2" Drop Spindles on a '69

[Larrry B.]

Has anyone done this on a '69?
Thoughts, opinions, hiccups?

Considering doing this to my RR. I spoke with PST and was told I can use the existing steering linkage so it would really just be the spindles and rotors. Unfortunately they have no ETA on when the parts will be back in stock, if at all, but I found three other vendors that says they have them currently available.

Not looking to debate T-bar settings vs spindles. I've done extensive suspension and steering upgrades already but would like to get the front lower.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Larrry B.]

I think I'll be trying this out, will report back once complete.

 

[Mattias]

What suppliers have you found for the spindles? Are the spindles different from different suppliers?

 

[Kern Dog]

Not looking to debate T-bar settings vs spindles. I've done extensive suspension and steering upgrades already but would like to get the front lower.

You want to be lower than this ?

I don't have dropped spindles, just 1.15 torsion bars and trimmed lower bumpstops. The car rides firm but not harsh.

 

[Larrry B.]

What suppliers have you found for the spindles? Are the spindles different from different suppliers?

I contacted Performance Online and asked the same question I asked PST, and was basically told the same thing. I can use the existing steering linkage with only changing the spindles and rotors, possibly bearings as well.

https://www.performanceonline.com/1962-74-Mopar-A-B-and-E-Body-Drop-Spindles/

I've read / head on more than one occasion (on this forum and others), the spindles that Magnum Force has are the same as PST. Fat Man might be similar, might be a different story...

You want to be lower than this ?
View attachment 910976 View attachment 910977

I don't have dropped spindles, just 1.15 torsion bars and trimmed lower bumpstops. The car rides firm but not harsh.

I know you've done a fair amount of steering & suspension upgrades on your car and it looks good. I never though about trimming the bump stops but I guess that would work...

I've also done a lot on my car, the only things left that I have not done yet (but have parts for) are US Car Tool torque boxes and XV Racing inner fender support. Probably sometime next year once I get some body work done.

Without taking T-bar adjustment to an extreme I'd still like to get the font lower. I've been doing a lot of canyon / HWY driving so I'm willing to try it out. I may also try to get 17" wheels on so I can get a tire upgrade, not the 18's that I'll eventually want but it's a step up from 15" steel wheels and the BFG's I got on now.

It's a step by step process but everything has definitely helped the car perform much better.

 

[Larrry B.]

Parts FINALLY arrived and will try to get them on in the next week or two, new wheels / tires inbound next week also.

 

[Kern Dog]

Those funnel shaped mounting bosses look unusual. It makes me curious if you'd need a Bugle shaped screw/bolt for the lower ball joint so the head has adequate contact.

 

[Pistol Pete]

View attachment 944045

Parts FINALLY arrived and will try to get them on in the next week or two, new wheels / tires inbound next week also.

So whose spindles did you go with ?

 

[Larrry B.]

Those funnel shaped mounting bosses look unusual. It makes me curious if you'd need a Bugle shaped screw/bolt for the lower ball joint so the head has adequate contact.

Supplied hardware fits and I was told there should be no issue by both PST (out of stock, no e.t.a. and possibly N/A) initially and also Performance Online when asked about what can be used on the swap.
Of course being told something and actual fitting are two different things so we'll see. I should have some results in about a week hopefully.

So whose spindles did you go with ?

Performance Online
https://www.performanceonline.com/1962-74-Mopar-A-B-and-E-Body-Drop-Spindles/

It took almost 3 weeks longer to get the parts so I'm not sure if they have them stocked right now.
I did contact Magnum Force and was told they have them ready to ship.

From all 3 vendors they look to be the same part, I think it just comes down to price (with or without tax) and shipping to determine who to order from..

 

[BLK 68 R/T]

I did the drop spindles from PST, stock steering linkage. No issues.

one thing I did have an issue with was where the caliper bracket mounts to the spindle. The spindles required some “finesseing” with a die grinder in order to make the caliper bracket fit correctly.

 

[Larrry B.]

I did the drop spindles from PST, stock steering linkage. No issues.

one thing I did have an issue with was where the caliper bracket mounts to the spindle. The spindles required some “finesseing” with a die grinder in order to make the caliper bracket fit correctly.

Thanks, I was thinking of that specifically yesterday.

 

[Larrry B.]

Had to grind the new rotors out some to fit with the brake kit currently on the car, caliper bracket as well but managed to get it all in there.

2" drop spindles with Hotchkis leaf springs along with a bunch of other stuff.
I like how the stance is now, I could go lower now that there is more space as the T-bars are not right on the bump stops.

 

[Larrry B.]

Brake pads were hitting the rotor, I got this kit long enough ago I don't remember where (probably e-bay) so there was some "finessing" involved.
Sprayed some silver paint on the calipers now that you can see them as well.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

View attachment 956877

Had to grind the new rotors out some to fit with the brake kit currently on the car, caliper bracket as well but managed to get it all in there.

2" drop spindles with Hotchkis leaf springs along with a bunch of other stuff.
I like how the stance is now, I could go lower now that there is more space as the T-bars are not right on the bump stops.

I know this is 5 yrs ago, but how would you compare the steering handling after drop spindles vs before where the front end was lowered via torsion bars only? Any difference?

 

[j-c-c-62]

Has anyone done this on a '69?
Thoughts, opinions, hiccups?

Considering doing this to my RR. I spoke with PST and was told I can use the existing steering linkage so it would really just be the spindles and rotors. Unfortunately they have no ETA on when the parts will be back in stock, if at all, but I found three other vendors that says they have them currently available.

Not looking to debate T-bar settings vs spindles. I've done extensive suspension and steering upgrades already but would like to get the front lower.

Thanks in advance.

This is an A body MF 2" drop with 18" wheels, Steering arm is shorter on a b body if I remember correctly, 1 had to use a 1/4" wheel spacer in this pic to get 1/8" wheel clearance, or change to a 19" or larger wheel, and that has other downsides. I think you are wasting time and money making the baby step to 17".

 

[Kern Dog]

An A body with the 1973 and later knuckles will use the same lower ball joint/steering arm as a B body 1962-72, right?
There have been comments about alignment curve differences with the dropped spindles, maybe some bump steer increases as well.
I don't see the need for them since stiffer torsion bars and trimmed bump stops allow enough suspension travel to satisfy me.
Going much lower than I am puts you at risk of headers scraping speed bumps and such.

 

[j-c-c-62]

An A body with the 1973 and later knuckles will use the same lower ball joint/steering arm as a B body 1962-72, right?
There have been comments about alignment curve differences with the dropped spindles, maybe some bump steer increases as well.
I don't see the need for them since stiffer torsion bars and trimmed bump stops allow enough suspension travel to satisfy me.
Going much lower than I am puts you at risk of headers scraping speed bumps and such.

Interchangeability, I do not know enough to comment.
I figure low headers need reprogramming by just driving the car, bumps and all. like self-tuning EFI.
On wheel travel the problem arises when misjudging your apex;s and the curbs bottom out your wheel travel, hard on the car, and hard to recover from.
Granted, bump steer is always an issue with every change and is resolved or compromised on or somewhere in between

 

[1 Wild R/T]

An A body with the 1973 and later knuckles will use the same lower ball joint/steering arm as a B body 1962-72, right?
There have been comments about alignment curve differences with the dropped spindles, maybe some bump steer increases as well.
I don't see the need for them since stiffer torsion bars and trimmed bump stops allow enough suspension travel to satisfy me.
Going much lower than I am puts you at risk of headers scraping speed bumps and such.

You could even rip a muffler off...