Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Yeah, I got a flip-kit for the rear (the kit said 5", but you never know). I'm thinking about getting a shackle replacement for the extra couple of inches I'm gonna be looking for. I'm sure a c-notch is in order, as well. As far as the front, I was thinking about getting a set of 2" lower springs, but do you think cutting off a coil will do the same thing?

[tommie]

Originally Posted by HumbleChevyBuddy

Yeah, I got a flip-kit for the rear (the kit said 5", but you never know). I'm thinking about getting a shackle replacement for the extra couple of inches I'm gonna be looking for. I'm sure a c-notch is in order, as well. As far as the front, I was thinking about getting a set of 2" lower springs, but do you think cutting off a coil will do the same thing?

i would buy the springs if you have the money...

some people just cut the springs...

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

My buddy said that as long as I don't mount the rims/tires I can exchange them. What size tire do you guys recommend? I'm new to this, so any help you guys can provide will be greatly appreciated...as always.

[nlped]

I am going to be putting drop spindles on my '76 Blazer this weekend and am replacing the coil springs that are on it now with new Moog coil springs. But, I will be starting out by cutting a round off of the coil spring before I install them . It's cheaper to do it this way than to pay the additional $50+ for a drop spring, in my opinion.

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Is the ride quality affected by cutting a coil, as oppose to a new set of drop springs?

[nlped]

Not if you are cutting a new set of replacement coil springs. If you are cutting the original springs, it won't really change the ride quality that the o.e. spring is providing now. But considering the o.e. springs age, it is a great idea to replace them with the drop spring or a new cut factory style spring IMO.

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Good luck with your install this weekend. I think I'll just buy some new drop springs. What type of shocks are you guys running for your lowered trucks?

[flamingbig10]

I got these when they were only $70
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G726/

[nlped]

Originally Posted by flamingbig10

I got these when they were only $70
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G726/

To much of a drop for this dude...But your truck looks FANTASTIC. flamingbig10

[flamingbig10]

Originally Posted by nlped

To much of a drop for this dude...But your truck looks FANTASTIC. flamingbig10

thanks, tucking the tread on 27" tire is where its all at

[nlped]

^^^ The roads here are not small tire friendly. Lots of gravel, pot holes, and critters

[Chlsnk]

So was this project ever completed i would really like some follow up pictures since I will be installing drop spindles soon.

[N2TRUX]

On these old trucks it could be several things. Your going to have to measure carefully and eliminate things as you go. It could be tweaked frame, weak springs, etc.

All I know for sure is the truck looks sweet. If you get the urge to part with it, look me up.

[craazy22]

Sweet looking truck man. I had the same problem and it end up being body bushings. Lmk if you need help with anything bro. I live by jfk and beltway.
Posted via Mobile Device

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

On these old trucks it could be several things. Your going to have to measure carefully and eliminate things as you go. It could be tweaked frame, weak springs, etc.

All I know for sure is the truck looks sweet. If you get the urge to part with it, look me up.

I'll check everything this weekend and see what it is. I'll make sure I add you to my will, cuz that's the only way I'll let this one go!

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

wrong! the groves are in the lca so you have to clock the spring at the bottom.and put the top pig tail in the slot up top

I've been focusing on the passenger side when maybe it's actually the drivers side I installed incorrectly....duh!!! I'll check that this weekend and see what I find. Hopefully it's that easy!

Originally Posted by craazy22

Sweet looking truck man. I had the same problem and it end up being body bushings. Lmk if you need help with anything bro. I live by jfk and beltway.
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks for the offer, bro! I really appreciate that! I'll probably order my bushings this weekend, so hopefully I get them in time to do it all next weekend. I'll hit you up if I run into any issues. I've done a body lift on a previous truck, so it's pretty straight forward....I hope. You're not too far from me. I'm behind the Walmart on the beltway and Wilson in Park Lakes.

I crawled up under there tonight and so far I noticed one of the body mounts on the passenger side is about a 1/4" shorter than the other side. So, I'm pretty sure it's going to be a combination of things and the body mounts may just be one part of it. For those of us who are good with angles, we all know that 1/4" of an inch at the pivot point could potentially be a larger angle at the open end of the angle. So, maybe this 1/4" is all it is (it's a stretch, but give it to me).

Anyway, I'll get up under there this weekend and check this all out....updates to come.

