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Old 03-14-2014, 01:52 AM   #1
67stepper
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Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

I have a 67 longbed, I just cut a full coil off the front of my front coils and replaced the back coils with 5 in. lowering. but i just bought a 67 powder coated shortbed frame with a 71 front clip and im doing the suspension right now.
Is there an advantage to switching to lowering spindles in the front vs running just lowering coils?
Does it help alignment issues?
Why is it worth spending the extra $260 plus?

Well were talking suspension how about the rear. I have 5 in lowering springs and want to go 1 in. lower. I was planning on adding a 1 in. lowering block.
But is there an advantage to running a 4 in. lowering spring and a 2 in. lowering block?

Thanks
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Old 03-14-2014, 02:01 AM   #2
OARNGESI
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

Drop Spindels will give you a stack ride and not effect the suspension geometry drop springs only advantage is cost
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Old 03-14-2014, 08:53 AM   #3
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

I assume that you have drum brakes on the front? If you plan on going with disks you might find that new stock spindles are about the same price as new drop spindles. A 2-1/2" drop spindle and 1 coil cut from NEW springs will give you a 4+" drop and maintain good geometry. BTW the last set of 2-1/2" CPP drop spindles I bought were $180 new (E-bay).
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Old 03-14-2014, 01:41 PM   #4
67stepper
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

Yeah i have drum brakes right now. On the 71 front clip i got has 5 lug front disk brakes, but i want to switch it to 6 lug due to i really like my old 6 lug slotted mags. So im thinking of adding the drop spindles and 6 lug disk brake rotors.
post a pic of the frame later.Name:  truck 006.jpg
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Old 03-16-2014, 10:52 PM   #5
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

Quote:
Originally Posted by 67stepper View Post
Yeah i have drum brakes right now. On the 71 front clip i got has 5 lug front disk brakes, but i want to switch it to 6 lug due to i really like my old 6 lug slotted mags. So im thinking of adding the drop spindles and 6 lug disk brake rotors.
post a pic of the frame later.Attachment 1227419
Is this a picture of your truck with 5" drop springs in the back? And 1 coil cut in the front? Also what size tires are you running on the front and rear?
Thanks
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Old 03-17-2014, 12:32 AM   #6
67stepper
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

It has 5 inch lowering rear coils and just over 1 full coil cut off my old front coils.
running 255/60/15 front and 275/60/15 rear on 15x8.5 all four
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67 longbed fleetside switching to a 67 shortbed stepside with a 71 front clip, front disks, 2.5" lowering spindles w/1" lowering spring in the front, 5" lowering spings w/1" lowering block rear, 255/6015 front and 275/60/15 rear on 15x8.5 slotted mags, 355/350, 12 bolt 4.11 posi.
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Old 03-15-2014, 10:46 AM   #7
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

First,cut coils diminish the ride quality vs drop springs that are made to ride at that height and amount of travel. With drop coils-only alignment is not an issue up to 3". And I'm thinking you may want to go that route. Reason being I read where some have inner clearance issues with wider 15" wheels with drop spindles. But,I also know plenty who have not,so I guess it depends on the wheel profile. I've never had an issue and have drop spindles w/8" steelies for my truck I hope will be fine. If you want disc brakes and retain the 6-lugs I'm thinking you may need to buy conversion spindles anyway. Am I wrong here? I know there are conversions to put 5-lug discs on 6-lug trucks but not aware of a conversion to put 6-lug discs on 5-lug spindles. Could be wrong. Never crossed that bridge. I love the slots and I love the thought of staying 6-lug,just because,and hope you do stay with that...looks great! I find myself pondering going to 6-lug on the already dropped '71 frame I bought to put under the '67 I'm building,just because. And I'm good to go now with 5-lug,4/6 drop, and even have rare 5-lug 8" steelies powder coated red.
On the rear,the disadvantage to 2" blocks vs 6" springs is the thicker the block the lower your trailing arms and u-bolts ride to the street. And again,the 6" springs are designed to ride at that height...not that in reality your 5" springs will know the truck is any lower. But 6" puts the axle at a minimum clearance with the frame and,if I'm thinking right,the 5"springs will think they have more room to move than the 6". Maybe I'm not thinking right there,could be wrong. As I mentioned,made it's no different to the spring. Just don't want to think that hard right now . One thing to consider,if you go with 6" springs you can recoup some of the cost by selling your 5ers
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Old 03-15-2014, 11:52 AM   #8
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

Suspension travel, suspension geometry, roll center all have the advantage with drop spindles.
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Old 03-15-2014, 11:56 AM   #9
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

don't forget about "dropped" lower control arms
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Old 03-17-2014, 08:53 AM   #10
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

BTW, I can understand wanting discs but,IMO,I think your truck sits just right now...love it
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Old 03-17-2014, 09:05 AM   #11
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

Special-K is correct ----IMO you are done!
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Old 03-17-2014, 04:39 PM   #12
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

I've been thinking of doing the drop spindles on mine. Currently running front drums. So yeah, the spindles are spit cheap, but it's the $1000 in brake conversion crap that kills me! Why not just make a drop spindle that fits the stock drums?! The only other solution is drop springs and deal with changing the geometry and getting it aligned...
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Old 03-17-2014, 10:54 PM   #13
67stepper
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

My 5 in drop springs in back are $50 craigslist specials. unkown
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Old 03-17-2014, 11:01 PM   #14
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

Quote:
Originally Posted by 67stepper View Post
My 5 in drop springs in back are $50 craigslist specials. unkown
Nice score!! Did you do the panhard bar or shock relocation brackets? Sweet truck, maybe I'll see you driving around Washington. What part of the state are you in?

Thanks TJ
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Old 03-18-2014, 11:43 PM   #15
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

Have'nt done either yet, but planning on doing both.
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67 longbed fleetside switching to a 67 shortbed stepside with a 71 front clip, front disks, 2.5" lowering spindles w/1" lowering spring in the front, 5" lowering spings w/1" lowering block rear, 255/6015 front and 275/60/15 rear on 15x8.5 slotted mags, 355/350, 12 bolt 4.11 posi.
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Old 03-19-2014, 06:42 AM   #16
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Re: Is there an advantage to drop spindles vs drop coils

Lowered my truck 3" front 5" rear with springs I did not want 5 lugs or disk brakes so I just bought everything cpp got springs sway bars rear adjustable panhard bar all was ?? I done forgot how much it was ? $700 ? $500 ? I dont remember ? Ohh yea I also got the rear shock relocator brackets , no problems with any of it , I do my own front end alignment out in the driveway and had no problems at all , the front rides smooth and has travel , the rear is bumping the stock bump stops so I have ordered a set of thin urethane bump stops if that dont work I will order a c/notch , if you want a truck a lot lower than mine then I would recomend spindles , with the never ending road construction in this frigged up town I live in any lower and you could not ride it here , best of luck ,,,,
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