Lowering kit
- Thread starter racerx
- Start date
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Jason in DLH
Cheeseburger and Fries
I’ll bump this for you. 
Sorry...not much help here as I opted to lift my rig. Hopefully someone with drop spindles here can help.
Sorry...not much help here as I opted to lift my rig. Hopefully someone with drop spindles here can help.
iamdub
Full Access Member
What clearance issues are you speaking of? Clearance between the spindle and wheel, between the wheel/tire and control arm(s)? Between the tire and fender or inner fender?
Kee Fuller
Full Access Member
Shouldn’t have any issues with a 2 inch drop up front. I don’t think you even need spindles honestly
between the wheel and ball joint nut
Read of people having to grind the nut for clearance
Ilikemtb999
Full Access Member
I’ve got belltech knuckles up front, I had to cut the non threaded part off the lower ball joint. Also had to manipulate all 4 inner fender liners to not rub over uneven surfaces like driveways.
those are 17” steelies if it wasn’t apparent.
those are 17” steelies if it wasn’t apparent.
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iamdub
Full Access Member
Ah. That's definitely a wheel diameter thing. If all it requires to run 17s is to cut the non-threaded part off the ball joint, as @Ilikemtb999 did, then that's nothing and harmless. I've seen on the 4WD that the stud of the upper ball joint has to be trimmed and a thinner nut used to clear the CV axle. Again- it's nothing and harmless.
Ilikemtb999
Full Access Member
At least I’m pretty sure I didn’t cut any thread, but now that you mention the thinner nut then maybe I did. I’ll go and snap a picture in a minute
iamdub
Full Access Member
You said you cut the lower ball joint so I assumed that was to clear the 17" wheel since that's all that would possibly interfere with a long stud on a lower ball joint. The stud of the upper ball joint would interfere with the CV joint. Hell, maybe you trimmed both and don't remember? lol
I've only had 20s or larger on mine so I wouldn't know. But, this prompts me to check into it in case I ever have a flat in the front cuz my spare is a 17" steely.
Ilikemtb999
Full Access Member
Yea it’s been a few years, I don’t recall having any issue with doing it and riding on stock springs I think has its advantages.
tightchevelle69
TYF Newbie
also note if you have stick on weights inside the wheel. with stock 18's we had to trim the lower balljoint a good amount onto the threads to make sure it cleared the weights with an amount of space i was comfortable with. pic is with the stock 18's with 3" in the front and 4" in the rear.
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CrashTestDummy
Full Access Member
We had to cut the ball joint stud AND install thinner nuts before the factory steel wheel would go on. I seem to remember there was a bit more clearance on one side vs. the other, but both had to get the trim and thinner nut.
tightchevelle69
TYF Newbie
I believe my spindles came with thinner nuts that we ended up using as well.
