DJM lowering control arm

[73stepside]

I have a 73 C10 and am thinking of purchasing lowering control arms from DJM suspension.I had a problem with clearence using dropped spindles.I took the dropped spindles off and now have 2 coils cut with stock spindles.I have no clearence problems, Railroad tracks and speedbumps are no problem.Alignent is no problem either.However the ride is a little bumpy on rough roads.I want a 4 or 5 inch drop.I have 15 in.60 series tires,I like the old school tucked in look.Will these control arm give me a smoother ride because I can get a 5 in.drop using 2 in. dropped springs or stock springs with 1 coil removed,wich is better than the 2 coils I now have chopped off.And will I have clearence problem with these arms.

[roundedline]

What clearance issues did you have with dropped spindles?

Dropped control arms have the spring pocket lowered down, so they are closer to the ground that the factory ones.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[73stepside]

My clearence problems was with my lower control arm.I actually bent the passenger side arm after hitting a manhole cover.There was approximately 2 inches clearence.Would'nt the lowering arm move the center of the stock spindle higher thus increasing ground clearence. I now have two coils cut with stock spindles and lower arms and clearence is not a problem.I choose the bumpier ride over throwing sparks anyday.I thought the lowered arms combined with a 2 inch lowered spring would give me the same ground clearence that I have now with 2 cut coils while maintaining the stance.I appreciate any help.If all else fails I will just leave it the way it is.

[73stepside]

I forgot to say that that when I first put the 3 inch dropped spindles the ride was great and there was no clearence problems.The problem was it was too high,I wanted another 2 inch drop,so I cut 1 coil.It looked like I wanted it to but thats when the scraping started.This truck is my daily driver and I use it to haul sometimes.What I'm trying to say is dropped spindles+2 in.coils+15 in. wheels don't work and are dangerous.I prefer just cutting 2 coils and leaving everything else stock.Unless theres a better way. Any suggestions would be appreciated as long as it does'nt involve cutting the frame or body.I have seen a bolt -in front end from fatman fabrications using their crossmember and mustang2 A-arms,but its more than I want to spend.Thanks

[roundedline]

Quote:Would'nt the lowering arm move the center of the stock spindle higher thus increasing ground clearence

No, the way lowered control arms lower a truck is the spring pocket is lowered the designated amount.  This causes the arm to move up in its normal arc the amount of drop as though the spring is compress.  This moves the tire/spindle/control arm up and brings the crossmember closer to the ground and lowers the truck.

With spindles, everything from the spindles in stays in the same spot and the "axle" area of the spindle is moved up and out basically moving the tire assembly up.  This lowers everything from the spindles in down, but the angle of the control arm stay pointed down. This gives a decrease in ride height without changing the ride.

Springs have the same effect as lowered control arm.  The spring is physically shorter at compressed height and the lower control arm moves up (it is the only movable piece between the top and bottom of the spring) to seat the spring, this moves the end of the control arm up along with the tire assembly and moves the control arm closer to the ground.  

The spindles did not cause the problem, adding the cut springs on top of them did.  Regardless of what method you use, all are lowereing the center of the truck around the tires.  You could have left the spindles on and replaced the coils and you would have been fine also.  If you plan on having the truck as a daily driver I recommend not going over a 4/6" drop, 5/7" is the max, but it requires modified driving.

I have a mod that will lower the truck 1.5" without changing any of the suspension parts.  It is a chopped crossmember that I sell to customers.  It is basically like the fatman product, but you use all your stock truck pieces.  It lowers the frame down not the tires up.  

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[73stepside]

Thanks for the info.That crossmember sounds like what I need.I figure if I use my dropped spindles that I removed along with that crossmember it would give me a 4.5 in. drop which is what i want. I will call for more info on that crossmember,I did'nt see it on the online catalogue.

[roundedline]

The crossmember isn't listed in the catalog because it is a custom piece I do for my custom shop, www.captkaoscustoms.com  It is $385 to chop one down + $75 core or a customer supplied crossmember + shipping.

This is what the piece will look like when completed:


This isn't a simple component replacement.  It requires A LOT of modification to the trucks steering components and tearing down the front suspension of the truck.


The engine MUST be removed, then the crossmember removed, then the components swapped over to the chopped one and then everything put back in place.  New steering shafts and joints must be purchased to go around the upper control arm.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[evlc10]

I've got a 82 c10 can anyone tell me what uni joints are used here, are they 3/4 inch DD ? and the spline count. Thanks.

[Captkaos]

This is a REALLY old thread, are you talking about the Borgensen joints?  Can you start another topic relative to what you are asking?  this is about drop control arms and is 7 years old