How Much Drop - Help

[thump426er]

Hi there.
I don't know how much drop my truck has and I have a couple things planned ahead where I'm going to need to know.
I like the amount of the front, I'm planning to throw some disc brakes on all 4 corners so will need to know what spindle to keep the same height up front. May be a bit ignorant at the moment to this also, maybe all the drop is just in the coils??? Switching to 5 lug so I can throw some different rims on as well.
Out back I'd like to C-notch and drop another couple inches to get it a bit more level. I like some rake but not as much as it has.
From the pics here is there any way to get a good line of what drop has been done front and rear. Additional pics below.
Maybe someone has some stock measurements which I could figure out the drop from??
Appreciate any help.

[thump426er]

A few more

[Mr Handy]

If I were to guess you have a 3"-5" drop.

My truck has a very similar stance with a couple of differences.
my truck is a longbed and I have 4"drop springs in the back (in theory equal to 5" springs on a short bed) I have 2.5" drop Spindles and stock height springs up front.

A couple of things to keep in mind. There are more than one kind of drop spindle. Most will widen your front track which is already wider than the rear. This is not an issue if you plan to run staggered rims such as 6" up front and 8" rear. If you can spec you backspacing all the better.

if you are planning to swap axle shafts make sure to get the correct length. 71/72 axle shafts will not swap in to a 68 axle. They are to long.

Do a ton of research and I suggest ECE as a Company... absolutely wonderful customer service and very knowledgeable as well... if you email them with your questions and measurements of the truck they will know what springs are in it, and they can help you get the parts you need to do the disk swap and get it riding where you want it.

[CST10]

Looks like a 3/5 drop to me. I have the same stance on my SWB stepside. My LWB fleetside has a 2/4 drop on it. Actually the LWB looks lower.

[67 cst swb]

I would say it's a 3" Front and 4" rear.
My memory is that with a 5" rear spring, you are sitting ON the rubber snubber. This is still over an inch away from the snubber still.
But that's just my .02 cents

[Mike C]

The front looks like 2 1/2" spindles and 2" springs to me, and I'd guess 5" spring in the rear. Maybe a block as well? 4 1/2"/6" drop as long as we're guessing!

[67 cst swb]

Can't be a 2-1/2" spindle as it's still drum brakes.
There is no block in the rear as seen it the picture above and there is
no way he could have a 6" rear spring with the bump stop still in there.

My guess is that the guy was on a budget and wanted a low truck with an old school rake to it.
So, he bought 3" front coils (or possibly cut the coil), then bought 4" rear springs for the 1" rake look.

[67 cst swb]

Originally Posted by CST10

Looks like a 3/5 drop to me. I have the same stance on my SWB stepside. My LWB fleetside has a 2/4 drop on it. Actually the LWB looks lower.

My guess is the reason your LWB looks lower is that a LWB fleetside is much heavier than a SWB stepside and a 462cid is much heavier than a 250cid 6 cyl.

[Mike C]

Originally Posted by 67 cst swb

Can't be a 2-1/2" spindle as it's still drum brakes.
There is no block in the rear as seen it the picture above and there is
no way he could have a 6" rear spring with the bump stop still in there.

My guess is that the guy was on a budget and wanted a low truck with an old school rake to it.
So, he bought 3" front coils (or possibly cut the coil), then bought 4" rear springs for the 1" rake look.

Check this again. Spindle has been cut and welded for drop, maybe as much as 4" just on the spindle. Definitely no block in the back though. I missed that. That's my truck and I'm getting rid of that ASAP and putting discs on it and a forged spindle.

[67 cst swb]

Originally Posted by Mike C

Check this again. Spindle has been cut and welded for drop, maybe as much as 4" just on the spindle.

Wow!!! missed that one... I wondered why the spring looked so.... normal.

[CST10]

Originally Posted by 67 cst swb

My guess is the reason your LWB looks lower is that a LWB fleetside is much heavier than a SWB stepside and a 462cid is much heavier than a 250cid 6 cyl.

That might be the reason. I never thought of that being the possible cause. Thanks for that insite.

[thump426er]

Too funny. I looked at that and only thought to myself "that looks odd for the factory to do"
So looks like if I get drop spindles say 3", I can then play with coils if I want more up front since it appears to be spindle drop now. In back I can get shorter coils say in the 6" range if you guys are thinking they currently are in the 5" range.
Currently the back tires are about 1.5" taller than fronts which is adding to rake obviously. When I figure out rims/tires and all that I can get the diameters a bit closer to level it out too I guess.
Will have to do some searching for rim backspacing guys are running for the look I'd like to get..... and brake setup.
Would like to run some bigger 13/14" disc's up front with 6 piston Wilwoods and a 4 piston in back. Any suggestion where I'd find a good price and support? Still ECE?
Thanks a ton for the info and thoughts. Very appreciated.

[Mike C]

To each his own, but the factory brakes are pretty good with the 12" discs and 11" vented drums. Add a power booster and adjustable rear proportioning valve to get as much out of it as you can. Spend money where and when you have to. That $1000+ extra for those Wilwoods goes towards more motor or a build TH200 4R in my truck. A faster, variable ratio steering box would make the drive better than those brakes.

For a truck I'm going to drive, that's what I would do. (And am planning this exact swap next week on my '69 short step.) I'm going with ECE 2 1/2" drop spindles and 5 lug disc conversion along with 2" springs. I've got a '72 leaf rear that I'll set my 3.73 posi up in and install with a DJM flip (give or take 6" drop in the rear.) I'm going with 235 55 17 fronts and 275 55 17 rears which are 27 and 29 inches tall respectively. I'm hoping for a near level to slight rake stance. I'm adding a factory sway bar in 1 1/16" variety (because I have it) and KYB front shocks all the way around.