lowered control arms instead of spindles ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Boog** · 10-03-2010, 10:58 PM

How many of you have lowered control arms with coil springs? I've seen a few. I know the aftermarket ones are pricey so how many of you mod your own and do you lower the ball joint end of it or drop the spring cups? Any clearance issues with a 2 or 3" lca with 15" rims?
Looks like a good alternative to spindles that push out the wheels and for less money too.

YBNORML · 10-03-2010, 11:18 PM

I've never tried them on a full size truck.
I did have them in an s-10, they were horrible for ground clearance.
Posted via Mobile Device

hotrodhomi · 10-03-2010, 11:34 PM

I had them on my blazer before I bagged it. They caused horrible bump steer. I could not recommend them if you care about performance.

**lolife99** · 10-03-2010, 11:37 PM

Drop spings will accomplish the same for less money.
I'm not sure you want to combine drop springs and a "drop pocket" style lower control arm, or a raised ball joint style.

**Boog** · 10-04-2010, 12:05 AM

My thinking is stock springs for a stock ride and the dropped arms to get it down a little bit. That's why I'm asking you guys who have more lowering experience than me.

I've seen an article or thread on doing the lca somewhere. Been a few years I think.

68Stepbed · 10-04-2010, 08:30 AM

I think fatboys69 did a LCA swap on his truck. You could try a search and see what you come up with.

Mondo · 10-04-2010, 02:46 PM

I bought a pair for my 72 about 10 years ago... along with 2in dropped springs. Back then it was a toss up between spindles and lowered control arms. Basically just a 2in dropped bucket for the springs.
Had no problems, I think they trimmed them a bit for rim clearance. But the buckets were the low point. I looked for the company a couple years ago but they were out of business (I think it was something like "SoLow").

scrapmetalart · 10-04-2010, 03:37 PM

I have been looking at these...

http://www.djmsuspension.com/product...ol%20arms.html

I was thinking that with the price of dropped spindles, new ball joints. new businngs & cleaning & painting my old control arms. The price of the new lower control arms dosent look that bad....

fatboys69 · 10-04-2010, 03:46 PM

Yes I did put a set on my truck, they are Control Freaks, they are 1-1/2" drop arms with 2-1/2" drop McGauhy spindles and stock springs. With the front and rear swaybars it handles like it is on rails !!!. There was a photo install in Truck Builder a couple of years ago showing all the pics that we took . I like them, no problems with bumpsteer. Runnin 18's and 20's also, no tire rub whatsoever, front or rear.

wkends · 10-04-2010, 04:27 PM

I had a set and took them off and sold them. I got tired of dragging them every where I went. I went with dropped spindles and springs now its a lot better.

Slammed67 · 10-05-2010, 12:37 AM

I have a set of the DJM 4" lower control arms on my 2000 GMC. Not sure I'd go that route again because there is some noticeable bump steer. However, I wanted to keep my stock wheels which wouldn't work with drop spindles and springs. Also, if you end up buying the DJM LCAs, don't buy the matching DJM shocks! They are way too stiff.

10-03-2010, 10:58 PM	#1
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,661	lowered control arms instead of spindles ? How many of you have lowered control arms with coil springs? I've seen a few. I know the aftermarket ones are pricey so how many of you mod your own and do you lower the ball joint end of it or drop the spring cups? Any clearance issues with a 2 or 3" lca with 15" rims? Looks like a good alternative to spindles that push out the wheels and for less money too. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

10-03-2010, 11:18 PM	#2
YBNORML Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 3,844	Re: lowered control arms instead of spindles ? I've never tried them on a full size truck. I did have them in an s-10, they were horrible for ground clearance. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ --------------------------------------------------------------- Jason. 68’ GMC shortbox https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=794201 72' 2WD Blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=425385 67' LongBox C-10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=691845 InstaGram ybnorml67

10-03-2010, 11:34 PM	#3
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	Re: lowered control arms instead of spindles ? I had them on my blazer before I bagged it. They caused horrible bump steer. I could not recommend them if you care about performance. __________________ '72 2wd blazer, bagged w/ watts link & EDC '72 C10 "Lowered Farm Truck" STOLEN 5-18-11 '66 impala ht

10-03-2010, 11:37 PM	#4
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,717	Re: lowered control arms instead of spindles ? Drop spings will accomplish the same for less money. I'm not sure you want to combine drop springs and a "drop pocket" style lower control arm, or a raised ball joint style. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

10-04-2010, 12:05 AM	#5
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,661	Re: lowered control arms instead of spindles ? My thinking is stock springs for a stock ride and the dropped arms to get it down a little bit. That's why I'm asking you guys who have more lowering experience than me. I've seen an article or thread on doing the lca somewhere. Been a few years I think. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross Last edited by Boog; 10-04-2010 at 12:06 AM.

10-04-2010, 08:30 AM	#6
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	Re: lowered control arms instead of spindles ? I think fatboys69 did a LCA swap on his truck. You could try a search and see what you come up with. __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system

10-04-2010, 02:46 PM	#7
Mondo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bakersfield, Ca Posts: 538	Re: lowered control arms instead of spindles ? I bought a pair for my 72 about 10 years ago... along with 2in dropped springs. Back then it was a toss up between spindles and lowered control arms. Basically just a 2in dropped bucket for the springs. Had no problems, I think they trimmed them a bit for rim clearance. But the buckets were the low point. I looked for the company a couple years ago but they were out of business (I think it was something like "SoLow").

10-04-2010, 03:37 PM	#8
scrapmetalart Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DAYTON Posts: 505	Re: lowered control arms instead of spindles ? I have been looking at these... http://www.djmsuspension.com/product...ol%20arms.html I was thinking that with the price of dropped spindles, new ball joints. new businngs & cleaning & painting my old control arms. The price of the new lower control arms dosent look that bad.... __________________ frontstreetcycle on Instagram Last edited by scrapmetalart; 10-04-2010 at 03:42 PM.

10-04-2010, 03:46 PM	#9
fatboys69 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dayton, Tennessee Posts: 447	Re: lowered control arms instead of spindles ? Yes I did put a set on my truck, they are Control Freaks, they are 1-1/2" drop arms with 2-1/2" drop McGauhy spindles and stock springs. With the front and rear swaybars it handles like it is on rails !!!. There was a photo install in Truck Builder a couple of years ago showing all the pics that we took . I like them, no problems with bumpsteer. Runnin 18's and 20's also, no tire rub whatsoever, front or rear.

10-04-2010, 04:27 PM	#10
wkends Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 37	Re: lowered control arms instead of spindles ? I had a set and took them off and sold them. I got tired of dragging them every where I went. I went with dropped spindles and springs now its a lot better.

10-05-2010, 12:37 AM	#11
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	Re: lowered control arms instead of spindles ? I have a set of the DJM 4" lower control arms on my 2000 GMC. Not sure I'd go that route again because there is some noticeable bump steer. However, I wanted to keep my stock wheels which wouldn't work with drop spindles and springs. Also, if you end up buying the DJM LCAs, don't buy the matching DJM shocks! They are way too stiff. __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra



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