Drop ?- School Me - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ole Blue 68 · 03-14-2007, 04:17 PM

I need some advice on the two options I'm looking at to drop my truck. How much difference in drop will there be between using stock height spindles and 2/4 drop springs vs. drop spindles and 2/4 drop springs? If there is not much difference in the drop, then what is the benefit, if any, of going with the drop spindles?

I'm asking because I can pick up a used pair of stock height spindles pretty cheap but if I go with drop spindles I'm pretty much gonna have to buy them new at retail price.

jimmydean · 03-14-2007, 04:29 PM

By using spindles, you maintain (for the most part) the factory geometry. Also, if 2.5" isn't enough, you have the option to trim a single coil off the stock springs and get another 1.5" or so.

If you use a 2" spring, then you will need to have the front end adjusted. If you decide that a 2" spring isn't that much lower than your saggy old stock springs, then you end up buying the spindles anyway.

BowTieOgre · 03-14-2007, 09:39 PM

What I was told is that you can get away with a 2" spring drop without affecting your handling much but if you want to go lower its best to get the drop spindles like JD said.

Ole Blue 68 · 03-14-2007, 11:10 PM

Got it, so if I want to be more aggressive and go 3/5 then I'd be better off with the drop spindles?

Ole Blue 68 · 03-15-2007, 10:08 AM

Ok, just one more question. (I feel like Columbo...)

Some of the spindle packages that are out there include tie rods/ball joints for 63-70 while others sell an "upgrade" with tie rods/ball joints for 73-87. Which would you all go with?

smh292 · 03-15-2007, 10:24 AM

Either way you should still have the front end aligned after you modify it, unless you want to buy new front tires as well.

pat · 03-15-2007, 01:34 PM

I would definitely go with the drop spindles up front, that way you can always get springs when you decide you havent gone low enough..
Seems easier to get the 63-70 tie/rod ball joints setup, and probly a good idea to replace them.

Ole Blue 68 · 03-15-2007, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pat

I would definitely go with the drop spindles up front, that way you can always get springs when you decide you havent gone low enough..
Seems easier to get the 63-70 tie/rod ball joints setup, and probly a good idea to replace them.

Yeah, I'm leaning towards the drop spindles and I figured I would replace the tie rods/ball joints at the same time. I was just wondering if going with 73-87 is really an upgrade.

BowTieOgre · 03-15-2007, 03:53 PM

Im not sure if it is an "upgrade" but I was told the availability of the '73-87 model parts makes it a good idea.

PanelDeland · 03-15-2007, 04:00 PM

I think the 73-87 ball joints are cheaper and more widely available.I think that is the reason for going to the 73-87.

Ole Blue 68 · 03-15-2007, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanelDeland

I think the 73-87 ball joints are cheaper and more widely available.I think that is the reason for going to the 73-87.

Thanks for the responses. One of the sites I was checking out said that and it made sense to me.

03-14-2007, 04:17 PM	#1
Ole Blue 68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 1,140	Drop ?- School Me I need some advice on the two options I'm looking at to drop my truck. How much difference in drop will there be between using stock height spindles and 2/4 drop springs vs. drop spindles and 2/4 drop springs? If there is not much difference in the drop, then what is the benefit, if any, of going with the drop spindles? I'm asking because I can pick up a used pair of stock height spindles pretty cheap but if I go with drop spindles I'm pretty much gonna have to buy them new at retail price.

03-14-2007, 04:29 PM	#2
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Drop ?- School Me By using spindles, you maintain (for the most part) the factory geometry. Also, if 2.5" isn't enough, you have the option to trim a single coil off the stock springs and get another 1.5" or so. If you use a 2" spring, then you will need to have the front end adjusted. If you decide that a 2" spring isn't that much lower than your saggy old stock springs, then you end up buying the spindles anyway. __________________ New Project: 1966 LWB C20 Plans: 1/2 ton conversion Dropmember front Dropmember rear Corvette discs Restored raised bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4295210

03-14-2007, 09:39 PM	#3
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	Re: Drop ?- School Me What I was told is that you can get away with a 2" spring drop without affecting your handling much but if you want to go lower its best to get the drop spindles like JD said. __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads

03-14-2007, 11:10 PM	#4
Ole Blue 68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 1,140	Re: Drop ?- School Me Got it, so if I want to be more aggressive and go 3/5 then I'd be better off with the drop spindles?

03-15-2007, 10:08 AM	#5
Ole Blue 68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 1,140	Re: Drop ?- School Me Ok, just one more question. (I feel like Columbo...) Some of the spindle packages that are out there include tie rods/ball joints for 63-70 while others sell an "upgrade" with tie rods/ball joints for 73-87. Which would you all go with?

03-15-2007, 10:24 AM	#6
smh292 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Phoenixville PA Posts: 197	Re: Drop ?- School Me Either way you should still have the front end aligned after you modify it, unless you want to buy new front tires as well. __________________ www.diverserides.com WTB 67-68 SWB, 350, Auto, Coil frame, Discs up front - PM me with details

03-15-2007, 01:34 PM	#7
pat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lindsay, TX Posts: 1,245	Re: Drop ?- School Me I would definitely go with the drop spindles up front, that way you can always get springs when you decide you havent gone low enough.. Seems easier to get the 63-70 tie/rod ball joints setup, and probly a good idea to replace them. __________________ 68 Chevy 383/350 w/shift kit, 380hp/425ft-lbs, 4.5/5 drop, 17" TT2s 64 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

03-15-2007, 03:53 PM	#9
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	Re: Drop ?- School Me Im not sure if it is an "upgrade" but I was told the availability of the '73-87 model parts makes it a good idea. __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads

03-15-2007, 04:00 PM	#10
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Drop ?- School Me I think the 73-87 ball joints are cheaper and more widely available.I think that is the reason for going to the 73-87. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

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