Better lowering alternative idea

[QuinnSY]

I have my truck lowered 2 inches in the front and the suspension barely sits on the bump stops along with at rest the control arms aren't level with the ground, but pointing up from the center outward. An idea I had was using a 2" lowering spindle for a 2nd gen S10. It looks to be extremely close to what ours looks like, but maybe the CV axle is what is different and it would bolt up to the tie rods, and upper/lower Arms?

I realize that I would have to trim the underside of the cladding to make this work, but there just doesn't seem to be much suspension travel at all on any of the lowered syty's I have seen and this would give us full motion back, stock geometry and a great ride.

Does anyone know the differences in the 1st and 2nd gen 4x4 s10 suspensions? I'm almost certain upper and lower A-arms are the same but maybe the hub or CV axle is different. Any insight would help. Thanks!

http://www.carparts.com/details/Chevrolet/S10/McGaughys/Spindle/2002/MCG33004.html?TID=80000000CP&origin=pla&CP=1&CP_SRC=PPC&003

 

[QuinnSY]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

I just looked up the axles and steering knuckles. The P/N's are the same for 91 T and 94 T pick-ups. (remember, the body style only changed for the pick up for 94, the blazer didn't change until 95). My parts fische ends with 1994 models, I can't check newer.

I did snap this shot of the upper ball joint nut and axle shaft. Look how close they are. The axle can't go up much until it hits the nut and stud.

Another thing is that by raising the spindle centerline, the upper a-arm and bushings are taking higher compression loads when cornering. There's a reason the lower bushings are bigger and stronger than the uppers. The uppers don't take as much load in comparison to the lowers. But now the uppers will take more. They won't last as long, and there will be higher compliance in the upper bushings.

Watch out for bumping curbs, parking stops, and even bridge abutments. The lower arm is strong enough to withstand these loads. The upper isn't. These loads will stress the upper now, because of the raised spindle.

Finally, wheel diameter. The site specs that a minimum of 17" wheel will be required. It's easy to see why. If smaller, the wheel won't fit over the bottom of the knuckle.

And my final observation, the sway bar attachment will be very close to the wheel. I measured DesertSy which has 9.5 X 17 fronts, and there is about 2.25" of clearance. Raise the spindle 2", and there would be <.25 of clearance. The swaybar and its attachment is well 'inside' the inner lip of the wheel.

So there's some observations. All the parts are the same between 91 and 94. (Not sure about later 2nd gen. Isn't the sway bar attachment different?) You need minimum 17" wheels, which you have. I've seen drop-spindles mentioned before, but am unaware of anyone actually trying them. Be the first. Be the pioneer.

Thanks for the reply Dave. That is a good point on the upper a-arm ball joint getting in the way and having more load on it. Might get knocked out of alignment easier also. The one other concern I had was the angle of the CV joint when the suspension is fully collapsed. I'm sure the joint would wear out quicker. Good points, I'll have to measure for clearances before I order them to test out.

 

[jeepruby04]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

You will also need to do something about the brakes. These spindles are for 2001 and up which have the dual piston calipers. Check here for some more info http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=94481&page=2

 

[QuinnSY]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

You will also need to do something about the brakes. These spindles are for 2001 and up which have the dual piston calipers. Check here for some more info http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=94481&page=2

I have the C06 brakes on it which the Renz adapter bolts next to where the hub bolts on which not that I look at how the upper hub mounting hole is blind it may not work due to the way the brackets bolt up. It would have to be a different custom bracket or I would have to go to the 2nd gen brakes of some sort...

 

[mattw]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

I want! I didn't know anyone was making these. Too bad I'm not running 17" rims as I already run 2nd gen knuckles, front brakes, and sway bar...

 

[2kwik4u]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

I know they are different than the 4wd, however I believe that the caliper mounting is the same between the 4wd and the 2wd.

Here's a whole folder of 2wd 2gen Blazer Dual Piston Brake pictures for your reference. I converted the front of my '00 2wd truck to run the 2wd blazer front dual piston setup. I ran the 2" drop beltech spindles with this setup as well, although I can't find the pictures for those spindles for some reason.

2WD 2Gen Blazer Calipers and Spindle setup

I also seem to think that someone here has done the conversion to the new style spindles, Ian maybe? I seem to remember hearing about it during one of the national events, but can't remember who it was. I have a tendency to forget a bit at those events. Dunno why

 

[mattw]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

I switched to 2nd gen stuff a long time ago..

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

nice :redx:

 

[pearl91chevy]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

Thanks for the reply Dave. That is a good point on the upper a-arm ball joint getting in the way and having more load on it. Might get knocked out of alignment easier also. The one other concern I had was the angle of the CV joint when the suspension is fully collapsed. I'm sure the joint would wear out quicker. Good points, I'll have to measure for clearances before I order them to test out.

