What Lowering Spindle brand?

[1LowToy]

I've been looking for some lowering spindles for days now, reading several posts. I've read posts on problems I definately don't want, i.e. BellTech spindles with rally wheels or 15 inch wheels won't fit with more than about a 3" offset and or grinding off some of the brake caliper. And or possible scraping of the lowr control arms.

I had planned on some 15x8 ralley wheels, 2.5 or 3" drop spindle (What brand) and maybe a one coil cut or maybe heat and shrink the spring by the amount of a half coil cut. Keep in mind I have a L6 so the aftermarket lowering springs may be more spring than I already have.

Can we have a sound off of problems with the the various brands of spindles? Hope this starts enough of a product manufacture's interest in sponsering me some new spindles, but I don't think that will happen

DJM
Spring Tech
Western Suspension
BellTech
McCraughy's
Summit Brand

Or any other known brands

[chance76]

We have put McGauphys on a few trucks and they fit great. Nice quality parts and a excellent design.

[Tx Firefighter]

Early Classic sells a nice 2.5 spindle. I have always used the Belltech 3 inch spindle though. As long as you run a 7 inch rally wheel on the front they clear fine. Only the 8 inch rally gives interference issues.

[78-5.3]

im running DJM 3" lowered spindles with 1 1/2 cut coils its the GEN3 engine so its at least 100 LB lighter the a stock small block im running stock 15" wheels

[lolife99]

I always use Belltech spindles on the 73-87 trucks.
I would imagine there might be some minor trimming/grinding required with all brands of spindles.
Also,... you will need to "tweak" the brake hose fitting away from the upper ball joint.
These are normal issues for drop spindle installs.

[1LowToy]

I see several with 15x8 rally wheels and other wheels. Now I'm wondering what problems they may have had. I'm thinking some models of spindles may set out further than others so the wheel is not contacting the control arms.

Hitting the parts boards and finding numerous 6 lug wheels and no spindles but that figures right? Hitting the Turlock Swap meet today, maybe I'll get lucky. Opps the wife is coming with me, I may not get anything, errrrr!

[Wild83C10]

I had used western chassis 2.5" drop spindles with torq thrust 15x8 with no issues.

[1LowToy]

That's kind of what I'm thinking. The 2.5 drop verses the 3.0 I could have a lot less issues to deal with. All Depending on the wheel off set of course. Another 0.5 " cam be made up with a spring or tire size. The Western web site kinda gives the same indication that their 2.5 drop does not have clearance problems that (quote) "some others do".

[N2TRUX]

I feel you might regret not going with a 3" spindle. My philosophy is get as much drop as possible from the spindle because it has not affect on your ride.

Yes, you can gain the additional drop but cutting your spring, but why go through the trouble.

If you are dead set on running a 15x8 you "might" have to trim the lip on the A-arm. It's a simple job to do. If your concerned about the integrity of the control arm after trimming it's easy to add a boxing plate.

As you can see there are several ways of getting there. I just find that more spindle drop equates to a better ride.

[flamingbig10]

I'm running 15x7 with 4.125 bs on djm 3" drop spindles and I don't have any problems with the lower control arms just the ear that holds on the brake caliper, took a little grinding, but there was no chance I was fitting aluminum wheels on it though

[GMC Guy]

i used the 3 in. Bell Tech spindles with 15x8's, and i had a lot of clearance issues. the stance looks amazing, so i guess it was worth it.

[1LowToy]

Well a little progress today. I found a fairly nice set of 15x8 ralley wheels with rings and caps. I think I could have done better in the price. So maybe in a few weeks of hussling I can afford more goodies. Yeah I'm on a budget and I don't think Santa is coming my way As for the flip kts I'm pretty sure it can be flipped with the axle pad carefullly cut off and remounted on the bottom of the axle. Looks like the rest is just bolt on upside down and fabricate some shock extentions (or not). A one coil cut on the front coils and I'm lowed. Maybe not as low as I'm going but I don't have tires for the new wheels yet either.

[Tx Firefighter]

If you don't mind doing the work for the flip kit like you're describing, you can buy cheap axle saddles at Tractor Supply or any place that sells trailer parts for under 20 bucks. That saves you the hassle of trying to surgically remove the existing axle pads.

[1LowToy]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

If you don't mind doing the work for the flip kit like you're describing, you can buy cheap axle saddles at Tractor Supply or any place that sells trailer parts for under 20 bucks. That saves you the hassle of trying to surgically remove the existing axle pads.

