Drop spindles and increased track width..

[Spry69]

I have a 64 GMC 1000 that I purchased this summer. The previous owner converted the front to disc with 2.5" McGaughys drop spindles. He told me that this conversion added what seemed like " a few" inches to the track width.

This week I finally received my Mob Steel steelies and mounted them up. I also changed out the front springs to a CPP 3" drop spring. This achieved tucking the rubber into the fender well, but with the backspacing I ordered there is rubbing during turning/compression.

I'm trying to see if anyone knows if there are other drop spindles that maintain the stock track width or even narrow it a bit. I want to end up with a Porterbuilt stage 2 set up which can be customized to fit my track width, but for now, while I'm broke, I'm trying to find the best way to solve this issue.

I see my options as of now are:
-Put the 1" drop spring back in that didn't cause any issue, but the stance is t right
Or
-Find a set of spindles that can narrow the track width (best option if it is available)
And/or
-Roll the fender lip tight to see if it gets me enough room (don't think it will though)
Or
-Find $2000 to buy the PB Fab stage 2 front set up (wife will shoot me)

Let me know what you guys think. Thanks for your time in advance.

[NVS-C10]

Originally Posted by Spry69

Attachment 1499002

I have a 64 GMC 1000 that I purchased this summer. The previous owner converted the front to disc with 2.5" McGaughys drop spindles. He told me that this conversion added what seemed like " a few" inches to the track width.

This week I finally received my Mob Steel steelies and mounted them up. I also changed out the front springs to a CPP 3" drop spring. This achieved tucking the rubber into the fender well, but with the backspacing I ordered there is rubbing during turning/compression.

I'm trying to see if anyone knows if there are other drop spindles that maintain the stock track width or even narrow it a bit. I want to end up with a Porterbuilt stage 2 set up which can be customized to fit my track width, but for now, while I'm broke, I'm trying to find the best way to solve this issue.

I see my options as of now are:
-Put the 1" drop spring back in that didn't cause any issue, but the stance is t right
Or
-Find a set of spindles that can narrow the track width (best option if it is available)
And/or
-Roll the fender lip tight to see if it gets me enough room (don't think it will though)
Or
-Find $2000 to buy the PB Fab stage 2 front set up (wife will shoot me)

Let me know what you guys think. Thanks for your time in advance.

If I'm not mistaken, the CPP modular drop spindles do not affect track width.

[chevy2tom]

Run a shorter front tire?

[chevy2tom]

I also have the McGaughys drop spindle disc brake to install on my 64, what front back spacing dud you order?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by NVS-C10

If I'm not mistaken, the CPP modular drop spindles do not affect track width.

I dont think that has ever been confirmed by anyone,... even CPP.
No exact dimension compared to:
1) drum brake spindles
2) oem disc brake spindle
3) standard 2.5" or 3" drop spindle.
The CPP Modular spindle is narrower,... but by how much has never been documented.

[Spry69]

I measured for backspacing using all the resources on this site. It was my first time doing it, but did get confirmation from my tire guy. More backspacing would definitely fix the issue, but buying more wheels is not an option. The wheels are 20x9 with 5.5" BS. Tires are Toyo Proxi ST II, 275-45-20. I was going off of PB Fab, and wanting to end at a dropmember. The figures I referenced talked of a 30" tall tire setup. These measure out at 29.7". When everything was mounted, I had a 2.5" drop spindle and 1.5" drop springs, and nothing rubbed. But stance wise, it didn't look right to me. There was a 1" gap between the front fender lip and the rubber. I changed to springs to 3" drop, and all went bad. I would love to find a drop spindle that would retain the stock (or narrower) track width but for now I'm going to put the longer springs back in so I can get back to driving it. I'm at the firehouse today, but tomorrow I am going to pull some numbers on my track width to compare to stock, and other members who have stock suspension with different drop spindles.

Easiest fix would have been more back spacing and/or a 275/40/20. I went back and forth a hundred times on both of these decisions. Both were new to me and a bit daunting. With this being a pretty big purchase for me, I definitely put much thought and effort into it. But didn't account for the additional drop that I planned. I appreciate all assistance in correcting this issue. Thanks guys.

[chevy2tom]

If the tires are the same front & back then you'll have a spare set for the rear & won't have to worry about smoking the rear tires since you have a spare set lol

[NVS-C10]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I dont think that has ever been confirmed by anyone,... even CPP.
No exact dimension compared to:
1) drum brake spindles
2) oem disc brake spindle
3) standard 2.5" or 3" drop spindle.
The CPP Modular spindle is narrower,... but by how much has never been documented.

I'm just going by what the sales rep at CPP told me??

[lolife99]

Your tires look really tall.
What size are they?
How did you determine what backspace to order on your Mobsteel wheels?
Seems like you just need more backspacing to suck the wheels in.

[Spry69]

I like your thinking! Just have to see if I can sell that to the wife. Ha ha.

[lolife99]

I would run a 20x8 (5.5" backspace) with a 245/40-20 tire up front.
A 9" rim and a 275/45 is huge up front on a low truck.

If you move that big tire in with a narrower drop spindle, will you rub on the inner fender?

[Spry69]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I would run a 20x8 (5.5" backspace) with a 245/40-20 tire up front.
A 9" rim and a 275/45 is huge up front on a low truck.

If you move that big tire in with a narrower drop spindle, will you rub on the inner fender?

