The Steel Beast Project!

[1980steelbeast]

What most others on this forum are using for suspension isn't in our low budget. Other low budget upgrades, such as boxing the factory rear control arms requires cutting & welding in metal, only low budget if you already have these kinds of tools. otherwise best to just save up & buy. If you later get into just swapping new front & rear control arm bushings into your existing, upgraded rubber will give you less street harshness than urethane or delrin. Better handling stuff does get expensive. Good aftermarket front control arms , such as ridetech, eliminate bumpsteer (wheels changing direction when hitting a bump) along with the improved geometry that gives better tire contact, but I'm looking at $1300 for a set. You can subtract out the cost & time of improved bushings & ball joints from the extra amount this would cost you over re-doing your stockers. I've been saving up for these.

On rear wheel clearance, either side can be tighter. Mine is driver side. The area in the upper rear of wheel well fender lip is the tightest. You can't completely cut off the lip since the quarter panel is spot welded to the fenderwell, but you can sure trim some of the worst area back a little bit. You're likely getting the most rubbing when turning on an incline & bouncing.

I just gave you the lowest cost advice first. I swapped front & rear springs approx 11-12 years ago, which I would have did drop spindles had I known better at the time. Now you know what time frame can be called temporary if you have to
PS be careful where you park that thing. I might sneak up & buff a shiny circle in one of you panels.

I believe lowering springs im the front will be harsh from what I've been reading. Seems s10 drop spindle is indeed the way to go.
I would say your threat of buffing a shiny spot in a quarter panel scared me, but its already happened about 4 months ago! Lmao!

i got a set of used S10 spindles if you are looking for some

I am. I'm a newbie in this pro touring world,and money is tight! I'll have to wait til I can afford to pull the trigger!