Help me get passed (lower) my 5/7 drop!

[prostreetC-10]

It's been hit on a time or two in my threads but I really want to address it now. Now that I have a 3 car garage, my truck doesn't get tarped up for the winter. This will be the first winter that I am going to really get some stuff done on it. A nice motor upgrade is just one of the things. The main thing is I am not happy with the truck's stance. I want just another 1" off the front and rear. Not much but I am told that the extra 1" will be only done with major modifications. I realize the back is a piece of cake. It's the front that seems to be the issue. Here is the setup:

'68 C-10 with DJM tubular lower control arms and 2" drop springs. The arms have a 3" dropped pocket. The truck rides great! Has drum spindle. DJM said that 2" spings was as much as I could go. They were right. As it is, my tie rods are as far up as they can safely go and still have a driveable geometry. I realize ideal is for them to be straight across. They are not. I would love to switch over at this time to disc brake. Seems like a simple solution to just get a drop disc spindle and be done. Maybe even get a 2"-3" dropped spindle and put an inch back into the spring to help the tie rod angle. Someone told me that the only thing I can do is to section the crossmemeber. That seems pretty severe to me for an extra inch.

What do you guys think????

[big_al_71]

you should do what I did and bag the truck it will ride even better than lowering springs. That was by far my favorite upgrade on my truck.

[prostreetC-10]

Only problem Al is that the budget is getting killed with the motor upgrade. We are going full roller with new slugs and head work.

[big_al_71]

Originally Posted by prostreetC-10

Only problem Al is that the budget is getting killed with the motor upgrade. We are going full roller with new slugs and head work.

Understood...Maybe do the motor and install it then save up for the air ride..

[lolife99]

If you add drop spindles, to your drop pocket a-arms,... your spring pocket in the lower arm will be dangerously close to the ground.

I suggest:
Add a stock lower a-arm.
2.5" drop spindles.
And a slight trim of your original 2" drop springs.
Done.

[lolife99]

A sectioned crossmember, frame "Z",... or Dropmember is the only way to gain ground clearance for your lower control arms.

[prostreetC-10]

IF you look at this pic, there is actually a ton of room under there. I swear this thing was a 4x4 in an earlier life! I'm seriously wondering if it might be a better idea to get away from the stepped spring pocketed lower A and go with a stock A arm + the dropped spindle.

[Frkypunk70]

I vote stock arms and drop spindle cheap easy upgrade and you could add discs to front at same time.
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[prostreetC-10]

Do they make 6 lug disc rotors? Would be nice if I didn't have to change the wheels.

[Frkypunk70]

I have 6 lug disc roters with 2.5 drop spindle....I think they are cpp. Work great! But do a 4.5 static because 5 was a little too much. But I have long tube headers so it might work better for you
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[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by prostreetC-10

I'm seriously wondering if it might be a better idea to get away from the stepped spring pocketed lower A and go with a stock A arm + the dropped spindle.

Yes, yes, and YES! This is your best choice because it will require you to get rid of those drum brakes.

Upgrade to stock arms (sell yours), drop spindles, and drop springs along with disc brakes and you have a winning combo.

[prostreetC-10]

Hey don't knock those drum brakes though. I have found if I put both feet and my 195 pounds on that little pedal, I can go from 60 to 0 in about the length of a football field!!
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[68Stepbed]

In comparison, this pic shows the difference in the stock LCA clearance. This is with 2.5" spindles and 1" drop springs with 255/60/15 tires.

[prostreetC-10]

Looks like this would hit 2 birds with the same brick.

http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...6370SWBK5S.htm

[OJ1988]

6 lug rotors from CPP on 73-87 spindles on my truck!

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by prostreetC-10

Looks like this would hit 2 birds with the same brick.

http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...6370SWBK5S.htm

Why switch to 73-87 spindles when you can buy bolt on 63-70 spindles?

[ortegamotor]

hey Lolife, here is my almost complete lwb version of your truck....

[prostreetC-10]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Why switch to 73-87 spindles when you can buy bolt on 63-70 spindles?

Those are 63-70 spindles. The ad is saying that they are upgraded with the better 73-87 BALL JOINTS.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by prostreetC-10

Those are 63-70 spindles. The ad is saying that they are upgraded with the better 73-87 BALL JOINTS.

Incorrect.
Those are 73-87 spindles.
CPP is still conning people with this stupid kit.
No need to change your upper and lower balljoints and tie rods.
(and use a $50-$60 tie rod adapter)
This is crazy from CPP when they actually sell a 63-70 conversion spindle also.

Go to www.performanceonline.com and buy a set of $219 63-70 spindles and add any 6-lug aftermarket rotor of your choice.
POL sells them also. (standard or cross drilled)

Add a 71-72 M/C and prop valve,... or better yet buy a new aluminum M/C (that won't rust) and an aftermarket prop valve.

In your case,... I would just buy a disc/drum M/C and add an adjustable Wilwood prop valve, plumbed it into the rear brake line.
(since you have larger diameter rear tires)

[Rusbuilt]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Incorrect.
Those are 73-87 spindles.
CPP is still conning people with this stupid kit.
No need to change your upper and lower balljoints and tie rods.
(and use a $50-$60 tie rod adapter)
This is crazy from CPP when they actually sell a 63-70 conversion spindle also.

Go to www.performanceonline.com and buy a set of $219 63-70 spindles and add any 6-lug aftermarket rotor of your choice.
POL sells them also. (standard or cross drilled)

Add a 71-72 M/C and prop valve,... or better yet buy a new aluminum M/C (that won't rust) and an aftermarket prop valve.

In your case,... I would just buy a disc/drum M/C and add an adjustable Wilwood prop valve, plumbed it into the rear brake line.
(since you have larger diameter rear tires)

Keith is right! I bought the grand slam kit from cpp and it changed everything to 73-87 and I had a hard time with a lot of little things like brake line sizes and the tie rod sleeves he's talking about. Definitely go with the 63-70 conversion spindles!

[OJ1988]

I swapped to 73-87 spindles, because I swapped to the newer a arms as well.

[ItsRandy]

Mine has stock lower control arms, 2.5" spindles and 2" springs, then I whacked 3/4 turn off of the springs. I don't have a good picture of how close the front cross member is to the ground, however, my floor jack just fits underneath. The spindles/brakes/lowering kit I got from Rob at NoLimit. Oh...and I have a big block if that helps.