Front Suspension Help

[Layrokr]

New to forum and need some info. I have a 70 swb. The front suspension was modified by a local shop " Charleys Drop Shop " years ago. He modified the lower a arms to lower the front by 2 inches. I would like to update the truck with disc brakes. I know there are several aftermarket kits to do just about everything, but i want to do it on the inexpensive. Will the spindles and brake parts interchange with the a arms I have or do I need to change the ball joints?? Would anyone suggest just replacing the whole front suspension with a disc brake truck and then get the lowered spindles? Remember I want to do it on the cheap. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, John

[powell72]

If you can find a donor disc brake truck that didn't have worn out components that would be the way to go. I wouldn't use drop spindles with modified control arms. You'll end up with the control arms way below your scrub line. I'm assuming your arms look like these-

[Layrokr]

Thanks for the info. Those arms do look like the ones I have. So if I went with the full swap I would need spindles to get the lowered ride height again? Thanks again. John

[Wrenchbender Ret]

You want to use stock spindles if you have the dropped a-arm. You can use components off a 71-72 but you will have 5 bolt hubs. You will have to get rotors from a specialty supplier to use 6 bolt wheels.

[SCOTI]

You can use brake parts from any 71 ~ 87 1/2-ton 2wd/HD application; just use the BJ's for that application (they're a direct swap w/your originals). If you need the 6-lug rotors, they're available from several board-supporting vendors.

[MellowYellow70]

Originally Posted by powell72

If you can find a donor disc brake truck that didn't have worn out components that would be the way to go. I wouldn't use drop spindles with modified control arms. You'll end up with the control arms way below your scrub line. I'm assuming your arms look like these-

My 70 has dropped/modified lower arms like that (think it was done 13 years ago). I used a donor 72 for the disc swap and rear end swap as well.

[hotrodhomi]

What are dropped arms like this worth. I have a set that will be replaced very soon.

[GMCStepside]

i have a set of a parts frame i picked up, it was a jimmy frame, was as in i cut the frame after the front susp, put the 3:08s in my truck, etc

anyways, it has these lowered custom control arms as well, I also took the thick lowering springs( that have been cut) and put them in the front of my stepside tonight.

Im wondering what drop these give. mine look well built, im a welder, and id run them, im going to box the rest of the control arm, and smooth them out for bumps, cause mines gunna be low.

its daily driver for right now, do projects on my days off,

anyways wondering how these effect ride quality, good for handeling?

[SCOTI]

Ride quality shouldn't change & other than lowering the trucks center of gravity, these don't benefit the handling.

They will lower the scrub line. This means the lower a-arm pocket becomes closer to the ground than they already are.

[GMCStepside]

okay good to know,

hmm,

the front springs i put in are thicker, look aftermarket and were cut in the frame I picked up, id say they are 3 inch lowering springs..

ride nice, also have poly bushings in new leaf springs, no overload, 4 pack.

rides nice but want it lower, and eventually 20s

[Layrokr]

Thanks for the replies. Does anyone know the differances of the 72 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton disc frontends besides the 6 to 8 lugs. Can the spindles be used and just replace the rotors? My hopes are to use the afore pictured a arms and I found a donor 3/4 ton truck with lots of other parts I can use just unsure of the front lug/ rotor question. Thanks in advance. Layrokr

[Frizzle Fry]

Different ball joints and different spindles on the 3/4 ton. The ball joint provision in the arms are actually bigger on the 3/4 ton so it's not just a matter of swapping them into your arms either.

But, FWIW I've read that you can use the 3/4 ton lower arms and 88+ joints, spidles and brakes to get a cheap 6 lug disc setup.

[hotrodhomi]

Wow, this is an old thread