cool post...

Yep and when I posted about the tie-rod differences I was thinking there was a diameter change as well. IIRC I tried to use a '77 tie-rod setup in my '81 and it was a different diameter as well as length.

What parts did you have on the truck at this point? Is this just a spring cut? I did notice the pocketed LCA in the current pictures, but I think just the spindle swap would get me as low as I need-famous last word I know !!!

So far I have the following parts list; 91-96 Dropped Dakota spindles Chassis tech, 91-96 Dakota upper/lower ball joints, 79-80 B100 outer tie rod ends, 76 New Yorker tie rod sleeves (MOOG ES440S) and front Rotors (bearings and all from the C-Body).

Am I missing anything? I am really enjoying this thread over here in the sand! You are making my life so much eaiser for my 2 day thrash come June!

Keep the GREAT info coming

Ok here is a quick rundown of parts so far.Rememer my truck is a 73 model.There was a tie rod change on the trucks in 79.Ive used

91-96 Dakota dropped spindles.

Van outer tie rod ends.Book list them for several different vans,but if you ask for 79 b100 that will get you there. Moog part #ES2121L

76 Newyorker Adjusting sleeves.Moog Part #ES440S

76 Newyorker brake rotors.I dont have the part #.I still need to pick one up for the driver side so I will post it when I get it.

The Moog book I have only goes up to 90,but as far as upper ball joints are concerned they never changed from 72-90.There is only one part number upper k778,and two part # for lower K7025 press in,and K727 for thread in.I personally have never seen a threaded lower ball joint on these trucks.They are the same size one presses in and one threads in thats the only difference.This is all half ton info.There were different balljoints for some 3/4 and 1 tons.

I can say with a reasonable amount confidence that if you have a half ton 72-90 Ram you will not have to change the ball joints.The 91-96 Dakota spindle will bolt on.

There will be some trimming and drilling of the dust shield for control arm and steering arm clearance.

Some trimming or grinding on the ends of the control arms for rotor clearance.My truck has Chisholm arms so Im not sure how this will effect a stock arm. It could be possible that no trimming would need to be done on stock arms.Chisholm arms are very heavy duty.

I think thats about it up to this point.Ill keep everyone informed.

The C-body sleeves worked.I measured toe on the truck before I took it apart.I set it back to where it was and still have about an inch of adjustment.If I find out it needs more adjustment when I have it aligned I can gain about one inch by trimming a little off each end of the sleeve.They should be fine.

Passenger side is pretty much done.Just need new inner tie rods.

This will give an idea of where to trim dust shield.

Iam a new member here and I want to say nice site. I have a question about lowering the front of my 84 Ram. I bought a set of 87-90 Dak drop spindles will they work? I have seen that you guys keep talking about using 91-96 spindles. Whats the differnce between the two?

Nice truck. It looks lowered already. Not sure on the spindles. Someone will pipe in on your Question though.

They should work just the same as i bought ones advertised for those years and used them on my '96 dakota and it all worked fine. I believe 87-96 spindles to be the same or very close to the same.

It is lowered I did a axle flip in the rear, but in the front I just hacked up the springs so I could see what it would look like dropped. I am in the process of painting it I don't care a whole lot for the brown primer.

Thanks I plan on giving them a test fit this weekend. Then I will pull everything apart clean the parts and instal new bushings, tierods, balljoints, basically rebuild the front suspension before I put it together for good.

Just bought a set of spindles off the bay, im going to take the plunge now too.

Scary...
Dave:)

Here Is what it cost me to lower both sides.

Spindles 129.00

Outer tie ro ends 34.00

Adjusting sleeves 36.00

Rotors 101.00

Inner wheel bearings 15.98

Wheel seals 11.98

Total 353.96

I still need inner tierod ends because they are worn out.I also changed upper ball joints because of wear.This doesnt include the lower arms I scored those on e-bay.If do this again Im going to look in the boneyard for Dakota dust shields they may be just a little smaller diameter but might bolt on w/o trimming. And I dont think you can beat the suspension angles as far as lowered trucks go, especially for one thats lowered 4" (or maybe a little more).

I agree on the angles, my only complaint with springs and pocketed arms is that it does change suspension angles. A spindle wont do that. This is why i prefer this method.

Ramblebee, do the dropped spindles reduce ground clearance under the lower control arms? If so, could you measure this for us?