installing drop spindle

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Gene76

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2022
Posts
5
Reaction score
4
Location
dawson mn
First Name
Gene
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
I want to install 2 1/2" drop spindles on my stock 1976 chevy c10 and am interested if any issues will come on doing this as I have read about having to do some cutting on the lower control arms. I plan on maybe 17 x8" rims As of now I am considering just smotthie style chrome rims. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have lowered the rear a couple inches already. Any preference on suppliers also.
Thanks
Gene
 

bluex

Full Access Member
Joined
May 9, 2013
Posts
1,943
Reaction score
2,480
Location
Spartanburg SC
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C15
Engine Size
350
With a 17x8 you shouldn't need to trim the a-arms, that's usually only an issue with a 15x8.

You will have to bend the brake line slightly for clearance around the upper ball joint nut. Not really a big deal though.
 

shelly

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2024
Posts
14
Reaction score
30
Location
Missouri, USA
First Name
Jonathan
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
R30 crew cab single wheel
Engine Size
TBI 350
When I did my 3" drop spindles with a 3" drop spring I could not run my factory 16"s due to them contacting the A arms. I ended up running 20's and now waiting on tubular control arms to fix my steering issues associated with the drop, but your 17's should work just fine. Just like bluex said you will need to bend the break line. I however did not need to clearance the ball-joint nut.
 

Gene76

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2022
Posts
5
Reaction score
4
Location
dawson mn
First Name
Gene
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
Thanks bluex I just ran across your reply.
 

SS1019

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2024
Posts
5
Reaction score
6
Location
St. Helens, OR
First Name
Steve
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 SWB
Engine Size
377
I just installed 2 1/2" dropped spindles on my 78 C10. McGaughys spindles, no interference with the 15x8 rallies on the front. Had to remove the wheel weights from the inside rim and replace them with stick on tape weights in the center of the wheels was the only issue.
 

Scott91370

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2018
Posts
974
Reaction score
978
Location
Burleson, Tx
First Name
Scott
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Sierra1500
Engine Size
350
McGaughys spindles, no interference with the 15x8 rallies on the front. Had to remove the wheel weights from the inside rim and replace them with stick on tape weights in the center of the wheels was the only issue.
The weights are what hit on my 85 as well.
But I went up wheel size so it wasn't an issue. I'd like to actually find some 4" spindles (to get rid of the drop springs) but I think that moves the geometry up too far and they're not made.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
43,545
Posts
937,766
Members
35,447
Latest member
78crustdumdlux
Top