arm or drop spindles? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ftw80 · 07-24-2002, 04:37 PM

It seems the diffferent a-arm would be stronger than spindles.
Charley's drop shop in Oregon does factory arms with dropped spindles. He claims it is a better set up than spindles. His prices are cheaper than spindles also. Anyone ever done business with them? He used to have a www but it is no more.

fastbagged68 · 07-24-2002, 04:39 PM

Spindles, the lower arm hang to low and will become clearance problems

vfrdude · 07-24-2002, 05:00 PM

I've had tubular lower control arms for about 10 years now, and I've never ran into any clearance problems...I originally had 4" drop springs in the front, which caused the front crossmember to hit the ground on occasion.

The control arms have a 2.5" drop built into them, and I added a 1/2" drop spring for a total of 3".

Smooth68 · 07-24-2002, 05:31 PM

I have always used dropped a-arms (about 4 different trucks) over spindles and probably will. I've seen the inside of too many wheels get destroyed from clearance problems on trucks with spindles, plus the idea of trimming off part of my factory a-arm doesn't excite me. The only problem I ever seen with a-arms would be the urathane bushing noise, which isn't really a probem.

70 Jimmy · 07-24-2002, 07:55 PM

Charley's is a reputable place. I didn't go with A arms because of the horror stories about them breaking. Probably not true for Charley's though. I've seen his work and it is heavy duty. If you go with a 2.5" spindles you won't have a clearance problem with rims. It's the old 3" one's that will give you trouble with some rims. They don't make them anymore so if you stay with a reputable dealer (Early Classics, Classic Performance Parts, and the board dealers), you'll have no problem. Aren't drop A arms the lower only? If so, they would alter the upper's position. If you decide to go with Charley's, try DC Truck parts
( http://www.dctruckparts.com/frameset.htm ) for pricing. Talk to Dave and ask him if he can beat Charley's pricing. He gets his from Charley at a great price and he may be willing to cut into some profit, especially if you buy some other things. Tell him Mike from Corvallis sent you. By the way, how's Hawaii? I lived in Aiea for 4 years and really miss it. What is the name of the hamburger place in Haleiwa? Send me a burger and a Big Sumo Pizza from Big Kahunas!!!!! Good Luck.

jay-dawg · 07-24-2002, 08:18 PM

sup man,

OT of your thread but how is your truck coming along. Last I heard there were fish eyes in your paint job. Anything new?

jay

ftw80 · 07-25-2002, 06:04 AM

70 jimmmy...Kua aina is the burger joint in Haleiwa. Now they have one in town(ward center) and in Tokyo. They still make the best burger. Never her of Big Kahunas but will check it out.

I am lowereing a 3/4 longhorn and until recently, I did not know spindles were available. I also need to see if my a-arms are 3/4 or 1 ton.

Hawaii is great but sometimes it is nice to be on the mainland open roads. I will be there in August and may drive a '71c10 cross country form KY to CA.

Jay...still working on getting the truck back together. Doubt I will have it on the road before October. How is your ride?

Thanks

jay-dawg · 07-25-2002, 01:52 PM

My ride? Well, same as last year I guess....still the same rust bucket. I got to wrenching again this summer. Getting the carb rebuilt so that she'll run again (I hope). Hopefully will get some new front fenders for christmas. For now, I'm getting some excercise getting those rusty bolts off. (hmm. time to invest in a 2 stage 60 gallon compressor

)

jay

70 Jimmy · 07-25-2002, 02:24 PM

Big Kahuna's is near the airport, headed towards the Tripler Army Hospital, just off Nimitz. I think there is a Infinity dealer at the corner of that cross road. Sorry about taking up space on the message board guys. Where do you get drop spindles for a 3/4 ton? I didn't think there were any available.

jay-dawg · 07-25-2002, 03:47 PM

Big Kahunas is in the Mapunapuna area.

i've tasted the big kahuna balls (garlic puffs) and it's pretty good. I think its close to where you got that pic painted of your truck ftw80.

jay

ChevLoRay · 07-25-2002, 04:00 PM

I used spindles from Early Classic Enterprises on my '69 1/2-ton..2.5-inch drop, 15-inch wheels and no contact with lower control arms. On my sons' 96 1/2ton GMC, we used spindles from DJM and had to change the front wheels to some with less than 3.5-inches of back spacing to avoid contacting the lower arms. If we had gone to a larger diameter wheel, esp. a 17-inch wheel, there would not have been a problem.

ftw80 · 07-25-2002, 05:43 PM

wb72 posted the info on the 3/4 spindles http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=19274

nice to have the option but $409 is $$$

Jay is correct, that pizza joint is next to where I rented the paint booth. I heard it was good but have not had a chance to check it out.

70 Jimmy · 07-25-2002, 07:00 PM

ChevLoRay, You should never have that problem with the spindles now made for our trucks. 2.5" drop spindles won't rub.

07-24-2002, 04:37 PM	#1
ftw80 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: hawaii Posts: 268	Which is better..lower pocket a-arm or drop spindles? It seems the diffferent a-arm would be stronger than spindles. Charley's drop shop in Oregon does factory arms with dropped spindles. He claims it is a better set up than spindles. His prices are cheaper than spindles also. Anyone ever done business with them? He used to have a www but it is no more. __________________ Haleiwa, Hi. 1972 Custom Camper Cheyenne Super c/20 Longhorn 402bb 78k a/c, tach, tilt, tool stowage 48panhead 74 bronco 71 bronco http://noscade.com No Scade is pidgin English for "not scared" similar to "no fear". Last edited by ftw80; 07-24-2002 at 07:22 PM.

