2.5" Drop Spindle Step-By-Step (as completed at the TN Meet & Greet last weekend)

[jewels.]

Hi all!
We just got back from the Tennessee Meet & Greet at Ron's (click here for pics) this last weekend. I took lots of pictures of the group project, and I need to post the Step-By-Step of what we did.

We took a 1968 Stepside (it belongs to thelonerife, not me) and we added 2.5" drop spindles, and cut coil springs (for an extra 2.5 inches). What fun!

FYI, I have been known in the past for my elaborate project descriptions including lots of photos. It will take me a while to finish this thread (at ten pics per post), but I promise to complete it!

Here are the details:

First, put the truck up on jack stands with a jack, and remove the wheels. Boy, if you don't know this step, I suggest you just read this thread, and leave the work to the mechanics! BTW, that is thelonerife (Chuck) there in the photo next to his truck.



Make sure to bury yourself pretty deep into the wheel wells of the truck, or you will never enjoy this project. Here is thelonerife (Chuck) buried in a wheel well.

And here is 5150 (Brian) also buried inside a wheel well.

It is also important to have very important supervisors. Here, pickles (Margaret) is making sure everything is correct.

And here are some other very important supervisors. On the right is our TN resident teacher, woodridge (Woody), who is always the best technical support line you can find! He made sure not to bring a forklift license this year! :LOL:

Now, it is extremely important that you have lots of extra chairs around for all of us who want to watch.
From left to right, this is retodd7711 (Todd), luv2xclr8 (Craig), tycoon4u, and blue_71 (Josh).


OK - Back to the Step-By-Step:
Remove the connection to the tie-rod, so the steering is disconnected.


Next, turn one of the wheels/spindles/brake assemblies so you can easily get in behind it. You need to remove a cotterpin from both the top and bottom castlenuts on the ball joints. Blue_71 (Josh) has just informed me that you must have a jack under the lower A-arm with upward pressure before you can remove these castlenuts.


Yes, I will continue posting below.... keep reading! ------------>