Lowering question....

[allthrtl]

Yep another one....

When lowering the front of my truck, which would be better.... 2" spindles with 2" springs.....or 2 1/2" spindles and 1" springs.... Obviously there's a 1/2" difference, but I'm more concerned with clearence with my 15" wheels, ride quality and steering geometry.... I can save a few buck by going with the 2/2 combo over the 2.5/1 combo and I don't getting the extra 1/2 drop....or in other words, Summit parts or WC parts.....

Whatcha think???

[bigblock73]

I am not sure if there are 2" spindles for our trucks...

Either way, I would go more spindle/A-arm drop than springs. I have 3" BT spindles and 1" BT springs...ride quality is same or better than factory.

[78' Silverado]

I think they got 2 Inch..i kno they got 3....But My Drop had 3 Inch Drop Springs and a 5 Inch Flip kit in the back. Wat size tires you running. You shouldnt have any clearence problem. I had a 3/5 and everything is great for me. My ride quality is better than it was before I droped it too. But i'd say go with Springs....

[allthrtl]

I'm thinking I will probably order the WC 2 1/2 spindles and 1" springs from performance suspensions. Summit sells 2" spindles, but I think I would rather go with the Western Chassis parts, especially since I will have to order the flip kit from performance suspension anyway, seem to have the best price.....

Next question, is it ABSOLUTELY required to do the C-notch when doing a 5" flip??? I would rather not do that at this point, since I would have to pay someone to do it and I don't have anyone available to help me remove the bed..... OR, can it be done without removing the bed???

[boataddict26]

Who has the best prices on spindles? I am looking for 2 1/2 in drop from the spindles, then a 2in from springs, with a flip in the rear.

[bigblock73]

Originally posted by allthrtl
Next question, is it ABSOLUTELY required to do the C-notch when doing a 5" flip??? I would rather not do that at this point, since I would have to pay someone to do it and I don't have anyone available to help me remove the bed..... OR, can it be done without removing the bed???

I have heard you do not have to, but you might bottom out under heavy loads or harsh road conditions.

[78' Silverado]

Originally posted by bigblock73


I have heard you do not have to, but you might bottom out under heavy loads or harsh road conditions.

I dont have one installed and I do just fine. Midland roads are harsh and iget by great.

[allthrtl]

I'll have my bed off at a later time, when I paint, so I was hoping to wait till then to do the c-notch....

You can get 2 1/2" Western Chassis spindles from www.performancesuspension.com for $209.95......

Now I'm wondering if I might not be happier with 2" springs as well.....Hmmmmm, feel like a woman, can't make up my mind....

[allthrtl]

I have 255/60/15's on the front, think they will clear a 4 1/2 drop ok??

[78chevstepside]

Iam running 15" rally wheels on my 78. I have a 4/6 drop with a notched frame and flip kit. After lowering I tried to run 275/60/r15 tires. This wouldnt work. I then went to a 235/60/r15 tires. I had to grind alot of the lip off the bottom of the a-arm. I also had to go to a1/2 wheel spacer. I also had to use flat wheel weights on my front wheels. this is only needed if your weights must go on the inside of the wheel upon balancing. With all that my truck still rubs on sharp turns. More gringing of the a-arm is needed. I really need to go to bigger wheels. But i just bought 6 new ones and 2 of those I cant use. Some guys claim they havent had any problem with lowering and 15" wheels . All I can say is I have. My truck handles better but the ride in the back is worse kinda stiff.

[boataddict26]

Thanks for the link allthrtl.

[Slonaker]

The spindles Summit sells are 2.5", not 2". If you look at the part number, it has an asterisk next to it. When you go to the bottom of that section, it says that part numbers with the asterisk provide a 2.5" drop. It does not say this on the website, but it does say it in the catalog.

Slonaker

[Senor_paco]

I got 2" progressive springs on the front, with shackles and hangers on the back for a 2-4 drop. I run 295/50-15s on it, and have about 2" of space on the front and rear. I think going lower might be too much, but that's just me.

