Front fender to ground measurement before and after spindle drop

[dbbd1]

^ Yes, exactly. In theory, if you measure in the same spot, before and after, just above the spindle, you should get 2" drop.

However, there are still too many variables to this. When was it measured for the "pre" measurement:
Right after bringing home the kids and a bunch of groceries (springs compressed and not relaxed)
After a long road trip (tires warmed up and expanded a bit)
After being jacked up, oops forgot to measure, and lowered again to measure before to work bring done (suspension stretched and relaxed)
Human error (need I say more)
Uneven ground- but hey, it looks level (subtle but real weight redistribution)

You get the point. And, don't forget the WTF factor. **** happens. For too many cosmic reasons, things just don't seem to work out the way they should on paper (or garage floors).

I assume that that is why manufacturers always say "3 to3-1/2" instead of specifically stating 3". It's CYA legalese. Is it a 2" drop spindle, yes. Will it lower the spindle 2", yes. After that, it's beyond their control.

 

[iamdub]

I realize the other variables but was focusing strictly on the spindles. The way it was worded was that a 2" spindle on a 2WD yields 2" of drop, but that same 2" spindle on a 4WD yields 1.5"-1.625" of drop.

 

[dbbd1]

I realize the other variables but was focusing strictly on the spindles. The way it was worded was that a 2" spindle on a 2WD yields 2" of drop, but that same 2" spindle on a 4WD yields 1.5"-1.625" of drop.

Yeah, that one I don't get...

 

[olyelr]

However, there are still too many variables to this. When was it measured for the "pre" measurement:
Right after bringing home the kids and a bunch of groceries (springs compressed and not relaxed)
After a long road trip (tires warmed up and expanded a bit)
After being jacked up, oops forgot to measure, and lowered again to measure before to work bring done (suspension stretched and relaxed)
Human error (need I say more)
Uneven ground- but hey, it looks level (subtle but real weight redistribution)

.

None of that really matters. Those are moot points. If you install a 2” drop spindle, the front end lowers 2”. Period. It might sit taller or shorter than JimBobs rig next door, but your vehicle will indeed drop 2”.

 

[dbbd1]

None of that really matters. Those are moot points. If you install a 2” drop spindle, the front end lowers 2”. Period. It might sit taller or shorter than JimBobs rig next door, but your vehicle will indeed drop 2”.

Well, then, can you explain why it is not necessarily so?

There is "should" and then there is "real world."


This ought to be good...

 

[olyelr]

Well, then, can you explain why it is not necessarily so?

There is "should" and then there is "real world."


This ought to be good...

Yes, I sure can.

“Real world” is 2” drop spindles drop the front 2”. Period. No ifs ands or buts about it. If not, then they are not 2” drop spindles.

“Should”, as I am understanding it, is the guys that use 2” drop spindles and then wonder why their rig does not look as low as the guy who also dropped the rear of their ride. Or its not as low as the guy who used the same drop spindles who also has shorter factory springs then their rig has.

 

[dbbd1]

Yes, I sure can.

“Real world” is 2” drop spindles drop the front 2”. Period. No ifs ands or buts about it. If not, then they are not 2” drop spindles.

“Should”, as I am understanding it, is the guys that use 2” drop spindles and then wonder why their rig does not look as low as the guy who also dropped the rear of their ride. Or its not as low as the guy who used the same drop spindles who also has shorter factory springs then their rig has.

Since this whole thread is about front fender-to-ground measurements before and after drop, I was answering the question. Correctly, I might add.

 

[roccos_van]

Could one say that for eg if I ordered 26" wheels and tires which are an inch taller than stock, that even when the front drops 2 inches it will sit only 1.5 inches lower than with factory tires?

 

[dbbd1]

Could one say that for eg if I ordered 26" wheels and tires which are an inch taller than stock, that even when the front drops 2 inches it will sit only 1.5 inches lower than with factory tires?

Probably, yes.

 

[olyelr]

Sadly, high school geometry enters the picture...

Thats right. X-2 equals 2 less than X. Every time.

I understand where you are coming from with fender heights (which was indeed his original question). Those can change quite drastically with just a little different tire pressure, if the vehicle is not perfectly level, if there is different amount of weight in the vehicle, depending on what factory springs it has etc. etc. yada yada.

But to answer the guys original question.... it will be 2” lower than what it would have been before. Regardless of his tire pressure, the barometric pressure, if the humidity is at 73%, or if Uncle Bill is in the 3rd row with his 2 girlfriends. It is gonna be 2” lower... in the front... with a 2” drop spindle.

A better way to originally answer the question would be to state that almost no “two of the same” vehicles will have exactly the same fenders height, so your height will vary. But it will be 2” lower than what your particular height is BEFORE the 2” drop spindle is installed.

 

[WIFFLEHOUSE]

McGaughy’s duped me, them bastards. Only got 1 3/4” drop on what they’re calling a 2” drop spindle. Heads are gonna roll for this

 

[minytrker]

Just installed belltech 2" drop spindles got 1.5" drop on 2015 2wd yukon.

 

[olyelr]

McGaughy’s duped me, them bastards. Only got 1 3/4” drop on what they’re calling a 2” drop spindle. Heads are gonna roll for this

Just installed belltech 2" drop spindles got 1.5" drop on 2015 2wd yukon.

Bear with me here fellas... this lowering stuff is all new to me. I have never been around it before, so I am learning here. I have been around lifted stuff for a long time, and I am no dummy to lifts or suspension systems in general. But, a drop spindle is essentially a complete new spindle which raises the tire mounting location up in comparison to the tire mounting location on the factory spindle, correct? If so, how could it be at all possible for a "2" drop spindle" to not lower the front of the vehicle 2"?

A few thoughts come to mind...

Apparently they are not 2" drop spindles? Did you compare the new spindles with the factory ones? If the bearing mounting location was 2" higher up, then the front of the vehicle lowered 2"... there is just no way around that. Maybe they are not true 2" drop spindles?

Or maybe measurements were taken inconsistently. Where was the vehicle when you took the before measurements? Was it in the exact same location when the after measurements were taken? Same wheel/tire combo? Tires at the same pressure? Inconsistencies in stuff like that will sway the readings. If the ground is not perfectly level/flat when either of the measurements were taken, or the tire pressures are different or tire size is different, the results will certainly very slightly.

Also, what location of the vehicle was the measurement taken? If the measurement was not taken directly vertical with the front tires, then the comparison measurement is a complete moot point. The only part of the vehicle lowering exactly 2" would be directly above the tire.

Just thinking out loud here guys. Trying to grasp all of this. For the life of me I can not understand how a 2" drop spindle could not lower the front of the vehicle 2".

 

[olyelr]

WIFFLEHOUSE, have you posted any pics of your rig with that 2/3 setup? I would love to see some

 

[roccos_van]

WIFFLEHOUSE, have you posted any pics of your rig with that 2/3 setup? I would love to see some

I will try to measure when I lower the truck. I have a feeling that they are close to 2 inch drop spindles but probably not exactly 2 inches so the manufacturer is just saying that for simplicity's sake

 

[olyelr]

I will try to measure when I lower the truck. I have a feeling that they are close to 2 inch drop spindles but probably not exactly 2 inches so the manufacturer is just seeing that for simplicity's sake

Thanks, I am real curious.