My Ty is lowered much more then most and I have only blown out 1 cv joint and for all I know that was the original one with 150k miles on it. I wouldn't worry about it to much

 

[canadian]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts/front_-_spindles_-_2-qt-/6212/mcgaughysmcg33004-.aspx

Check out all the vehicles it fits. It says it fits both the newer S10's but also the full sized trucks. So does that mean you could swap hubs from a full sized truck when doing upgrades on the front suspension? Just wondering.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts/front_-_spindles_-_2-qt-/6212/mcgaughysmcg33004-.aspx

Check out all the vehicles it fits. It says it fits both the newer S10's but also the full sized trucks. So does that mean you could swap hubs from a full sized truck when doing upgrades on the front suspension? Just wondering.

where does it say that? I entered 1993, 1995, 2000 and 2001 for Chevy & GMC, S10, Blazer and Jimmy and NONE of them say they will fit the vehicle entered. :dunno:

According to the manufactures website, they fit 1999-2006 1500 Series Fullsize Trucks http://www.mcgaughys-suspension.com...t-2-drop-spindles-mcgaughys-part-33002-33004/

 

[leadfoot]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

where does it say that? I entered 1993, 1995, 2000 and 2001 for Chevy & GMC, S10, Blazer and Jimmy and NONE of them say they will fit the vehicle entered. :dunno:

According to the manufactures website, they fit 1999-2006 1500 Series Fullsize Trucks http://www.mcgaughys-suspension.com...t-2-drop-spindles-mcgaughys-part-33002-33004/

It lists the S10's in the view all link:

"Please select a vehicle above to see if this part fits or view all vehicles this item fits."

:tup:

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

They also have the Chevy Venture minivan on that list :rotf: i think its safe to say its highly inaccurate

 

[mattw]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

They also have the Chevy Venture minivan on that list :rotf: i think its safe to say its highly inaccurate

Their site is horrible but I do think they offer a set of 4x4 drop spindles for 2nd gen S10 trucks. That being said I think you would need to have front brakes that are compatible with the 2nd gen spindle(steering knuckle) bolt pattern. They also say you need 17" or larger rims. Take a look at these pics:

These are my stock 2nd gen 4x4 spindles:

This is a pic of the drop spindles from this link(http://www.carparts.com/details/Che...TID=80000000CP&origin=pla&CP=1&CP_SRC=PPC&003 )

It says its for a "2002 Chevrolet S10" and lists the following models:
Fits 2002 Chevrolet S10

2001-2003 Base; All Engines;
2001-2003 ZR2; All Engines;
2001-2004 LS; All Engines;
2001-2004 ZR5; All Engines;



I'd be all over these if I thought I could make them fit inside a stock 16" rim..

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

How can those possibly work? There are only two bolt holes for the bearing and 3 on ours... Just use different bearings?

 

[mattw]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

How can those possibly work? There are only two bolt holes for the bearing and 3 on ours... Just use different bearings?

There are 3 holes.. Look at the rest of the pics on that link in my last post. I assume that top bolt hole is threaded and you just run a bolt in from the other side...

EDIT: Grabbed a pic for you:

 

[cheatham2492]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

Not to tread on the thread but
I have a couple ??
If I understand correctly,
to use the gen 2 Spindles you have to change -
axels,caliper's,rotors and spindles to gen 2.??

LS1 or C5 stuff wont bolt on to gen2 spindles..??

Can you use the same axle as stock?

Are the Gen 2 CV axle placement in the same place as our stock spindle?

TIA.
Looks like a very worth while up grade.
Im in the middle of this my self and the Gen 2 arms look more refined and I need to rebuild the axles any way.
Cheatie

 

[mattw]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

If I understand correctly,
to use the gen 2 Spindles you have to change -
axels,caliper's,rotors and spindles to gen 2.??

Nope.. Just the calipers and rotors. The stock 2nd Gen stuff is a huge improvement over stock 1st gen. They are large dual piston calipers. The drawback though is they are all steel and heavy.

LS1 or C5 stuff wont bolt on to gen2 spindles..??

I think there are brackets available to make that stuff work. You would need to research that.

Can you use the same axle as stock?

Are the Gen 2 CV axle placement in the same place as our stock spindle?

Yes and yes.

 

[Horsehammerr]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

Their site is horrible but I do think they offer a set of 4x4 drop spindles for 2nd gen S10 trucks. That being said I think you would need to have front brakes that are compatible with the 2nd gen spindle(steering knuckle) bolt pattern. They also say you need 17" or larger rims. Take a look at these pics:

These are my stock 2nd gen 4x4 spindles:

This is a pic of the drop spindles from this link(http://www.carparts.com/details/Che...TID=80000000CP&origin=pla&CP=1&CP_SRC=PPC&003 )

It says its for a "2002 Chevrolet S10" and lists the following models:
Fits 2002 Chevrolet S10

2001-2003 Base; All Engines;
2001-2003 ZR2; All Engines;
2001-2004 LS; All Engines;
2001-2004 ZR5; All Engines;



I'd be all over these if I thought I could make them fit inside a stock 16" rim..

I see the top bolt hole for the Hub Bearing missing, can that still be strong enough ? If that would still work , I'll be hunting up some 17" wheels.

 

[canadian]

Re: Better lowering alternative idea

If you wanted to swap everything over, you'd need pretty much the entire front setup from the Gen 2 truck. Upper/lower control arms, knuckles, hubs, rotors, calipers, and sway bar. The Gen 2 sway bars are bigger if I remember correctly. If you wanted to do bare bones, you'd need the hubs, knuckles, rotors, and calipers.