[justpball]

^LOL^ yea that will work. Nice looking truck bro! love steppers

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Originally Posted by justpball

^LOL^ yea that will work. Nice looking truck bro! love steppers

Thanks! Well, I've got some good news and bad news. The good news is I think I figured out exactly what the leaning issue is. The bad news is I feel like a moron not noticing it earlier. When I went under to check the mounts, I only checked the cab mounts. Had I check the core support body mounts I would have noticed the following...doh!!!!! Duh!!! That will make it lean alright! Even better news, my boys don't have baseball practice tonight, so I'm going to get going on it just after work.

I'll keep you all posted.

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Ok, so as you all can see from the pic I posted above, there is no upper core support bushing. This explained my "gangsta lean". While I was removing the old bushing, it seems like the bolt and sleeve are stuck together. My question is this, does the bolt screw into that sleeve? Or is it just a metal sleeve like the ones that come in the new bushing kit? I tried hammering the bolt up and it would not budge....I even used a BFH. I even tried to use a jack to jack just the bolt up, but still nothing. It almost looks like the bolt, washer, and sleeve are all rusted together...or it could just be that it screws into it. I'm just not sure.

In the meantime, I put the new upper bushing in place to mock everything up. I also noticed something else while I was doing that. The center of the bushing does not fit perfectly into the hole on the frame bracket. I'm assuming it has to fit directly into the hole so it seats properly. The good thing is that after I mocked it up, I measured and we're about a 1/4" higher now on the passenger side than on the driver's side. But this might be because the bushing didn't "seat" properly into the frame bracket. I still haven't replaced the other bushings, just mocked up the passenger side core support mounts to see if this was my issue.

I'm wondering now if maybe the bolt being off-center may be causing the body not to be centered properly and possibly causing what appears to be a wheel spacing issue.

Can someone give me some advice and pointers on this? Also, do I have to remove the bumper to get to those core support bushing bolts?

I ran out of time and need to run over to the hardware store for some new bolts, so I'll have to finish this up over the weekend....dang

[SS Delux]

Same thing happened to me when I was doing bodywork, but instead of the bushings the whole rad cradle was rotted out and caused the front end to sag. Just wondering if you can run stock 15 inch rims with a 3 inch drop spindle. Looks great and keep the pics comin.

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Originally Posted by SS Delux

Same thing happened to me when I was doing bodywork, but instead of the bushings the whole rad cradle was rotted out and caused the front end to sag. Just wondering if you can run stock 15 inch rims with a 3 inch drop spindle. Looks great and keep the pics comin.

Thanks, I'm running 20's with a 5" drop up front. I'm sure you can run a stock 15" wheel with just a 3" drop spindle. The question may be what size tires you're going to be running on those 15's.

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Ok, well I'm back, once again, with good news and bad news. The good news is that installing new body mount bushings fixed my "gansta lean" I was having. It was crazy what I found under there. The passenger core support bushing was completely gone on top of the frame. Also, there was no bolt or lower bushing on the passenger rear cab mount, so I was only riding on the upper bushing on the passenger side from the front cab mount. I had to cut the passenger core support bolt, since it was so rusted into the bushing sleeve. I had asked on a separate post what size the core support bolts are. Just so everyone is aware, I tried using 1/2" X 12 X 4" and they were too long. I didn't want to go back to the hardware store again, so I just used a spacer above the core support. I'm going back to the hardware store today to get some shorter ones. I'm pretty sure a pair of 1/2" X 12 X 3" will probably work.

Now, on to the bad news. It appears I have some frame damage The front passenger core support wasn't lining up right in the middle support mount opening. It's not off my much, but it's obviously causing that not to line up and also causing my front passenger wheel to be sitting further in, about 1 1/2". I'll start calling around and getting some quotes from local shops that can fix this for me, but in the meantime, here are a pic of my truck after I installed the new body mount bushings. Also, I should get the frame fixed before getting an alignment, right?

[KQQL IT]

I may be wrong, but it looks like the sway bar is still hooked up when you trying to split the ball joints? Its seemed easier without that insalled?

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

I may be wrong, but it looks like the sway bar is still hooked up when you trying to split the ball joints? Its seemed easier without that insalled?

I actually unbolted the sway bar and just had it laying on top of the LCA. It just turned out I needed a bigger hammer.

I have a feeling I should start a new thread. I jumped from my spindle issue to my body alignment issues and now to frame damage. Sorry guys!

[KQQL IT]

Ok i couldnt tell, just call it a build thread..