Has anyone done this mod to a lower control arm?

[glock35ipsc]

I want to go a little lower than the 2.5" drop spindles, and was going to get 2" lowering springs to add to it. But I got to thinking, has anyone lowered the spring cup in a stock lower arms? It looks like it would be simple to do. Anyone done this before? Pictures?

[ChevyDude]

Interesting! What you can do with a plasma and a welder...LOL!!! Ya know Lil' Red has ECE 2.5" drop spinds and 2" Ground Force drop springs. So the Atomic would be sitting similar!!!

[corn]

spray bomb just did that on his truck for front bags. I imagine its the same thing...

[Scott68-93-97]

Yes and it works well I used to lower a lot of older cars that wanted an original look to it, best way to do it is plate the bottom of the arm first you dont have to do it but its a good idea, next hang the arm upside down and level the cup to where it is level all the way around use blocks or weld (tack) a peice of small tubing to hold it in place, then mark a cirlce around the cup a little down from the top so its not on the edge of the round part of the cup but dont connect the circle to itself you want it to end a 1/4 inch lower than where you started (this will ensure everything goes back in the same spot and straight) cut the lin then cut a straight cut connecting the two ends of the cup at your starting and stopping point, then go buy some 1 or 2 inch flat stock and bend it in somewhat the size of circle your cup is ( it doesnt need to be perfect yet ) then start at you cut stopping pint which should be a 1/4 in lower than you starting point and tack it, and continue lining the metal up and tacking all the way around, once youve done this set your cup back on the 1/4 in difference should still line right up, check it for level and tack it in all the way around, once its all tacked in you can fully weld it up

There are other ways, until I learned of this 1/4 difference in your starting and stopping point I used to cut it straight but this is deffinetly the best way to do it.

[jlaird]

I did this. Click on my build pics link below for detailed pics. Let me know if you have any questions.

Josh

[powell72]

Bob, have you seen the stepped arms where you just move the LBJ portion on the arm up and the gusset it? That'd be a piece of cake for you.

[LEEVON]

This would be similar to aftermarket drop lower control arms. I don't know how many are out there, but I don't think they are real popular. I have them on my '71, same as stock, but with a drop plate and lower cup. The pros are that they retain stock suspension geometry, but the cons are they become the lowest point on the vehicle. At 3", they are lower than the bottom of the rim which always gets me wondering what happens with a front flat? And I have scraped them a couple of times... But it would be cool to lay some "arm"!

[powell72]

Check the pics from SCOTI in this link-
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=225073

[CG]

Got these from Charlies Drop Shop out of Portland Ore.

[glock35ipsc]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! CG, I like the pic. I like the idea of moving the ball joint up instead of lowering the spring cup. I have a bunch of lower arms, I think I might have to experiment with that method.

[corn]

I understand the ball joint placement but what is the difference in cups & shorter springs?

[glock35ipsc]

Just cups, same springs. Or shorter springs, and leave the cups alone. If the cup is lowered in the arm by 1", then the ride height should be lowered roughly the same.

[SCOTI]

FYI..... I've always heard (read) that you should not combine dropped spindles w/dropped (or stepped) a-arms. I'm guessing mainly because of scrub-line & BS issues.

I also installed the arms in that link provided w/a strong warning to the trucks owner. My buddy had a similar set-up on his 65 & it hung up on a city manhole cover destroying the truck (distorted the frame so it looked like a cartoon).

If you have disc brakes, go w/spindles.
If your plan is to stick w/drums, use stepped arms & a shorter coil.

[Scott68-93-97]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

FYI..... I've always heard (read) that you should not combine dropped spindles w/dropped (or stepped) a-arms. I'm guessing mainly because of scrub-line & BS issues.

I also installed the arms in that link provided w/a strong warning to the trucks owner. My buddy had a similar set-up on his 65 & it hung up on a city manhole cover destroying the truck (distorted the frame so it looked like a cartoon).

If you have disc brakes, go w/spindles.
If your plan is to stick w/drums, use stepped arms & a shorter coil.

It does effect scrub radius but not much, putting on more negative offset rims is worse. Running more drop in the spring can also do worse because it kicks out the angle of your spindle which will increase the scrub radius

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Scott68-93-97

It does effect scrub radius but not much, putting on more negative offset rims is worse. Running more drop in the spring can also do worse because it kicks out the angle of your spindle which will increase the scrub radius

This is why I will only go 2" drop w/a spring.

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

If the cup is lowered in the arm by 1", then the ride height should be lowered roughly the same.

More like double. Remember that the spring (and pocket) are about half way between the pivot and wheel, so the effect doubles. ...approximately

[glock35ipsc]

Hmmm, well, since I already have drop spindles, maybe I should just go with the 2" springs after all. I was just thinking the tight arse way..... or was it the creative way?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

Hmmm, well, since I already have drop spindles, maybe I should just go with the 2" springs after all. I was just thinking the tight arse way..... or was it the creative way?

Heck.... 2 more inches? Cheap? Cut 1 coil off = free.

[glock35ipsc]

That thought has crossed my mind too! They are brand new springs, well, right at 150 miles on them.

[CG]

The guys that did my arms said you can not use dropped spindles with them

[Wreckless_71]

My dad said that is how they used to do it before they had drop spindles... modify the A-arms.

[N2TRUX]

The scrub line issues is certainly a serious concern if you are running 15" wheels. I'm not sure that the dropped A-arms would even clear. I think that issue would go away if you are running an 18" or larger wheel.

[glock35ipsc]

So will I be alright with: 15" wheels, drop spindles, and 2" drop springs? The 15" wheels and drop spindles have no clearance issues with the lower arm at the moment.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

So will I be alright with: 15" wheels, drop spindles, and 2" drop springs? The 15" wheels and drop spindles have no clearance issues with the lower arm at the moment.

I had this but with bags and all I had to do was some grinding on the lower outer edge of the LCA. It only hit at full drop but with a spring if you hit a big bump it might or might not contact. Just check and see how close it is when you put the springs in or better yet pull out your stock springs and bolt the LCA back into the spindle, install your 15" wheel and jack it up to simulate full bump and see if it hits. Make sure to turn lock to lock at the same time.

Kevin
LFD inc.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[glock35ipsc]

Good idea Kevin, thanks!