ATS vs B-Body vs G body w/ Tall upper bj

[sasquatch]

hey all I have a 98 2wd s10 and I need to start ordering parts to get a rolling chassis. I am only 18 and money is kinda tight and I am trying to weigh my options. I want good handling and to compliment the spindle I will be getting tubeular lca's to go with coil overs and spc adjustable uppers. I want the frame about 4" off the gound with a 275/35/18.
-First is the ATS set up, big money, supposedly no bump steer and lots of brakes, but not alot of drop.
-B-body dropped spindle supposedly has bump steer even with the Bear trackers, bigger brakes available alot cheaper, can get the drop I need.
-G-body w/ howie taller upper ball joint, cheapest, get the drop, no bump steer ??? and has bigger brakes
anyone know how each handles or any imput would be great thanks erik

[jerome]

I would not recommend B-body spindle, too much work to get the bumpsteer right.
For gbody with tall joint, you will need ed miller's brake kit to get C5 brakes
obviously, ATS spindle is best option, just need to weigh whether the money involved is well spent or not.

I'm not sure you will be able to fit 275/35/18's in the front, maybe someone one s-seriesforum can tell you better.

Like yourself, i'm in college, 18, and money is tight. I am going with adjustable upper arms, stock lower arms, and still deciding whether to get ATS or use taller BJ's with stock spindle (probably ATS spindles w/ touring classics brakes/hydroboost and varishocks or QA1's). Whichever way you go, geometry will be similar, and you will be happy with the handling. The main question you should ask yourself is, are you happy with stock brakes, or do you want C5 brakes, if you want the C5's, I would recommend the ATS tall spindles, the extra money is worth it for the ease and convenience.

good luck,
Jerome

[ZZ4Blazer]

Having done the b-body conversion, and now having the ATS spindles, I can tell you its like night and day. Whole truck(I have a 94 s-10) drives completely different. So much more stable without the bumpsteer.

I just did the conversion this winter, and have only a few hours in the truck drivetime so far, so I havent really pushed it. But my initial reactions are that they're well worth the money.

I honestly would save your money, and do it right the first time. I upgraded to the 14" Z06 brakes as well, and can tell you this hopefully will be the last time I do brakes(this is the 3rd upgrade I've done from the stock brakes)

The stock or drop spindles with the tall upper ball joint is probably gonna be the easiest cheapest upgrade. But then you still need to upgrade the brakes.

I've got around $1600 into the ATS spindles, steering arms, and brake set up. Comparing aftermarket brake set ups, I consinder that a deal. Especially since an aftermarket brake set up isnt gonna dramaticlly improve handling and feel of the truck.

[Samckitt]

Or go this route using 98-02 ZQ8 spindles from an S10 2WD Blazer, trucks are different. I am using these "spindles" & C5 Vette calipers & rotors. I found these pics on the net to check out: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/taramiller72/album?.dir=838d&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/taramiller72/my_photos

[Samckitt]

Here is the same setup using C5 calipers & rotors like I did. I put the bracket on the other side of the spindle & didn't need to spacers to locate the caliper.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/taramiller72/album?.dir=6de2&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/taramiller72/my_photos

[ZZ4Blazer]

FYI, theres no difference in the ZQ8 spindles vs regular spindles(truck or blazer)

The 98 + Blazers(and blazers ONLY, no trucks) got the dual piston brakes, which utilize a sealed hub, and a divorced rotor assembly.

[sasquatch]

Thanks all, zz4 I was waiting to hear how you like the spindles, sounds like I should cough up the dough and get the ATS set up!

[jerome]

695 for spindles
175 for steering arms
1600-870=730

where did you get the Z06 brakes for that kinda money? the touring classics kit for pbr c5's is already $776

Jerome

[ZZ4Blazer]

Spindles are just sick. Truck certainly feels so much better now. Even more fun tor drive now. I cant wait till I get everythign worked out this spring and find some open backroads to push it on. Hopefully in another week or two I'll have all the bugs worked out from my winter mods.

My bad, it was closer to $1700. I forgot about ordering the brake pads too.

Got the rotors and calipers from gmpartsdirect.com, and instead of paying $250 for stock pads, I got a set of Hawk pads from tirerack.com for like $110 or so.