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Regular
Posts: 52
Location: Finland | I was thinking about using dropped spindles in my -58 Chrysler. Fat Man Fab sells them, but here in Finland they are not accepted in the inspection because they are welded. I was thinking about Magnum Force dropped spindles.
https://www.magnumforce.com/mopar-2-inch-dropped-spindles-a-b-e-f-j-...
Has anyone here used them in a FL car?
15 years ago I installed 1978 New Yorker spindles and brakes to my -59 Kingsway, so I know you can use later model spindles in an older car with some modifications.
Thanks!
J
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 10105
 
Location: So. Cal | I haven't used them, but F,M,J body spindles are swapped onto these cars all the time, as you have done; so there shouldn't be a problem with doing it. |
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Regular
Posts: 52
Location: Finland | Ok, thanks!
I remember that there was something odd with those later style spindles, the ride hight seemed higher then with the original spindles. But its been 15 years, I cant remember for sure :D
J |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7552
 
Location: northern germany | Try lower BJ joints with longer studs, they drop your ride 1/2", but they are pricey. Part number is 1210-207S and they are rebuildable. They raise the roll center too, which is a good thing (probably more effective than the undersized OE sway bars) but my suspension-knowledge is not good enough to tell you if that has negative effects too. |
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Expert
Posts: 3828
Location: NorCal | Bad thing about dropped spindles is they drop the lower control arm closer to the ground and they tend to hit/snag objects that would otherwise clear especially with low-profile tires. |
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Veteran
Posts: 293
Location: WA/USA | I've installed the Fatman spindles in my 57. By chance, a pal had recently bought the Mag Force spindles at the same time so I got to compare them side by side. I did not know the Fatmans were welded when I bought them, otherwise I probably would have gone Magnum Force.... however, the welds on the Fatman spindles appear very stout and well done. It's not like I mag-particle or X ray tested them, but I am satisfied. |
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Expert
Posts: 3590
Location: Blythewood, SC | 57chizler - 2021-10-07 12:34 PM
Bad thing about dropped spindles is they drop the lower control arm closer to the ground and they tend to hit/snag objects that would otherwise clear especially with low-profile tires.
This is true. However with any lowered car, there is a greater exposure to road hazards for the undercarriage. Oil pans, trans pans, exhaust, etc. are all closer to Terra Firma with a lowered car. |
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Expert
Posts: 3969
Location: DFW, TX | Having owned a couple of lowered '57 Mopars  I can say fairly certainly that the low point of the car - even with a 2" dropped spindle - will be the front crossmember. Maybe the frame behind the rear wheels, depending on how low you can get the rear end.
You'd have to get pretty darn low to get the control arms lower than this.
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 wagonsaginaw10.jpg (35KB - 284 downloads)
low.jpg (241KB - 292 downloads)
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Expert
Posts: 3969
Location: DFW, TX | And I am seriously interested in those Magnum Force units. Never seen those before. I wouldn't mind keeping my ride height and gaining back two inches of front suspension travel. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7552
Location: northern germany | 57plymouth - 2021-10-11 6:26 AM
57chizler - 2021-10-07 12:34 PM
Bad thing about dropped spindles is they drop the lower control arm closer to the ground and they tend to hit/snag objects that would otherwise clear especially with low-profile tires.
This is true. However with any lowered car, there is a greater exposure to road hazards for the undercarriage. Oil pans, trans pans, exhaust, etc. are all closer to Terra Firma with a lowered car.
The pitman/idler arms is are at least one inch lower that the LCA on my car AND closer to the center (more likely to hit something), which is lowered as much as possible with everyday driveable stance, so I could gain 0,5" more suspension travel with the longer ball joint studs, which would be nice! |
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Dropped spindles
