Drop spindle or lowering springs. 2"

[desert-rat]

I know lowering spring throw off the geometry and drop spindles keeps everything the same. But what's the pros, cons to both?? Is a camber kit or something like that needed for lowering springs?? Trying to save some money here.
Willing to buy drop spindles if anyone has a pair for sale. Thanks.

[Mike C]

2" springs don't cause any issues IME. Chances are won't even change your alignment.

When you want to go more than 3" drop (or even 3" on some trucks) you need to go with Spindles combined with springs. If you have a drum brake truck and you want to go lower than 3" you need to do disc conversion using drop spindles..

[County]

I just went through the same debate. Technically drop spindles keep all the factory geometry, but for only 2" I went with the ECE 2/4" deluxe spring drop. Spindles not worth the extra hassle for me and with minimal drop everything should align just fine.

[old51sedan]

I'm getting ready to do the 2" drop spindles and 4" drop in the rear also. Do you have any pictures as to how yours came out? Did you use a rear shock relocating kit and/or use a shim to align the drive shaft?

[67c10rustbuket]

Both require an alignment.

No camber kit required (its not a Ford). But make sure you go to a competent alignment shop that can align a classic and knows what alignment shims are.

Spindles require disk brakes if not a 71-72, or already converted.

Spindles may require a wheel change. Original drum brake wheels may interfere and some 15” wheels (depending on offset) may hit the lower control arm.

Spindles give you a guaranteed drop.

Springs give you a questionable amount of drop based on original specs. Example, your original coils have likely sagged 1” from 50 years of use so a 2” spring may only give you 1” drop.

If you decide on spindles, make sure you buy drop spindles for your year. IE don’t buy ‘72 spindles if you have a ‘68 or else you will have to replace ball joints, tie rods, and center link.

[County]

ECE deluxe comes with shock relocators and adjustable panhard bar to recenter rear axle. I still have about 2 1/2 inches between top of tires and fender. Kind of centers wheel all the way around. I still haul stuff, so super low isn't my thing.

[hotwls13]

Originally Posted by County

ECE deluxe comes with shock relocators and adjustable panhard bar to recenter rear axle. I still have about 2 1/2 inches between top of tires and fender. Kind of centers wheel all the way around. I still haul stuff, so super low isn't my thing.

That looks GREAT!

I plan to go 2/4 on my 70 GMC 1/2t. Just looked up Early Classic, they are in Fresno, CA. They don't have a storefront anymore but they will work with me if I wanted to pickup my parts (I'm in Bakersfield about 1.5hr drive away).

I get to Fresno several times per Year. Might work out perfect.

How hard was the install??

[gearheadperkins]

Originally Posted by County

ECE deluxe comes with shock relocators and adjustable panhard bar to recenter rear axle. I still have about 2 1/2 inches between top of tires and fender. Kind of centers wheel all the way around. I still haul stuff, so super low isn't my thing.

beautiful truck.. and nice stance..

[County]

Install wasn't terrible. I was by myself and not in a rush, knocked it out in a couple days. On a frame off deal, might only be a few hours.

50 yr old bolts are the enemy. Hit all bolts with PB Blaster every day for 2-3 days prior, and put in New rear coil hardware on reassembly. Lowes has the grade 8 stuff.

Worst part was the shock rivets for the relocation brackets. I took a grinder and cut a big slot in the middle of the rivet head. Also go get a couple new drill bits to finish drilling them out. PITA, but they come out eventually. I even had one stretched enough I wrangled my sawzall up there and zipped it right off.

After that, smooth sailing.

Thanks for the compliments.

[old51sedan]

Thanks for the reply and the pictures, your truck looks nice, just what I'm looking for on my truck. I will be doing the 2 1/2" drop spindles, I have the 4" drop springs for the rear along with the new axles, new 5 holes drums and have shims ordered to align drive shaft. Did you have to install a new adjustable pinhead bar? I will be installing a set of 5 lug rally wheels when done.

[County]

Yes sir, new adjustable panhard bar. I probably didn't HAVE to with the 4" rear, only offset rear axle less than a half inch. Came in the kit though. It's all nice stuff, but it would have been even nicer if the bar had 2 adjustable ends instead of just one, but once it's done, it's done. No biggie.

I just put a cargo strap from one frame rail to opposite side axle and cinched it in until I had same measurement on each side, adjusted bar to that length, and bolted it on.

[old51sedan]

Thanks for your reply, my truck sits way to high for me. I bought a new one in 69 and I don't remember it sitting this high, maybe I'm just getting a little older. Either way, its getting lowered with disk brakes and ralleys.

[6T7 C10]

For a 2" drop I would keep it simple with springs and replace any loose or worn components. You do lose some of the travel vs dropped spindles but under regular driving conditions do not think you would notice. I was under the impression that some dropped spindles push the width out wider due to how they are made and that would also change geometry.

[plastercracker]

mine has 6 inch rear drop coils in rear and new adjustable track bar. front has 3 inch drop springs and 2 1/2 cpp drop spindles. have to move front brake hose brackets and make new shock mounts. put c notch in but dont think i really needed it.

[Z10]

Originally Posted by old51sedan

I'm getting ready to do the 2" drop spindles and 4" drop in the rear also. Do you have any pictures as to how yours came out? Did you use a rear shock relocating kit and/or use a shim to align the drive shaft?

2.5 Spindles + 4" lowering blocks=full suspension travel. Pic of my 72

[desert-rat]

Originally Posted by Z10

2.5 Spindles + 4" lowering blocks=full suspension travel. Pic of my 72

Thats a clean drop.

[desert-rat]

You all with rear coils make it easy to lower. Im trying to lower my rear leafs.

[OARNGESI]

Originally Posted by desert-rat

You all with rear coils make it easy to lower. Im trying to lower my rear leafs.

Just convert to trailing arms it’s a easy swap or a flip kit is pretty good just probably end up lower than you want