07-24-2002, 05:00 PM	#3
vfrdude Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Oakley, Ca. USA Posts: 137	I've had tubular lower control arms for about 10 years now, and I've never ran into any clearance problems...I originally had 4" drop springs in the front, which caused the front crossmember to hit the ground on occasion. The control arms have a 2.5" drop built into them, and I added a 1/2" drop spring for a total of 3". __________________ Rudy Fierros '95 Honda VFR750F Used to have a '71 Chevy Stepside, Guards Red, Lowered 4" rear, 3" front, White Oak bed wood, 700R4 w/373 gears until some low life stole it!

07-24-2002, 05:31 PM	#4
Smooth68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: West Fork, Arkansas - Razorback Country Posts: 1,826	I have always used dropped a-arms (about 4 different trucks) over spindles and probably will. I've seen the inside of too many wheels get destroyed from clearance problems on trucks with spindles, plus the idea of trimming off part of my factory a-arm doesn't excite me. The only problem I ever seen with a-arms would be the urathane bushing noise, which isn't really a probem. __________________ Smooth68's Web Site WTB 64-66 project or frame/cab, SWB or LWB...I have the fever! Whatcha got?? '68 Short Step - Shaved Body, Soon Bagged - *SOLD* Driver-2004 GMC Z-71 Ext-cab Last edited by Smooth68; 07-24-2002 at 05:39 PM.

07-24-2002, 07:55 PM	#5
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	Charley's is a reputable place. I didn't go with A arms because of the horror stories about them breaking. Probably not true for Charley's though. I've seen his work and it is heavy duty. If you go with a 2.5" spindles you won't have a clearance problem with rims. It's the old 3" one's that will give you trouble with some rims. They don't make them anymore so if you stay with a reputable dealer (Early Classics, Classic Performance Parts, and the board dealers), you'll have no problem. Aren't drop A arms the lower only? If so, they would alter the upper's position. If you decide to go with Charley's, try DC Truck parts ( http://www.dctruckparts.com/frameset.htm ) for pricing. Talk to Dave and ask him if he can beat Charley's pricing. He gets his from Charley at a great price and he may be willing to cut into some profit, especially if you buy some other things. Tell him Mike from Corvallis sent you. By the way, how's Hawaii? I lived in Aiea for 4 years and really miss it. What is the name of the hamburger place in Haleiwa? Send me a burger and a Big Sumo Pizza from Big Kahunas!!!!! Good Luck. __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"

07-24-2002, 08:18 PM	#6
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	sup man, OT of your thread but how is your truck coming along. Last I heard there were fish eyes in your paint job. Anything new? jay __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI

07-24-2002, 04:39 PM	#2
fastbagged68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tri Valley California Posts: 792	Spindles, the lower arm hang to low and will become clearance problems

07-25-2002, 06:04 AM	#7
ftw80 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: hawaii Posts: 268	70 jimmmy...Kua aina is the burger joint in Haleiwa. Now they have one in town(ward center) and in Tokyo. They still make the best burger. Never her of Big Kahunas but will check it out. I am lowereing a 3/4 longhorn and until recently, I did not know spindles were available. I also need to see if my a-arms are 3/4 or 1 ton. Hawaii is great but sometimes it is nice to be on the mainland open roads. I will be there in August and may drive a '71c10 cross country form KY to CA. Jay...still working on getting the truck back together. Doubt I will have it on the road before October. How is your ride? Thanks __________________ Haleiwa, Hi. 1972 Custom Camper Cheyenne Super c/20 Longhorn 402bb 78k a/c, tach, tilt, tool stowage 48panhead 74 bronco 71 bronco http://noscade.com No Scade is pidgin English for "not scared" similar to "no fear".

07-25-2002, 01:52 PM	#8
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	My ride? Well, same as last year I guess....still the same rust bucket. I got to wrenching again this summer. Getting the carb rebuilt so that she'll run again (I hope). Hopefully will get some new front fenders for christmas. For now, I'm getting some excercise getting those rusty bolts off. (hmm. time to invest in a 2 stage 60 gallon compressor ) jay __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI

07-25-2002, 02:24 PM	#9
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	Big Kahuna's is near the airport, headed towards the Tripler Army Hospital, just off Nimitz. I think there is a Infinity dealer at the corner of that cross road. Sorry about taking up space on the message board guys. Where do you get drop spindles for a 3/4 ton? I didn't think there were any available. __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"

07-25-2002, 03:47 PM	#10
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	Big Kahunas is in the Mapunapuna area. i've tasted the big kahuna balls (garlic puffs) and it's pretty good. I think its close to where you got that pic painted of your truck ftw80. jay __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI

07-25-2002, 04:00 PM	#11
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	I used spindles from Early Classic Enterprises on my '69 1/2-ton..2.5-inch drop, 15-inch wheels and no contact with lower control arms. On my sons' 96 1/2ton GMC, we used spindles from DJM and had to change the front wheels to some with less than 3.5-inches of back spacing to avoid contacting the lower arms. If we had gone to a larger diameter wheel, esp. a 17-inch wheel, there would not have been a problem. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

07-25-2002, 05:43 PM	#12
ftw80 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: hawaii Posts: 268	wb72 posted the info on the 3/4 spindles http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=19274 nice to have the option but $409 is $$$ Jay is correct, that pizza joint is next to where I rented the paint booth. I heard it was good but have not had a chance to check it out. __________________ Haleiwa, Hi. 1972 Custom Camper Cheyenne Super c/20 Longhorn 402bb 78k a/c, tach, tilt, tool stowage 48panhead 74 bronco 71 bronco http://noscade.com No Scade is pidgin English for "not scared" similar to "no fear".

07-25-2002, 07:00 PM	#13
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	ChevLoRay, You should never have that problem with the spindles now made for our trucks. 2.5" drop spindles won't rub. __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"



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