[Slonaker]

Hey, another San Antonian...

Slonaker

[allthrtl]

78chevystepside, which spindles did you use? I was thinking somewhere I read that the 3" spindles from BT typically cause clearance problems with 15" wheels, that's why I've been sticking to 2 1/2" spindles.....I'm interested to see which ones you used....

Thanks for all the help guys.....

Michael...

[allthrtl]

Hmmm......when I ordered the parts today from Performance Suspension, the guy I talked to (can't remember his name, I think Jerry, not the friendliest guy in the world) insisted there was no way to do a 5" flip kit without the c-notch. Says the axle won't even fit back in the truck without it.... I'm sorry, I'm no genius by any stretch of the imagination, but I know BS when I smell it.... He finally let me order it without the c-notch kit. Even if I do need it, I can do better than $75 for 2 pieces of plate steel and some bolts.....

Anyway, just had to get that off my chest....First impression wasn't that great, I can't stand the hard sell....

[78chevstepside]

To acheive my 4" drop in the front iam using 2" bellteck drop spindles and 2" shorter new springs . I would post a pic but thre not working

[8t5Silverado]

AIM Industries has 2.5" spindles for $148. www.truckn-store.com

I was going to go with these and 1" springs.

I don't have these, so I am unsure about the quality.

[allthrtl]

The price is real nice, but at that price I'm worried about the quality..... I already ordered everything anyway..... Thanks for the link though....

[SCOTI]

Uh-oh allthrtl....

you should call that salesman & ask him: If "the axle won't fit back in there w/o a c-section kit", how the heck have I been driving my 74 around since July w/a Western Chassis flip kit & no c-sections installed?

And when he starts fumbling around for reasons why it won't work..... be sure & let him know I also have BellTech drop shackles as well for @ least 7" of rear drop.

Does it bottom out now? Yep. But on most normal (smooth) roads it's still pretty good. It's a pain on sudden dips & bumps, or when I start piling extra weight in the bed. The only reason for not doing mine is I'm going to box the frame instead for strength & put my own c-notch in instead of using the pre-fabbed stuff that came w/the kit.

[corn]

Why would the cheaper price make you think the quality cant be as good? Has anyone here used these spindles before? Id be interested myself for that price...corn

[allthrtl]

You may have heard this before, or maybe not, but the there is an old saying....."You get what you pay for.".....which I and most others have found to be true, the cheaper it is, the "CHEAPER" it is.... However, there are good deals to be had. But, IMHO, $50+ cheaper than everyone else out there makes ya wonder how good they are. As competitive as the market is for such parts, there can't be a tremendous amount of markup in the price. With that much drop in price, one would have to conclude that they cost less to produce which equals less quality material which equals less quality parts...... If I knew someone who had used these parts with success over the long haul, I would be less suspicous..... Suspension and brake parts are something that I simply won't skimp on, not worth the risk.......

[SCOTI]

I've used AIM spindles on 4 projects. I think the 'dislike' about AIM is their business practices..... 20% min restocking fees (irregardless of whos fault the prob was); higher than norm shipping; high 'handling' fees and some pieces are 'cheesy' looking (a-arms, bolt-on 4-links).

As far as their spindles, I used the A/G body spindles on my 79 malibu, a 79 'camino, & my X-wifes 92 S10 blazer. I also did an 82 C10 swb truck for a friend using AIM spindles. All worked w/o any installation problems or quality issues.

For my 74, I went w/Western Chassis products from Sporttruckdirect.com. Fair prices, good service, & they had everything in stock for immediate shipping.

[corn]

Thanks for the comments. I too wouldnt want to squak over $50 on a suspension issue but have also seen where you can pay $50 or more extra for a brand name...corn

[ocbaud]

with western chassis 2.5" spindles and 1.5" springs i've been running 275/60/15's all around since i've lowered it. the fronts do rub on really sharp turns though.