Save some bucks...pics inside

[Tx Firefighter]

I ordered some lowering stuff for my 4/6 drop from Summit. Everyone knows that 73-87 springs work in our trucks right?

Well, I ordered Summit brand springs from Summit. Cost 87 dollars and free shipping. UPS man dropped them off today. Look closely at the "Summit brand" springs they sent me. Awesome springs for incredible price. Good brand too. Everytime I've ordered Summit brand parts, they have been a name brand.

[Hotrod70C10]

What rear springs did you use? thanks.

[Tx Firefighter]

I haven't figured out any way to get around buying 67-72 drop springs for the rear. I'm going to get Early Classic 6 inchers.

[Hotrod70C10]

cool thanks. I've got a buddy that is going to drop his 72 cheyenne super pretty soon. I'll let him know about the front coils.

What about the upper/lower control arms? Can we use the 73-78 items for our 67-72?

[theo70]

So are those dropped springs? And are they what you used to lower your truck in the avatar?

[lux hauler]

This isn't in the subject of springs but......I ordered a fuel pump from Summit last week. It was a Summit brand too. I opened the box and found an Edelbrock sticker on the side of the pump. It was also $12 cheaper than the "Edelbrock" pump.

[c10crazy]

Will 73-87 drop springs work in my 69' 6 lug?

[padreisla]

Hey Tx, what was the part number you used to order those springs. Also what about the rear coils?? I am having a problem finding them on the website.


67 C20
402 CI
THD 400

[Tx Firefighter]

1st, yes those are the same springs that I used in the avatar truck. This is actually my third set of these springs.

They are 2 inch drop springs. Yes, 73-87 front springs will directly interchange with pre 73 trucks, so a 69 is perfect fit. I'm going to use them on my 70 actually.

Summit does not sell a drop rear coil spring for our trucks. Best I can find, you will have to fess up and pay about 120 dollars or so for a name brand from any one of our fine suppliers in this industry.

Yes, they are 2 inch drop coils. Part number sum-g727

Summit also has 3 inch drop springs too, sum-g726. They are 6 dollars cheaper too.

Yes, 73 up control arms will work on our trucks. You have to use the later shafts too. Our trucks use steel screw in control arm bushings. 73 up trucks use rubber press in bushings (ride better). The control arms will mount directly on your earlier truck. Do them as a set though. Steering stops are slightly different. No biggie though. You probably won't even notice the difference in turning radius. Ball joints must match your spindles though. If you are going to use 73 up arms, just change all 4 and get spindles for the 73-87 truck. They are cheaper too. You will have to change the outer tie rod end to 73 up piece too.

I'll get flamed for this, but whatever. If you want a 3 inch drop front coil spring, just cut 1 coil from your stock springs. It will drop it damn near exactly three inches. Ride great. Flame away, those who detest cutting coils, but I have done it at least a dozen times in the last 15 years. Never had a problem or complaint from anyone about the finished result.

I think I answered all the questions

[70c10]

TX Firefighter your truck looks sweet!. I like that stance too!

[GMC69]

Can you clarify something here for me??? TX you mentioned that we can just change a few of the parts from the front end to be able to use the drop spindles from the 73-87 trucks. Since I have two complete front ends ( a 78 that is only the front frame section and an 83 that I have the entire truck) would it just be easier for me to swap the whole front suspension with cross member???
Then go out and buy drop spindles.?

[Iceman7642]

YOU CAN GET REAR SPRINGS HERE
HERE

AND ANY OTHER SUSPENTION PARTS AND MORE

[Brad]

GMC69, yes you can take the entire front crossmember and bolt it on to 67-72. You'll just need to egg out one hole on each side where it bolts up. I converted mine to 77 disks.

[72chevyLWB]

We ordered summit brand drop springs for my brothers S-10 and when we opened up the box they were bell tech's. Couldn't believe it. Price must be in the letters on the box.

TX: Thanks for the info. I posted a thread about 4 months ago but got no response.

[MOTHERTRUCKERS]

Our WESTERN FORGE 2 1/2" drop spindles are a direct bolt in,no tierod or balljoint changing or aligment needed and uses over the counter 71 to 79 disc brake parts, fits 63 to 70 1/2 tons. Our 95.00 drop coils are progressive rate lifetime warranty centerless ground EIBACH and TRW. Ask anybody about WESTERN or EIBACH quality.

[GMC69]

Originally posted by MOTHERTRUCKERS
Our WESTERN FORGE 2 1/2" drop spindles are a direct bolt in,no tierod or balljoint changing or aligment needed and uses over the counter 71 to 79 disc brake parts, fits 63 to 70 1/2 tons. Our 95.00 drop coils are progressive rate lifetime warranty centerless ground EIBACH and TRW. Ask anybody about WESTERN or EIBACH quality.

K so then I can get those drop spindles, and not have to change any of my current suspension over?? Then just use the parts I have from my 78 for the brakes.

Do you think I should go ahead with the suspension swap with crossmember anyhow so that the whole suspension will be able to handle parts from 73-87 and be easier to find over the counter?? I don't mind taking the extra time to swap the suspension if it means saving time and money in the future ( brakes, tie rods, ball joints).

Thanks for all the info so far, this is great, that is why I keep coming back for more.

[MOTHERTRUCKERS]

iI would not bother to change the crossmember as it is made from poorer quality steel than the 67-72 and you are not going to gain only lose in the long run, these WESTERN 2 1/2" drop spindles accept the stock ball joints and tierod ends already on your pre 71 1/2 ton yet convert it to disc brake by using any 71 to 78 brake parts available from us as a kit in 5 or 6 lug or any auto parts dealer in 5 lug in America, NAPA, DISCOUNT AUTO, PEP BOYS etc. You also gain by not having to get it aligned after installition or having to get new shocks as it is the same specs and ride as stock. BTW they ship from California, Arizona and Florida to save shipping costs.

[GMC69]

Hmmmm the little hamster is a running ( thinking, thinking), seems like I am going to save myself a sh!!t load of time by just getting those drop spindles and just worry about installing the power steering and power brakes.

One thing, you mentioned that you sell the discs in 6 and 5 bolt, but if I have to change the rotors down the road from a local place then it will be only 5 available right???


So then I might as well go 5 right off the bat and convert my rear axles to 5 bolt.

[Brad]

FWIW, I much prefer the rubber bushings of the 73 and up style control arms. That's why I went to the 77 front end. I don't know if Mothertruckers is the screw in bushing or rubber bushing.

[GMC69]

DOH!!!!

I think I will make a poll on the question of swap to new front end or not, then I can get more input and go from there. I have to buy drop spindles anyhow so this would eliminate the need to spend time with a suspension swap, ( I don't mind doing it, but will end up costing me more , alignment, misc parts etc...)

Too many choices......


and I am just starting with my project.

[MOTHERTRUCKERS]

Yes 5 lug rotors available at any parts store, 6 from custom part suppliers. Not sure how rubber or screw in control arm bushings got into this but we do not sell rubber control arm bushings because the rubber is inferior to the screw in and it's harder to keep it aligned due to flex in the bushing. Most 67-72 trucks with proper greasing and maintenience are still running the same control arm bushings they had from the factory 30 years ago.

[70 Jimmy]

Go 5 Lug. It's all around cheaper and easier to find wheels and rotors. I stuck to 6 lug and wish I had swapped.

[GMC69]

Well I definetly want to go 5 bolt, but it's the rear that I am unsure of. I want to convert it also to handle standard 5 bolt brake parts but just have to find the best way. I may try some of the customizing shops and see if they have access to aftermarket axles that will do this.