How low without converting to disc?

[UKNOWME]

Recently picked up a 64 c10. I’m mostly familiar with 73-87. How low can I go and by what means if I leave the drums brakes?

[UKNOWME]

Static drop that is

[The Rocknrod]

I'm not sure brakes have anything to do with lowering a vehicle, what do you think?

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

I'm not sure brakes have anything to do with lowering a vehicle, what do you think?

Originally Posted by lolife99

Brakes do have something to do with lowering.
Because if you want to run drop spindles you have to switch to disc brakes.

Exactly!

Originally Posted by lolife99

Add a 2.5” drop spindle with disc brakes.
Use 63-70 conversion spindles.
Direct bolt on.
Same price as other spindles.

Can I keep manual brakes with front disc for the time being?

[lolife99]

Brakes do have something to do with lowering.
Because if you want to run drop spindles you have to switch to disc brakes.
3” drop spring is the most I would run with drum brakes.
Add a 2.5” drop spindle with disc brakes.
Use 63-70 conversion spindles.
Direct bolt on.
Same price as other spindles.

[The Rocknrod]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Brakes do have something to do with lowering.
Because if you want to run drop spindles you have to switch to disc brakes.
...

Well okay, but that's not what he asked.
Can you run disc without drop spindles?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Well okay, but that's not what he asked.
Can you run disc without drop spindles?

Sure

[lolife99]

Manual brakes are fine

[UKNOWME]

Cool, thanks for the info.

[UKNOWME]

What I was implying is that the drop spindles will gain me another 2-2 1/2 inches lower. BUT aside from doing that how low could I get? I’ve seen a couple pickups online that still have 4 wheel drum brakes and are low as heck and still static dropped but not enough info to know if they used drop springs and cut more coils or how they acheived that stance.

[zach_carver]

static slammed drum brake trucks were probably torched coil springs lol you’ll be glad yo changed to disc eventually anyways.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by zach_carver

static slammed drum brake trucks were probably torched coil springs lol you’ll be glad yo changed to disc eventually anyways.

I just looked at your LS swap thread! Nice job. Too bad photo bucket screwed it up with their pictures sharing crap! What size wheels and tires did you use when you had the steel wheels with thin whitewalls? I love that look. Did you use spacers too? I’ve seen may that sit so far inward.

[Jferrante]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

I just looked at your LS swap thread! Nice job. Too bad photo bucket screwed it up with their pictures sharing crap! What size wheels and tires did you use when you had the steel wheels with thin whitewalls? I love that look. Did you use spacers too? I’ve seen may that sit so far inward.

download the chrome photo bucket extension and all the photo bucket photos work , quick google solved it for me.

[UKNOWME]

Eventually it’s getting disc and bags but I need it on the cheap for now. I found c/10 King posted this one that was cut front coils. I’ve messaged him to get more details.

[La Zona Imagery]

The lowest drop spring on the market is 4 inch drop springs (Hotchkiss). So that would be the lowest you can go in the front if you don't get drop spindles.

[richards72chevy]

Isn't there a modification called stepped a arms.

[Cris]

When I first bought my truck I dug around for a long time looking for ways to drop the ride height while still keeping drum brakes. I called all the vendors and no one made drop spindles for drum brakes. They all figured that anyone lowering their trucks would want disk brakes. At the time I didn't want to spend an extra grand on drop spindles, new disk brakes, proportioning valve, etc, etc. I was completely happy with my set of well tuned (manual) drum brakes.

So I started with a set of ECE two inch drop springs in front. That didn't quite get me where I wanted so I cut one coil. This dropped me another 2 1/4". I quite frankly would like to go lower still, but now the tie rods are sitting at about as much angle as I am comfortable without doing some steering geometry measurements. Plus I dropped the rear to match the front with 6" ECE springs and I can't go lower there without some type of notch (and relief for the differential).

I feel there is more room to go on the fronts without resorting to drop spindles, but you would have to get creative. I would pull the lower a-arms and shave down the lower bump stop brackets. These are definitely getting in the way. There is a perch right behind the bump stops that serves as the steering stop, this could be shaved some as well, but you can't go too far without re-engineering a different stop. I would correct the tie rod angle by flipping the mounting location on the spindle from top to bottom. Using these techniques, I think a 6" drop is feasible.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by Cris

So I started with a set of ECE two inch drop springs in front. That didn't quite get me where I wanted so I cut one coil. This dropped me another 2 1/4".

So how low does it sit with a 4.25 drop?

Originally Posted by Cris

Plus I dropped the rear to match the front with 6" ECE springs and I can't go lower there without some type of notch (and relief for the differential).

At what point do you have to worry about pinion angle and swapping out the trailing arm crossmember?

[lolife99]

Cris be careful flipping your tie rods to the bottom of the spindle arm
You will create bump steer issues.
The tie rod should run parallel to the lower a-arm.

Sure you can cut springs as much as possible, but you get alignment issues and a loose spring in the spring pocket with a-arms at full droop.
I also think you can get drop spindles and disc brakes for less than a grand up front.
$250 for spindles (63-70) a 71-72 m/c, an adjustable prop valve, parts house rotors and calipers or better yet Rock Auto as a source.
I’m sure you will need a M/C mount like member CaptainFab sells.
Just depends how creative you can get parts shopping.

[richards72chevy]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1522027304

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by richards72chevy

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1522027304

I don’t think I’d do that.

[Cris]

Here's how low

[Cris]

UKNOWME:

I haven't put my gauge on the pinion angles, but from a practical perspective I have not seen any issues with vibration, etc. The drop as you can see from the pic is not that severe, not like laying frame.....


lolife99:

Flipping the tie rod mounts to the spindle will reduce the angle, that is, get them more parallel to the A-arm. With the stock location on the spindle, the tie rod angle is starting to get well away from parallel with a 4" drop. Flipping them on the spindle would help correct this. I really should stuff all the a-arm and tie rod dimensions into a suspension program and map it out. but its just a truck that drives around town, not a race car.......

I have hammered the truck a bit to see if there are any issues with braking or steering under more severe conditions and have not seen any major issues.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Cris

lolife99:

Flipping the tie rod mounts to the spindle will reduce the angle, that is, get them more parallel to the A-arm. With the stock location on the spindle, the tie rod angle is starting to get well away from parallel with a 4" drop. Flipping them on the spindle would help correct this. I really should stuff all the a-arm and tie rod dimensions into a suspension program and map it out. but its just a truck that drives around town, not a race car.......

Heres a picture of a tie rod flip on these trucks.
Unless you are using a stepped a-arm or a raised lower balljoint,... all the pivot points remain the same.
The tie rod may be more parallel to the GROUND,... but it is no longer parallel to the lower control arm.

Good luck with your project UKNOWME,...

[UKNOWME]

Thanks for the pic! Inas hoping for a little lower. Do you know what the overall diameter of those tires are?