Does anyone use 4 inch drop springs in the front??

[La Zona Imagery]

I've searched this forum, but can't find anyone stating that they use 4 inch drop springs in the front. I know Western Chassis and Hotchkis make 4 inch front drop springs...so how come no body uses them?

[PGSigns]

I have 2 inch on mine and barely off the bump stops. Once you get to a point with the springs the front end geometry gets bad. The tie rods run up hill to an angle that induces a lot of bump steer into the truck. With spindles you get the drop but keep the geometry to where it will still drive like it should.
Jimmy

[zach_carver]

Mods need to move this thread. The reason most of us dont use 4" drop front springs is because they would be very loose in spring pockets. If you have a 4" drop spring in the front and allow suspension to fully extend out then the springs could actually fall out is what some claim. Due to the spring not being tall enough stay in spring pocket. There are other negatives to them but that is one of them. Alot better off using drop spindles, and a 2" spring to achieve that drop. That will help balljoint angles and everything as well.

[Rust-O-Matic]

I concur with the other responses. I cut two coils off my stock springs to lower the front of my '66 approx. 4", and it was way too much. The springs no longer filled space between the pocket and a-arm, and fell out of place as soon as I jacked it up a couple of pumps. My bump stops and brackets were already cut off, so I can't comment on the clearance there. But the inner fenders were about 1/2" from the tire tread, and it threw the camber off enough I could see the wheels visibly leaning a little.

[BR3W CITY]

I'm dropped pretty low in front, spindles and mystery coils from the previous owner. Drop is around 4", assuming 2" on the spindles and around 2 on the coils. I am pretty close to the bumstops, and if I run my larger front tires (235/75/15) my inner fenders would rub on some bumps...but I took them out. On my "normal" fronts (225/60/15, odd size) its about another 1" drop.

Its hard to find a good shock to hold the weight of a truck in that short of a size. I ended up getting qa1's to control the front, as the old Nitro's couldn't handle it. Your talking about a shock thats 7-12" -ish depending where you sit.

[La Zona Imagery]

Thanx for the infos everybody.

I am just confused why would Western Chassis and Hotchkis make a 4" front drop spring for our trucks if it does not work?

[dougf]

It does, it's just not ideal. Easy 4" drop if you are willing to deal with fixing alignment issues.
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[Nation77]

I've been looking at 4" springs myself. So what you guys are saying is instead it would be better to use a 2" spindle and a 2" spring together?

[dougf]

By far, yes. That's the better route. You won't have alignment issues like me with my cut coils
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[zach_carver]

Originally Posted by Nation77

I've been looking at 4" springs myself. So what you guys are saying is instead it would be better to use a 2" spindle and a 2" spring together?

Most definitely! 4" springs are just so small it can cause issues. It'll work but I wouldn't wanna drive it down the highway.