That's my Man. That what I'm lookin for.

I did it the hard way on some concrete last week. The woman at OSH told me I was supposed to use water with the masonary blades. I replied but with an electric saw?? Then the brain clicked in. I put the masonary blade in my gas lawn edger. Sat back and had a and and watched my Red Neck concrete cutter go at it for about an hour

[1LowToy]

Like I mentioned in a previous post I found some 15x8 ralley wheels so I guess I'm going in that direction. It appears so far that they will work with the 2.5 drop spindles. GMC guy says the Bell Tech 3.0 has fitment problems. Can you give any details?

Any more input on brands and drop with the 15x8 ralley wheels?

I just hate spending money for more problems

[GMC Guy]

i bought the 3 in spindles because i wanted to go as low as possible without having to sacrifice ride quality. all the issues with clearancing are on the lower a-arm. i had to grind down the "lip" on the a-arm, and have my tires re-balanced so the wheel weights wouldn't rub. i still have to take more off the a-arm because i can hear grinding if i turn the wheels all the way to the left. it's basically trial and error....kind of a PITA, but not impossible...

[3r!c84]

ive got a bunch of room to the lowercontrolarm ? and i got 3in djm

[1LowToy]

I think the question is back to you 3r1C84. What wheels do you have and what grinding on what if any? Let's keep in mind the 84 model may have 1.0" brake rotors?

[3r!c84]

Originally Posted by 1LowToy

I think the question is back to you 3r1C84. What wheels do you have and what grinding on what if any? Let's keep in mind the 84 model may have 1.0" brake rotors?

ive got stock truck rallys and i did have to grind off some above the caliper,but besides that good install

and yes it has 1.0 rotors

[westofb]

i bought a set of 2.5" lowering spindles from airbagit.com...called them and got a set from them shipped to my house for $179.00. The normal price was a little over $200 plus shipping, was able to get them at reduced price and shipped for nothing! I had no fitment issues with them, but am running Boss 20" wheels. I had an 84 with bell tech 3" spindles...with 15x8 ralleys, had to trim some off the rear lip of the lower control arm, it did not rub the wheels but was so close when I pulled out of the shop, it chucked all the wheel weights off the insides of the wheels...LOL. Did not have to grind them very much to clearance them for the weights to clear, maybe a 1/4" or so, drove it a couple years like that with no issues what so ever.

[1LowToy]

I had an 84 with bell tech 3" spindles...with 15x8 ralleys, had to trim some off the rear lip of the lower control arm, it did not rub the wheels but was so close when I pulled out of the shop, it chucked all the wheel weights off the insides of the wheels...LOL. Did not have to grind them very much to clearance them for the weights to clear, maybe a 1/4" or so, drove it a couple years like that with no issues what so ever.[/QUOTE]

Was it at the ball joint where you had to grind off the lower contrroll arm? If so that may be caused by the spindle Mfg having machined the lower ball joint fitment too deep. I see others are whining about having to put a washer under the castle nut to fit the cotter pin in.

[GMC Guy]

Was it at the ball joint where you had to grind off the lower contrroll arm? If so that may be caused by the spindle Mfg having machined the lower ball joint fitment too deep. I see others are whining about having to put a washer under the castle nut to fit the cotter pin in.[/QUOTE]

i assumed the Bell Tech spindles were pretty high quality, the castle nut and cotter pin fit fine. but still had major clearance issues... oh well

[1LowToy]

Originally Posted by GMC Guy

Was it at the ball joint where you had to grind off the lower contrroll arm? If so that may be caused by the spindle Mfg having machined the lower ball joint fitment too deep. I see others are whining about having to put a washer under the castle nut to fit the cotter pin in.

i assumed the Bell Tech spindles were pretty high quality, the castle nut and cotter pin fit fine. but still had major clearance issues... oh well [/QUOTE]

[3r!c84]

Originally Posted by GMC Guy

Was it at the ball joint where you had to grind off the lower contrroll arm? If so that may be caused by the spindle Mfg having machined the lower ball joint fitment too deep. I see others are whining about having to put a washer under the castle nut to fit the cotter pin in.

i assumed the Bell Tech spindles were pretty high quality, the castle nut and cotter pin fit fine. but still had major clearance issues... oh well [/QUOTE]

i can get two fingers in there.lots of room.here the pics

[GMC Guy]

my problem wasn't so much with the wheels straight like you have them. cuz i can fit a finger or two between the control arm and the wheel as well. my main problem was when i turned the wheels all the way to one side or the other.