Drop spindles or dropped control arms??

[tll74]

I plan to drop my 72 C-10 2 inchs in the front. A vendor is trying to sell me on the custom made 2 inch drop control arm (modified stock a arm) instead of a drop spindle. He says the you have to notch the control arm to clear a drop spindle to get the full turning radius. Anybody have any support either way to aid in my decision. Also any pics of a 67-72 C10 with only a 2 drop would be way cool. Thanks

[64GMCHorsepower]

Well, I have 2" drop LCA's on the front of my 64 GMC with 2" drop springs....

view from front


view from side



Are they better? IDK.......they work for me for now, but I will probably be taking them of and doing a whole new front suspension.

It would probably be easier to align the front end with drop spindles, aligning mine was a PITA.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by tll74

.... He says the you have to notch the control arm to clear a drop spindle to get the full turning radius...

If you run a 3" spindle and a 15x8 wheel you might have clearance issues. If your running any other combo you will not.

Personally I prefer dropped spindles. They give you an accurate amount of drop with no concern over ride change, alignment, or scrub line.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by tll74

I plan to drop my 72 C-10 2 inchs in the front. A vendor is trying to sell me on the custom made 2 inch drop control arm (modified stock a arm) instead of a drop spindle. He says the you have to notch the control arm to clear a drop spindle to get the full turning radius. Anybody have any support either way to aid in my decision. Also any pics of a 67-72 C10 with only a 2 drop would be way cool. Thanks

Would you mind saying who this vendor is?
I wouldn't say "notch the control arm",... is the correct wording.

You may have to trim (a small amount of grinding) to the lower control arm in the ball joint area, only if,... you are running 15" rims with more than 3.5" of backspacing.

Go drop spindles.
You have disc brakes already.
Get the "year specific" 71-72 drop spindles and you won't have to change any ball joints or tie rod ends.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Or cut a coil and do an alignment

[tll74]

lolife99...the company is Charley's Drop Shop in Portland OR. chaleysdropshop.com. I talked with him at swap meet a couple weeks ago. He takes a used arm and raises the ball joint. Of course he promoting his product so that's why I'm asking.

N2TRUX..I will be running the stock 15x8 rally with a tire that will fill the well and have a sidewall. Not sure of the back spacing or the tire size I need. Suggestions?

64GMCHP..Thanks for the pics that truck reminds me of a 64 I had 25 years ago.

I really don't know how much drop I want. I want to lower it but by no means slam it. I also don't wanta give ride for look with in reason. I have already had my lowers powder coated so I don't favor the idea of a different arm. I really need some pics of trucks with a 2, 3, 4 inch drop.
Thanks Guys

[Mike Bradbury]

With a 2" drop spindle and 15's you will scrape the LCA. Not by much but is will scrape off any inboard wheel weights you have installed. I have seen guys who have "shaved" the LCA down and fit it fine with out getting into the "notched" territory

The wheel wells on these trucks are so big that a little bigger wheel looks pretty good. The tire & wheel in my avatar is 245 60R18 on an 18x8 wheel and I have all kinds of clearance on my LCA with a 2" drop spindle.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by tll74

lolife99...the company is Charley's Drop Shop in Portland OR. chaleysdropshop.com. I talked with him at swap meet a couple weeks ago. He takes a used arm and raises the ball joint. Of course he promoting his product so that's why I'm asking.

N2TRUX..I will be running the stock 15x8 rally with a tire that will fill the well and have a sidewall. Not sure of the back spacing or the tire size I need. Suggestions?

64GMCHP..Thanks for the pics that truck reminds me of a 64 I had 25 years ago.

I really don't know how much drop I want. I want to lower it but by no means slam it. I also don't wanta give ride for look with in reason. I have already had my lowers powder coated so I don't favor the idea of a different arm. I really need some pics of trucks with a 2, 3, 4 inch drop.
Thanks Guys

Look here for "stance" photos. (scroll thru the pages)
http://www.earlyclassic.com/tech.asp...nce%20Photos-2

Your 15x8 ralley wheels will have a 4" backspace.
I like 255/60's up front and 275/60s when I run all four 15x8 wheels, which will require trimming.
Larger diameter rims will not. (17's, 18's, or 20's)

Charley's Drop Shop has a great reputation,... but to me his a-arms are old technology.
(or a great alternative to guys that want to keep their drum brakes)
But his arms are basically the same thing as a drop coil spring.
I still recommend drop spindles, for a 71-72 truck, for your needs.
Trim the lower a-arm and drive it!

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Charley's Drop Shop has a great reputation,... but to me his a-arms are old technology.

Exactly. Go with the spindle. easy. straight forward. dependable.

[Mike J]

I always hear that you have to trim the arms - but Im running 2.5" drop spindles and 3" drop springs with stock arms and 15x7 steel wheels and didnt have to trim anything and dont rub on anything (granted I dont have inner fenderwells) so I guess it's not always the case.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Mike J

I always hear that you have to trim the arms - but Im running 2.5" drop spindles and 3" drop springs with stock arms and 15x7 steel wheels and didnt have to trim anything and dont rub on anything (granted I dont have inner fenderwells) so I guess it's not always the case.

With 15" wheels,... it's all about the backspacing.
You can run a 15x7, 15x8, 15x10 and not rub a stock lower control arm,... as long as the wheel has approximately 3.5" of backspacing.
And with that said,... now you need to look at what's going to rub the fender lip.
Bigger diameter wheels can run more backspacing.

[tll74]

Well, it looks like drop spindles it will be. Any suggestions on who has the best product?

[lolife99]

Look at ECE, CPP, POL (Performance on Line), Belltech, or Western Chassis.
Stay away from AIM, Chassis Tech, or AirBagIt.com. (this is the same company with different names)
Get the spindle for a 71-72 truck.
They make them for 63-70, and 73-87 trucks also.
The 71-72 version will be a bolt on.

Summit Racing has free shipping, right now, and carry all the major brands.
Also look at the site supporters for there year end deals.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Look at ECE, CPP, POL (Performance on Line), Belltech, or Western Chassis.
Stay away from AIM, Chassis Tech, or AirBagIt.com. (this is the same company with different names)
Get the spindle for a 71-72 truck.
They make them for 63-70, and 73-87 trucks also.
The 71-72 version will be a bolt on.

Summit Racing has free shipping, right now, and carry all the major brands.
Also look at the site supporters for there year end deals.

But.... they still have their $12 'handling fee'

[tll74]

Thanks to all especially lolife99 for the continued information. Drop spindles it is. Thanks again.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

But.... they still have their $12 'handling fee'

Thats true, but on anything with weight you are still at an advantage. Not so much on the lighter stuff, but its still hard to beat them on average.

Originally Posted by tll74

Thanks to all especially lolife99 for the continued information. Drop spindles it is. Thanks again.

As always lolife99 offers great info. Don't forget to check our Vendor Marketplace for Forum Specials before you buy.