Definitely would be a safer choice in hind sight. When I get home from work tomorrow, I'm going to do more measuring. Maybe I just need to find someone with a set of 20x8 5.5bs mob steels on their truck who wants a wider rear setup and we can do a two wheel swap.
Hopefully I can get it figured out without needing to do that, but nothing is ever off the table. Thanks again for all the ideas. I'm going to call some different manufactures tomorrow and ask some questions. Thanks, Brandon

[Spry69]

Here is where I was at after just installing the wheel/tire set up, with the 1 1/2" drop springs. I didn't have any rub issues on the 1 1/2 hour drive home. Just for reference.

[chevy2tom]

Are your rear wheels & tires the same size as the front?

[Spry69]

Originally Posted by chevy2tom

Are your rear wheels & tires the same size as the front?

Yes. They are all the same and the back has 1" wheel spacers.

[PGSigns]

The stance is not bad on the taller spring. You have got a lot of tire on there so you may have to live with the taller spring till you can get a drop member under it with the narrow arms on it.
Jimmy

[urmyboyblue]

Another vote for different back spacing on the wheels. I replaced my front end with one for a 2003 Lincoln Towncar (Ford Panther front end) and went thru 3 sets of wheels before I got the back spacing right. I also went thru two sets of springs. But now it looks good. Nothing spending money won't fix. But once you get it, you have it.

[Spry69]

I'll be home in a couple hours, and then I'll start making some calls and doing some measurements on my current track width. I'll need to find out what the stock track width is for a 1964 GMC 1000. I'm sure it is on here somewhere. Then the taller springs will go back in, and see where things go from there. Now that PB's new site is up, I double checked the tire height numbers and they reference a 29" tall tire when quoting ground clearance levels with the different drop kits. I was going to call them and get their input also. Thanks everyone for the assistance. B

[Spry69]

Project delayed for a day due to needs around our small farm. I'll let everyone know what I find hopefully tomorrow evening.

[Spry69]

I made some calls this morning and here is what I've found so far. All information below was from the tech support line at each individual company:

McGaughys (pronounced McGoy i learned)
-their 2 1/2" drop spindle adds +3/8" to each side for a total of +3/4" added to overall track width
CPP
-their modular 2 1/2" drop spindle does not change the stock drum brake track width you had prior to converting to their spindles and disc brakes. They said their may be "minor" differences based on individual truck, but should not be a measurable difference.

Called Porter Built and left a message. More info to come .

[Spry69]

Well the 1.5" springs are going back in and my two credit cards are full! I got the "approval" from the misses to call Porterbuilt and order some goodies. "It's an investment dear.." Actually she is very supportive of my truck addiction, most of the time.
Talked with Dave at PB, and he helped me work out exactly what I wanted. He was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about all things C-10. Great experience.
I went with their stage 2 front kit, and an extreme dropmember rear. I'm going to run the bags with the schraeder valve setup for now.
Decided on the stage two with the 1" narrowed control arms. We figured that about $1300 of the $1600 worth of parts would cross over onto the front drop member if I end up going that way down the road.
On the rear, almost none of the stage two rear would cross over, so I spent the additional $200 to get the drop member now.
Really excited to get the project under way. Should arrive around the end of March. Until then time to clean the garage and work some overtime to pay the credit cards.

[PGSigns]

Sounds like a good plan. The waiting will be tough. Kind of like how many days till Christmas when your a kid.
Jimmy

[chevy2tom]

I haven't pulled the trigger on my front from porterbuilt for my 64 yet. Did you get the deluxe stage 2 front kit? Does that come with upper & lower arms? Did you go 1" in & 1" forward on the arms? With the McGaughys disc kit I think I'd need the 63 70 ball joints. So what's not used when you swap over to the dropmember? Sorry for so many questions I gotta call porterbuilt lol

[Spry69]

"Sounds like a good plan. The waiting will be tough. Kind of like how many days till Christmas when your a kid.
Jimmy"

Definitely will be a hard wait. I just finished up waiting the six weeks for my wheels, too bad I didn't plan a little better. Oh well, it will give me time to strip down the truck and clean and paint the frame.

Originally Posted by chevy2tom

I haven't pulled the trigger on my front from porterbuilt for my 64 yet. Did you get the deluxe stage 2 front kit? Does that come with upper & lower arms? Did you go 1" in & 1" forward on the arms? With the McGaughys disc kit I think I'd need the 63 70 ball joints. So what's not used when you swap over to the dropmember? Sorry for so many questions I gotta call porterbuilt lol

No worries about questions. I had all the same questions myself.
I went with the stage 2 deluxe front. The deluxe comes with the upper control arms. That is the only difference between the stage 2 standard and deluxe. Per the recommendation of Dave at PB, I went with 1" narrowed only. I want to end up with a front drop member, so if you do the 1" forward now with the stage 2, then when i switch to the drop member the wheels will be too far forward. If you want to stay with the stage 2 front, then go with the 1" forward to center your wheels. The 1" narrower option would depend on what your set up needs.
When changing from the stage 2 to the front drop member, everything crosses over except for the shocks and shock relocation brackets I believe.
In the rear I went with the drop member instead of the stage 2 rear because Dave said almost none of the stage 2 rear would cross over. I think just the bags. So I felt it was worth a few hundred more to not have to waste money later.
As far as ball joints, you'll need whatever set up you have. I got the 73-87 joints with the front kit. I'm going to get the CPP spindles to gain back the 3/4" on my track width. For now, I will just need to get new tie rod ends for a 73-87 as well. Any other questions, I'll do my best to help out.

[american revolution]

i went with porterbuilt a arms pushed 1" in and centered..rear mild set up think stage 2...all accuair setup.

cpp modular but the braking is soft....i probably should have went with wildwood setup for brakes