Drum drop spindles?

[foz]

crazy for not wanting to upgrade to disc brakes in the front, I know, but I want to keep my 6 lug drums up front on my '70 SWB stepper.

I've got 2" drop springs and wanted to get an additional 2.5" drop with spindles without the brake upgrade for a total of 4.5" in the front.

Is there anyone out there making these drop spindles yet?

[Mike J]

not that i'm aware of. but you can keep 6-lug and go to disc. That's what i did. used parts from CPP

[68 Stepside]

Originally Posted by Mike J

not that i'm aware of. but you can keep 6-lug and go to disc. That's what i did. used parts from CPP

I did the same, bought my kit from GMC Paul.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by foz

....Is there anyone out there making these drop spindles yet?

Not that I am aware of, and I doubt they ever will.

[foz]

How about lowered lower control arms?
Has anyone gone this route?

What are the good/bad? Who would you recommend purchasing them from?

[oldblue1968chevy]

cut some coils and get the same result?

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

cut some coils and get the same result?

he's already got the drop coils and any more is a N0-no for scrub line issues. The drop lower control arms also have scrub line issues. They do allow you to keep your drums and drop an additional 2.5", but you will have problems if you ever have a flat or major problems if you ever have a blow out on the front while driving....

...or as mentioned...get 6 lug discs....but then you also need to consider your prop valve/master/booster situation...

[foz]

any more is a N0-no for scrub line issues

Exactly why.

I remember a post where someone made their own drop lower arm by cutting out the spring pocket and welding in a new pocket out of large diameter pipe.

Anyone else remember this thread?

[oldblue1968chevy]

spraybombs

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=3450341

[foz]

Hey VA72C10,
I was looking at this thread of yours
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=404906&page=4
and noticed you used lca's with the ball joint cut off and welded back on in a raised postion for a drop.

any problems running like this? I would think the angle of the pocket would need to be adjusted. Any alignment issues?

[oldblue1968chevy]

I think its kinda like a drop spindle (doestn change geometry, or you can adj. the geometry...?)

[SCOTI]

Dropped coils & dropped a-arms will put the spring pocket well below the scrub line if using 15" wheels.

[N2TRUX]

It amazes me how much effort your willing to exert to avoid an upgrade that pertains to making your truck safer to drive.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Discs will help alot.

Order some pre 71 drop spindles from ECE, and some 6 lug rotors and a prop. valve

The rest can be bought at orielly, (calipers/pads/MC) If you REALLY have the $ to spend, rebuild the frontend. Or better yet get a 73+ k member and swap it all, 73+ DS seem to be cheaper and easier to find too!

[foz]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

It amazes me how much effort your willing to exert to avoid an upgrade that pertains to making your truck safer to drive.

No effort put forward yet, just a few posts.
Just trying to understand the options from all angles. I see this as a good thing-right?

I don't really like any of the options I'm seeing that are available to keep the drums for the short period so I think I'll just do the 2" spring drop up front and get the 2.5" extra I'm looking for later with spindles along with the brake upgrade.

Thanx for everyones help and concerns.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Dropped coils & dropped a-arms will put the spring pocket well below the scrub line if using 15" wheels.

makes sense now that you say that...I had read it posted it otherwise....I will edit my post so no one reads it and is misinformed....

I assume the advantage to a drop arm vs just a shorter spring is keeping the same compression ratio spring...does it also help keep the steering geometry better than a larger drop coil would?

[19seventeeCustom]

why in the world would you want to keep drums for the front?

There are much better solutions to your problem of wanting a lowered ride, that many companies have already spent R & D on. Problem solved!!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

I assume the advantage to a drop arm vs just a shorter spring is keeping the same compression ratio spring...does it also help keep the steering geometry better than a larger drop coil would?

Correct. Drop in height w/o a change in the springs rate. They do not help w/the geometry.

Originally Posted by 19seventeeCustom

why in the world would you want to keep drums for the front?

There are much better solutions to your problem of wanting a lowered ride, that many companies have already spent R & D on. Problem solved!!

For many it's finance related. My personal philosophy is upgrading to discs is a must; not a want. Not everybody agrees.

Swapping some shorter springs for drop is relatively cheap. Upgrading to discs @ the same time adds cost if the current brakes are deemed acceptable by the owner (no problem to solve).

[19seventeeCustom]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Correct. Drop in height w/o a change in the springs rate. They do not help w/the geometry.


For many it's finance related. My personal philosophy is upgrading to discs is a must; not a want. Not everybody agrees.

Swapping some shorter springs for drop is relatively cheap. Upgrading to discs @ the same time adds cost if the current brakes are deemed acceptable by the owner (no problem to solve).

Oh, I understand the finance side of things completely, but when he already has a drop spring and wants to use a drop spindle, you gotta do what you gotta do. There aren't really any more options without spending money.

But trying to come up with other solutions like a drop A-arm is just quite rediculous when there are much better/safer options out there.

but hey,, thats just my opinon.

[Cole Trickle]

Personallly I would say you should hold out and keep saving.....

I wouldn't let my son ride in the truck other than around the block trips until I installed a disc/booster kit. imho it was just to dangerous driving at freeway speed in so cal with drums.

On the flip side I encouraged wy wife to go on cruises and not wear her seat belt as she has a really good life insurance policy...lol (j/k)

[camaney]

Originally Posted by Cole Trickle

Personallly I would say you should hold out and keep saving.....

I wouldn't let my son ride in the truck other than around the block trips until I installed a disc/booster kit. imho it was just to dangerous driving at freeway speed in so cal with drums.

On the flip side I encouraged wy wife to go on cruises and not wear her seat belt as she has a really good life insurance policy...lol (j/k)

So what do think about the 18 wheelers? they are all drums and can carrie a big load. Jmo
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[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by camaney

So what do think about the 18 wheelers? they are all drums and can carrie a big load. Jmo
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big rigs aren't exactly known for their good stopping distance and why are there the emergency runoff areas for them on mountains?

[19seventeeCustom]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

big rigs aren't exactly known for their good stopping distance and why are there the emergency runoff areas for them on mountains?

They also have an engine brake to boot.

[camaney]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

big rigs aren't exactly known for their good stopping distance and why are there the emergency runoff areas for them on mountains?

Ok so try loading your truck as much as you can. Even with disk brakes you have to be more careful and slow
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[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by camaney

So what do think about the 18 wheelers? they are all drums and can carrie a big load. Jmo
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Try comparing apples to apples. Yes there are vehicles with drum brakes that are capable of stopping just fine. In this case, replace inferior drum brakes with disc brakes is a HUGE improvement. Argue it from what ever angle you prefer, but the drum brakes on these trucks were never adequate.