Dropped spidle question?

[c50rob]

This weekend I installed two and a half dropped spindles and disk brakes on my 68. With the front end off the ground and springs unloaded the upper control arm was contacting spindle to the point it was unable to move. I used a grinder a ground back some metal on the control arm. Now is this something that has been encountered before? Or was this an anomally? The kit I used was from POL and except for this the install went remarkably smooth.
Thanks

[SCOTI]

When the suspension is 'un-loaded', contact is possible. Set it down & see if it's still an issue. Deal w/it then....

[Allensracing]

I have a bell tech 3 1/2" drop spindle on my 66. the control arms are the same. I did a lot of grinding to make it clear, and most rims will rub, some severely. I have driving the truck about 200,000 miles since i put them on, and so far it has held together.

I did not make a typo, they are 3 1/2 inch bell techs. I lowered the truck about 20 years ago. I believe they stopped making the spindle shortly after I bought them. I called bell tech before I bought them to see if the 73 spindle would fit my 66, and they told me no way, it could not fit under any circumstances.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Allensracing

I have a bell tech 3 1/2" drop spindle on my 66. the control arms are the same. I did a lot of grinding to make it clear, and most rims will rub, some severely. I have driving the truck about 200,000 miles since i put them on, and so far it has held together.

I did not make a typo, they are 3 1/2 inch bell techs. I lowered the truck about 20 years ago. I believe they stopped making the spindle shortly after I bought them. I called bell tech before I bought them to see if the 73 spindle would fit my 66, and they told me no way, it could not fit under any circumstances.

Not saying it isn't possible..... but I also bought C10 spindles 20+ years ago (1988). The choices then were 2.5 or 3" (Western Chassis @ 2.5; BT @ 3").

They also mis-informed you about the 73 spindles not working. I've been using 73-up spindles on 6x-72 trucks since '88 (when I got into working on them myself). You just have to use the right combo of parts. Stock 66 stuff wouldn't have worked but later year model stuff that was easier to obtain would have.

[Allensracing]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Not saying it isn't possible..... but I also bought C10 spindles 20+ years ago (1988). The choices then were 2.5 or 3" (Western Chassis @ 2.5; BT @ 3").

They also mis-informed you about the 73 spindles not working. I've been using 73-up spindles on 6x-72 trucks since '88 (when I got into working on them myself). You just have to use the right combo of parts. Stock 66 stuff wouldn't have worked but later year model stuff that was easier to obtain would have.

obviously they mis-informed me, i bought them and put them on. the 3 1/2 was stopped about as soon as it was introduced, I guess it had too many clearance issues. somewhere I have the receipt with the part number....

I could be wrong on the drop, but they certainly have clearance issues all around

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Allensracing

obviously they mis-informed me, i bought them and put them on. the 3 1/2 was stopped about as soon as it was introduced, I guess it had too many clearance issues. somewhere I have the receipt with the part number....

I could be wrong on the drop, but they certainly have clearance issues all around

Dropped spindles have always had clearance issues; more-so w/aggressive back-spacing & smaller diameter wheels. I've used 15" truck ralleys (van ralleys @ 15x6.5"w) through the years w/minimal clearance issues up front. They usually require just a small trim of the a-arm lip to avoid contact.

If you find your receipt, post it up. That would be a cool piece of history to have a limited production, aftermarket spindle.

[Allensracing]

still looking for the reciept. I did find my original bill of sale. I wasnt sure when I had bought it, and I was mistaken on that. I did not buy it until may 1989, so it was late 89 or early 90 when I lowered it.
I seem to recall the receipt being about $750 for new moog suspension parts, and the spindles.