Lowering the front

[Luv68's]

Is it better to use lowered spindles or just buy springs ( 3" ) to lower my 68. Obviously they sell both parts for a reason, what are the disadvantages of using only spring to lower my truck?

[SCOTI]

Spindles give you drop w/o changing the factory geometry (not that the geometry was killer or anything). Drop springs decrease the amount of suspension travel & increase the stiffness. However, once lowered, it's a good idea to increase the spring/shock stiffness slightly to prevent suspension bottoming from reduced travel.

My vote, spindles w/1 coil removed from the stock springs.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I removed 1 coil and that was it it came pretty close to matching my 4'' drop rear coil's have not drove it yet though..

[Hooter]

I went with drop spindles, because: 1. I was converting to discs anyways ans 2. I didnt want to screw anything up in the front

[Gene]

There is one disadvantage of using the spindles, if you plan on running a wheel with more than 3 inches of offset you will have to drasticlly trim your lower A-arm to clear the wheel therefore weakening the arm. I would go with lowered tubular drop arms or go with the drop springs. I personally just cut a coil off of mine and after an alignment have had zero problems.

[doughby82]

if you go with just springs.you are going to pay the alignment guy some more cash.if you already have disc brakes up front i would buy the spindels.if not go with the coils.

[Luv68's]

Thanks, many good ideas, but still not sure. Good thing is, it is not my daily driver, so no rush

[jamis]

If you just want the 2 inches I say use the springs because of the cost. You may be able to unbolt the upper A-arm from the cross member and move it out of the way enough to swap the spring without damaging the ball joint boots when spliting the spindle. I have done that before on another vehicle but not on these trucks.

But I would buy the spindles and springs if you want to go lower.

If you want I can ship you a pair of stock disk brake spindles from a 71 that are in my throw away pile, if you want to convert to discs.

[Luv68's]

Hey Juan, I will keep that in mind as I do not have the spindles for my frame.I can't make up my mind on what I want to do, Spindles or Springs

[1972C10]

I took a coil and half off of my springs wich eqauled out being 3 inches and i dont really have any problems with it bottomin unless i go trou a crator in wich it will hit he bumpstops might not be so bad if i took them out of trimmed them down

[zenish]

i didn't have to alter my lower control arms for my 2.5" drop spindles.i tried cutting the springs,but i didn't like the severe angles of the a arms and the wheels were tilted in at the top.i couldn't shim out the upper arm because the tire would have hit the fender.the spindles bolted on and all i had to do is readjust the tierod ends and slightly bend the brake lines to clear the upper ball joint.

[Classic Heartbeat]

I personally say spindles. However if you do that you will have to convert to front disk brakes. Nobody make front drop spindles for drums. So if you are considering going to front disk brakes, I would definetly do the spindles. Because to change over to disk after you lower it with springs, you will have to by conversion spindles, which cost the same money. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

[Luv68's]

Thanks Wes, I checked out your link, do you offer a dropped spindle package w/ rotor kit or do you just offer them as seperate packages?

[RShaips]

I cut one coil off of the front to match my 4" drop springs in the back and it dropped 3" , only really wanted 2 " drop. I think I am going to get the 2" drop springs instead so that I can get a little more travel in my suspension and to make it level with my rear height. My ride is not as good as it was before I cut the springs.

[Rooster's 67]

when you cut the spring, you raise the spring rate of the spring thereby creating greater stress on the spring than it was designed around, which will eventually cause it to fail. A spring with a higher spring rate will be wound out of thicker spring steel than the same spring with a softer spring rate. drop it with spindles or buy drop springs. but too much drop with springs will cause alignment issues.
do not drop more than 2" with drop springs. if you want 3" use 2"spindle and 1"spring or 3" spindles. period.

I have had suspension faiulure at high speed. be gald that I am here to tell you this good advice. DO NOT CUT SPRINGS. PERIOD they will fail.

BUT it is your truck, your LIFE, and your money. it is just advice.

[nturner]

2 1/2 " drop spindle available thru Early Classic ent. 1 888 777-0395 for $269.00, so this becomes a no brainer.. Everything else remains stock and you keep the ride. If you dont already have disk brakes it's still better to go the extra mile and do it right and convert the brakes. In the long run it doesn't cost that much to go first class.

[OldSkool71]

If you are gonna convert to disc up front (which I would recommend) definately use the drop spindle and drop coil. If you are just looking to go a little lower on your current set up use the drop spring. imo

[mcmlxix]

Originally posted by nturner
2 1/2 " drop spindle available thru Early Classic ent. 1 888 777-0395 for $269.00, so this becomes a no brainer.. Everything else remains stock and you keep the ride. If you dont already have disk brakes it's still better to go the extra mile and do it right and convert the brakes. In the long run it doesn,t cost that much to go first class.

Drop spindles are on sale for $229 and springs are now $109 ...