spindles and whith

[HERB]

I just finished mocking up my front suspension on my 65 sub. Control arms and drop spindles from 87 sub. Well I hung a fender and discovered that now my front end is wider than the stock rear dif. My question is, is there a way to narrow the front end back to stock whith? 1 1/2 rotors by the way. thanks.

[Slow Build]

Most dropped spindles will move your wheels out 3/4" per side. CPP modular spindles only move them out 1/4" per side. I know that's not what you wanted to here since it sounds like you already have your spindles but I dont know of any other way to give more fender clearance other than narrower tires.

[Rich 5150 69]

Thats the first thing ECE will tell you before you convert to disc...

[protrash64]

Section out your control arms.

[HERB]

I took the spindles to the machine shop and had them move the holes for the ball joints in 3/4 inch. Problem solved everything bolted back up perfect. No more four wheel drive look. Happy but poorer now.

[Slow Build]

Originally Posted by HERB

I took the spindles to the machine shop and had them move the holes for the ball joints in 3/4 inch. Problem solved everything bolted back up perfect.

Got pictures?

[kieth]

I think you will find the 87 front end was also 3/4" per side wider....

[HERB]

Slowbuild, I did not take pictures. I knew if I didn't I'd wished I had. What he did was make plugs for the old holes and milled new ones.

Kieth, I beleave the difference in width is in the spindles. I did not change crossmember only control arms and they measured the same lenth. It must be to make them the same as the rear dif. width.

There must be others who have fixed this. I am not building a show outfit I just know what I want.

[kieth]

OK, I had not realize that was where the width increase was, I am having the same problem u are with wheels, might look into machining it out......Thanks, Kieth

[HERB]

DSC00161.JPG
Pictures of new ball joint mounted in new holes.

[neslie]

I got my disc kit from pol with 1 1/4 rotors. Do these have the same problem?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by HERB

I just finished mocking up my front suspension on my 65 sub. Control arms and drop spindles from 87 sub. Well I hung a fender and discovered that now my front end is wider than the stock rear dif. My question is, is there a way to narrow the front end back to stock whith? 1 1/2 rotors by the way. thanks.

It was always wider in stock drum brake form.
The disc brake/drop spindle combo make it worse.

Porterbuilt Fabrication sells 1" narrower tubular a-arms.
CPP sells a 2" Modular drop spindle that will bring you back close to your drum brake width.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by neslie

I got my disc kit from pol with 1 1/4 rotors. Do these have the same problem?

Same as all others with the exception of CPP's 2" Modular drop spindles.

[oldtrux]

after reading this thread i ran out to the garage and started measuring lol.i have ec's drop spindles,also got there 5 bolt replacement axles.front is 64 1/2'' rear is 63 1/2.is a half inch on either side a really big deal for tires?just asking.....just to understand,lolife you are saying that originally the front was a little wider than the rear?do you know how much?

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by oldtrux

after reading this thread i ran out to the garage and started measuring lol.i have ec's drop spindles,also got there 5 bolt replacement axles.front is 64 1/2'' rear is 63 1/2.is a half inch on either side a really big deal for tires?just asking.....just to understand,lolife you are saying that originally the front was a little wider than the rear?do you know how much?

I put a 1975 front end under mine back in 1997, and never noticed it was wider until reading about it on this forum over a decade later. It can become a critical issue depending on how much the front end is lowered, and may require careful attention in selecting wheel offset and tire size.

[oldtrux]

i see your point markeb01,i guess no wheel and tire purchases for me until truck is put back together.thanks dan