Spindle Drop vs Spring Drop - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Orence1 · 02-10-2004, 01:38 AM

Have been planning on a drop package on my 72 LWB using spindles and springs in the front. Saw a truck with a stance that I really like this weekend. Owner indicated that he dropped the front end using 3" dropped springs and no spindles and that he was very happy with it. Could those of you in the know remind me again as to spring only drops as compared to spring/drop spindles?
Thanks,
Larry

miket · 02-10-2004, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Orence1
Have been planning on a drop package on my 72 LWB using spindles and springs in the front. Saw a truck with a stance that I really like this weekend. Owner indicated that he dropped the front end using 3" dropped springs and no spindles and that he was very happy with it. Could those of you in the know remind me again as to spring only drops as compared to spring/drop spindles?
Thanks,
Larry

Was this the green truck with the "killer" stance?

gr8scott51 · 02-10-2004, 02:04 AM

Larry, mine is a 3/5 drop with just springs and shocks. I now wish I had gone a little lower, but it rides good and I can still haul stuff in the bed. Do you want to drag in the weeds or what?

scott

Orence1 · 02-10-2004, 02:30 AM

Mike and Scott,
Yes, it was the LWB with the green body and the white top. Just struck me as exactly what I want. Scott, have you had any problems with your "steering geometry"? That is what I keep hearing about.
Larry

stllookn · 02-10-2004, 01:08 PM

The guy with that truck is really "old school" since he did 3" springs all the way around and thought the rear was still too high so he torched the springs until it looked good. He said it rides like a dream. He is local hot-rodder in Puyallup and did all the work, including paint, himself. It was a really nice job.

I was thinking about the drop springs vs spindles and remember that the "A" arms swing up on a slight angle even though they are theoretically a four bar linkage system (not to be confused with the rear end four bar linkage). When you use drop springs the wheel and tire swings up toward the top of the travel probably requiring a realignment. You also will have both a stiffer ride and less wheel travel. With the drop spindles (if you retain the stock springs), the wheel is offset on the spindle toward the top. The spring travel and ride remain the same and it should not need an alignment. The possible problem with spindles is that you might run into wheel clearance issues since the wheel is offset. Our 2.5 inch DJM spindles required grinding on 15 inch rims. This may not be the case if you go to 16 or larger rims...you are not going to do this...I know. You can't get all the drop you want with spindles anyway...you want 3 inches. I think 2.5 is the max with spindles. So you would need both spindles and springs to get there. Springs will be cheaper anyway...less than 1/2 the cost of spindles.

I think we went to 5/7 drop on Adam's truck requiring both spindles at about $275 and springs at about $115. Since his rearend is a leaf spring, the flip kit for the rear was only about $65. If you can find GM "A" body rear springs for $10 at the swap meet they are supposed to drop the rear about 4". I have some if you want to try them.

67chevemall · 02-10-2004, 01:31 PM

My truck is also "old school" drop with 4 cut coils!
It works like a dream. When you use spindels you get into clearence problems when you use chopped springs you run into front end alignment issues! Im still trying different spacers to get the alignment 100%.

Not to worry if you have lots of money for tires, for it only wears the outer 1 inche of the tire.

I started with my old springs that came with the truck and cut them till I liked the height then transfered the height to the brand new ones. Taking a bit more off for the new stiffness! Worked great, but time doesn't matter with beer!

gr8scott51 · 02-10-2004, 03:17 PM

After I rebuilt my front end, I took it to Les Schwab for an alignment. 3 hours later (and lots of shims), they got it done. They asked me not to bring them another such animal as $79 for an alignment isn't adequate to cover 3 men for 3 hours - LOL. They get lots of business from me, so I think they were kidding.

Scott

02-10-2004, 01:38 AM	#1
Orence1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 548	Spindle Drop vs Spring Drop Have been planning on a drop package on my 72 LWB using spindles and springs in the front. Saw a truck with a stance that I really like this weekend. Owner indicated that he dropped the front end using 3" dropped springs and no spindles and that he was very happy with it. Could those of you in the know remind me again as to spring only drops as compared to spring/drop spindles? Thanks, Larry

02-10-2004, 02:04 AM	#3
gr8scott51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 1,839	mine Larry, mine is a 3/5 drop with just springs and shocks. I now wish I had gone a little lower, but it rides good and I can still haul stuff in the bed. Do you want to drag in the weeds or what? scott __________________ Silence is golden, duct tape is silver. - Scott

02-10-2004, 01:08 PM	#5
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	The guy with that truck is really "old school" since he did 3" springs all the way around and thought the rear was still too high so he torched the springs until it looked good. He said it rides like a dream. He is local hot-rodder in Puyallup and did all the work, including paint, himself. It was a really nice job. I was thinking about the drop springs vs spindles and remember that the "A" arms swing up on a slight angle even though they are theoretically a four bar linkage system (not to be confused with the rear end four bar linkage). When you use drop springs the wheel and tire swings up toward the top of the travel probably requiring a realignment. You also will have both a stiffer ride and less wheel travel. With the drop spindles (if you retain the stock springs), the wheel is offset on the spindle toward the top. The spring travel and ride remain the same and it should not need an alignment. The possible problem with spindles is that you might run into wheel clearance issues since the wheel is offset. Our 2.5 inch DJM spindles required grinding on 15 inch rims. This may not be the case if you go to 16 or larger rims...you are not going to do this...I know. You can't get all the drop you want with spindles anyway...you want 3 inches. I think 2.5 is the max with spindles. So you would need both spindles and springs to get there. Springs will be cheaper anyway...less than 1/2 the cost of spindles. I think we went to 5/7 drop on Adam's truck requiring both spindles at about $275 and springs at about $115. Since his rearend is a leaf spring, the flip kit for the rear was only about $65. If you can find GM "A" body rear springs for $10 at the swap meet they are supposed to drop the rear about 4". I have some if you want to try them. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

02-10-2004, 01:31 PM	#6
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	My truck is also "old school" drop with 4 cut coils! It works like a dream. When you use spindels you get into clearence problems when you use chopped springs you run into front end alignment issues! Im still trying different spacers to get the alignment 100%. Not to worry if you have lots of money for tires, for it only wears the outer 1 inche of the tire. I started with my old springs that came with the truck and cut them till I liked the height then transfered the height to the brand new ones. Taking a bit more off for the new stiffness! Worked great, but time doesn't matter with beer! __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

02-10-2004, 03:17 PM	#7
gr8scott51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 1,839	Alignment After I rebuilt my front end, I took it to Les Schwab for an alignment. 3 hours later (and lots of shims), they got it done. They asked me not to bring them another such animal as $79 for an alignment isn't adequate to cover 3 men for 3 hours - LOL. They get lots of business from me, so I think they were kidding. Scott __________________ Silence is golden, duct tape is silver. - Scott

02-10-2004, 02:30 AM	#4
Orence1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 548	Mike and Scott, Yes, it was the LWB with the green body and the white top. Just struck me as exactly what I want. Scott, have you had any problems with your "steering geometry"? That is what I keep hearing about. Larry



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