Qwank's 2017 Regular Cab Z71 build

qwank · March 30, 2018

My Belltech spindles. Way different than the Mcgaughy's

lovelessjl · March 30, 2018

Sweet, you're gonna be in the weeds in no time

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qwank · April 1, 2018

So I finally got around to installing the drop spindles today.

I did the right side first to make sure that my axle was going to clear the drop struts and make sure everything else was going to fit. The top ball joint stud was really close to the front axle boot so I had to cut 1/4" off the stud. The instructions said 1/4" to 1/2" but if you do a 1/2'' there's no way there there be enough threads for the nut. They are a little shorter than I am comfortable with so I may get a shorter nut if I can find one.

I then tried to fit my stock 18'' wheel and it hit the lower stud, so I needed to cut about a 1/4'' off that one too. My 17'' spare won't fit the front but I don't want to cut it down any more.

So right side went fine. on to the left side. Got it all apart, trimmed upper ball joint stud. Moved onto the lower stud and 2/3 of the way through my Cutoff wheel shattered sending two broken pieces into my left wrist and hand! I was sitting on the floor and dropped the grinder which made it wrap up in my pants leg and cut my leg a little. With blood shooting everywhere I unplugged the grinder so it would stop and fumbled with it for a few minutes trying to remove it from my pant leg so I could get to the hospital. I finally gave up and kicked off my shoes and took my pants off. grabbed another pair of work pants and went to the hospital. 45 minutes later, after 8 stitches and a tetanus shot. i went back home and finished up.

So I finished cutting the lower stud with my air cutoff tool and buttoned up the left side. Got it back on the ground and measured everything. I only gained an extra inch of drop.

Not sure why it didn't go the full two inches but it is no where near as low as I thought it would be.

I took it for a ride and it still rides just as well as it did before the flip kit and spindles. I realized I forgot to take pictures once I was done so I'll take some tomorrow and post them up.

Here's the Belltech spindle next to the stock spindle.

Here's the spindle on the truck.

Here's my axle clearance

And here's the before and after of the upper stud to the axle gap.

lovelessjl · April 1, 2018

Sorry to hear about the cutoff wheel mishap, glad you're alright.

Give the truck a few days, and drive it around some more, then measure again in a couple hundred miles, just to see if the truck settles any. Mine settled an additional inch after driving it around a while.

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Nasty · April 1, 2018

Belltech makes a half nut. Which I have on my truck

qwank · April 1, 2018

7 hours ago, lovelessjl said:

Sorry to hear about the cutoff wheel mishap, glad you're alright.

Give the truck a few days, and drive it around some more, then measure again in a couple hundred miles, just to see if the truck settles any. Mine settled an additional inch after driving it around a while.

thanks, man.

You used springs though, so those will settle, I'm not sure anything will settle with the spindles. we shall see though.

Edited April 1, 2018 by qwank

qwank · April 1, 2018

4 hours ago, Nasty said:

Belltech makes a half nut. Which I have on my truck

They gave me a small nut for the lower ball joint, which I didn't need because I'm not running 17s. They have one for the upper ball joint too?

lovelessjl · April 1, 2018

Good point about settling... Strange that adding 2" spindles only brought the truck down 1" though.

Looks like you have plenty of clearance with the upper ball joint.

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qwank · April 1, 2018

41 minutes ago, lovelessjl said:

Good point about settling... Strange that adding 2" spindles only brought the truck down 1" though.

Looks like you have plenty of clearance with the upper ball joint.

yeah so I don't think I'm going to bring the rear down to 6''. I'll have to leave it at 5'' the way it sits. Unless I change the springs and raise the cups up a little. but the ride is really good so I'll probably leave it.