New Guy/Truck - Help Needed

[troutin55]

I've been looking for an older vehicle for some time now, and have recently purchased a 66 SWB C10, and I'm extremely excited.
I bought the truck off of ebay, and it appears to be in pretty good shape. Has a 5 speed, and a 454.
The rear appears to be lowered a bit, and I'd like to lower the front now. My question is, should I use drop spindles, or use lowering coils? It seems coils are cheaper and appear to help the ride? I plan on doing this work myself, but it's been a long time since I've wrenched on any cars.
I had a set of spindles ordered, but decided to change the order for 3" lowering coils from Summit. They should be here tomorrow. Before I attempt to put these things on, just wanted to make sure I'm on the right track.
Will the lowering coils mess the camber up at all?
Will my tires rub? How difficult is this job? Thanks for the help, I'm sure this topic has been discussed a dozen times, so thanks for helping.
Clint

[PGSigns]

You will need shorter shocks or shock relocators. You will need to get it aligned after the springs installed. A tire issue will depend on the rims and the tire size. Good looking truck.
Jimmy

[morethanstock66]

Welcome to the forum. Nice truck, looks like you have a nice leg up in comparison to others here. As for drop spindles and springs. Drop springs allow you to use stock spindles. Typically aftermarket drop springs sacrifice ride quality (are stiffer) to limit suspension travel. Drop spindles allow use of stock springs and keep same ride quality. To go really low you would want to utilize both. To eco PGSigns, you will want to get lowered shocks or shock relocators.

[Mjminino]

Welcome to the forum! Lots of good information using the search function. YEARS and YEARS of past installs and great documentation! Best of luck to you and again, welcome to the forum!

[Clyde65]

If you have 5 lug, just go with the spindles and a 2" drop spring, shock relocators and I dont think you would need new shocks. an alignment is always good in this situation too!

BTW, nice truck! you picked a good one!

[troutin55]

it's a 6 lug, and I think I've decided to use the coil springs that'll be delivered today. I'm not completely sure what's in store for me. I plan using a floor jack to remove the coils, wish me luck!
I am worried that my front tires will rub after all of this is done. I'd hate to go through all of this trouble, only to find out my tires rub.
Thanks for all of your help.

[PGSigns]

What size front tire is on it? If that is an 8" wide wheel with about 4" of back spacing you may need to switch to a 225 or 235 wide tire. I had to when I dropped mine.
Jimmy

[Clyde65]

I also did change tires and wheel up front.

I have rally's (5 lug tho)as you do. I used 7" on the front with 2.5" drop spindles and 2" drop springs.

[Mathew21]

Welcome to the forum. Great looking truck!

[Kenfuzed]

You may be limited to how low you can drop the front end. I can already see your headers showing underneath so too low and you'll be dragging.

BTW beautiful truck and with a 454 I'm sure it has some great power.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum Clint

That is a nice truck

Does it already have discs up front? I would go with dropped spindles over springs. Unless you want to go more than 2.5", then I would go with a 1" spring in addition to the spindles.

You're going to have to be careful how low you go with those long tube headers.

[duallyjams]

[troutin55]

thanks for everyones help. I installed a 3" drop coil springs last night, but only got about 1.25" in drop, I read in a previous post how this has happened to other people. May be getting 1" or 2" drop spindles now. I do have disks on the front, with 225 tires. I think I can go another 2 inches safely, we'll see.

Another issue I'm having is with the clutch. When I take off in first gear, the clutch won't let go (i guess that's how you describe it) until that very top of the pedal, or 1 inch from the top. Makes it extremely difficult to drive. Is there an adjustment that can be made, or is this a bigger issue I'll need to address?
Thanks again everybody, greatly appreciate your expertise.

[flashed]

Welcome from Canton ,several members here live in your area .

[Clyde65]

Drop spindles are only available in 2.5" and 3" drops.

with a 5.5" drop you will need to grind off a touch on your new spindles before you put them on, the wheel will drag. You can get away with changing the wheels to some ralleys that are skinnier, 7" or 6.5" wide.


Also, take a measurement of how your headers are from the level ground, you may not have the room.

I cant help you with the clutch other than if it is hydraulic, there isnt any adjustment. Sorry I am no help here.

[Monte's62]

Welcome to the board from nearby Dallas. Nice looking truck. Have fun with the big block and I hope 2.5 drop spindles will work for you. As someone mentioned earlier I would be concerned about your headers scrubbing if you get to low.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by troutin55

thanks for everyones help. I installed a 3" drop coil springs last night, but only got about 1.25" in drop, I read in a previous post how this has happened to other people. May be getting 1" or 2" drop spindles now. I do have disks on the front, with 225 tires. I think I can go another 2 inches safely, we'll see.

Another issue I'm having is with the clutch. When I take off in first gear, the clutch won't let go (i guess that's how you describe it) until that very top of the pedal, or 1 inch from the top. Makes it extremely difficult to drive. Is there an adjustment that can be made, or is this a bigger issue I'll need to address?
Thanks again everybody, greatly appreciate your expertise.

drive it around a while, sometimes drop springs settle after some drive time.

and the clutch pedal on these is abnormally high, at least the donor 65 I had was. I remember my knee being dash high changing gears! sorry I am of no help there.

your truck looks dynamite though, usually the "hi I'm new" threads feature barn finds or trucks rolled out of a field after 30 odd years, both kinds I love but its nice to see a good looking cruiser too.

[troutin55]

thanks again for the help.

drove the truck around a little yesterday, and joedoh, you're correct, I guess it settled a little, and probably dropped another 3/4"

I don't plan on dropping it anymore as of right now.
Taking it to the shop on Monday to have the brakes and clutch tended to. Brakes are sticking really bad, and clutch needs to be looked at. Want to get this thing running so I can put some miles on it!
A few other things on my list are getting the speedo working, new carb, new shifter, and possibly new original looking cluster. Thanks for the help. Clint
Clint

[troutin55]

Couple pics

[m455sx]

Nice truck, post pics after you are finished

[flashed]

Very nice .

[Mjminino]

You said you're looking for an original looking cluster. What cluster do you have in it now?

[Johnny_Lamebridge]

Wow, that's a nice Big Block C10.

[Slow Build]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

Drop spindles are only available in 2.5" and 3" drops.

Actually CPP Modular spindles are a 2" drop. They are advertised to not move the wheels out like most drop spindles. If you want to keep the rally wheels you may need to use these spindles. The picture below is from another thread about spindles ( http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=647229 ). As you can see in the picture of CPP Modulars with 15" rally wheels, if you use a 2.5" or 3" drop spindle the wheel would need to move out so the LCA wouldn't interfere with the wheel without considerable grinding. Also since they keep the wheels in farther it will allow a little wider tire. My plan is to use a 275/60/15" on the 8" rally wheels. That's what I have on the front now with drums and cut springs with no rubbing.