Front drop? Spindles? Springs? Both? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

aitch · 02-14-2005, 07:15 AM

I hauled home the 71 Super Cheyenne yesterday. Now the work starts.
I was thinking about 2 1/2 drop spindles and 1" drop springs.
But what happens if I just use 4" drop springs?
Will also be dropping the rear.
Does anyone use car/salvage yard springs that will work in our trucks?
Thanks
aitch

**N2TRUX** · 02-14-2005, 09:04 AM

I do not recommend using 4" dropped springs. You will not be pleased with the ride from that short of a spring unless your after a very firm suspension.

I suggest dropped spindles or A-arms and a 2" spring. You can get the same thing buy cutting a coil off your stock spring if they are in good shape....

rustyold72 · 02-14-2005, 07:44 PM

If you use a 4" spring alone, you'll have a ride that your kidneys will hate you for,
I'm going with the springs (2" drop) and the spindles(2 1/2" drop), I based it on riding in a friends truck, rode better dropped than it did stock

GreyHoundSteve · 02-14-2005, 07:46 PM

I just ordered by drop spindles and springs from ECE. I looked at ALOT of different set ups and this seemed like the best.

70short/step · 02-14-2005, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreyHoundSteve

I just ordered by drop spindles and springs from ECE. I looked at ALOT of different set ups and this seemed like the best.

Did the ECE drop spindles on my 70. Switched to 5 lug disc brakes. ECE is a Great product and they have an excellant support. If you ever have a question while doing the swap, just call them up and they help you out.

aitch · 02-15-2005, 07:01 AM

Can I go to 73+ spindles and rotors at this time? What all is needed?

Tx Firefighter · 02-15-2005, 08:53 AM

Yes, you can use the 73 and newer parts. You'll need to change your upper ball joints and outer tie rod ends.

The lower ball joints are the same. And, brake rotors and bearings are the same from 71-on until they went to the thinner rotors in the 80's.

Reuse your calipers and caliper bolts on the newer spindles.

aitch · 02-16-2005, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Yes, you can use the 73 and newer parts. You'll need to change your upper ball joints and outer tie rod ends.

The lower ball joints are the same. And, brake rotors and bearings are the same from 71-on until they went to the thinner rotors in the 80's.

Reuse your calipers and caliper bolts on the newer spindles.

I thought that 73 up rotors were bigger diameter.

02-14-2005, 07:15 AM	#1
aitch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: N.W. Arkansas Posts: 456	Front drop? Spindles? Springs? Both? I hauled home the 71 Super Cheyenne yesterday. Now the work starts. I was thinking about 2 1/2 drop spindles and 1" drop springs. But what happens if I just use 4" drop springs? Will also be dropping the rear. Does anyone use car/salvage yard springs that will work in our trucks? Thanks aitch

02-14-2005, 09:04 AM	#2
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	I do not recommend using 4" dropped springs. You will not be pleased with the ride from that short of a spring unless your after a very firm suspension. I suggest dropped spindles or A-arms and a 2" spring. You can get the same thing buy cutting a coil off your stock spring if they are in good shape.... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

02-14-2005, 07:44 PM	#3
rustyold72 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ark City KS Posts: 505	If you use a 4" spring alone, you'll have a ride that your kidneys will hate you for, I'm going with the springs (2" drop) and the spindles(2 1/2" drop), I based it on riding in a friends truck, rode better dropped than it did stock __________________ 71 Chevy C10 "The Rust Bucket" 72 Chevy C10 apart in the garage 02 WS6 T/A Fast Black and bad@$$ 93 Nissan Pathfinder "Emily" Totaled RIP girl 05 Jeep Grand Cherokee-HEMI powered 87 Iroc Z28 305 TPI auto (crying out for an LS1 swap)

02-15-2005, 08:53 AM	#7
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Yes, you can use the 73 and newer parts. You'll need to change your upper ball joints and outer tie rod ends. The lower ball joints are the same. And, brake rotors and bearings are the same from 71-on until they went to the thinner rotors in the 80's. Reuse your calipers and caliper bolts on the newer spindles. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

02-14-2005, 07:46 PM	#4
GreyHoundSteve Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: DFW TX Posts: 769	I just ordered by drop spindles and springs from ECE. I looked at ALOT of different set ups and this seemed like the best.

02-15-2005, 07:01 AM	#6
aitch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: N.W. Arkansas Posts: 456	Can I go to 73+ spindles and rotors at this time? What all is needed?



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