Drop spindle question

Are the non forged MII drop spindles safe to use? or do I have to spend the big bucks for one piece forged? I see 2" drop spindles [ I assume cast ] on e-bay for about 150 bucks. Thanks

I guess it depends on your definition of safe...... There are a ton of cars running the cast spindles, but if it were my investment I would opt for the best suspension and steering pieces, and try to save a buck somewhere else on the build. Saving a C-note on spindles isn't much if it winds up trashing your $30K plus hot rod!!! JMO

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speaking of drop spindles, I think I may need stock height spindles in place of my drops.

How much ground clearance is enough for street use so that I don't have to worry about hitting when I pull into parking lots and stuff like that.

I had to go over the frame with my headers, and then I wrapped them under the frame, so the collectors are my lowest point.

with my drop spindles I think I will have around 4", maybe a little less.

What are the roads like where you live, T?? I've ran with less than 3" ground clearance, but you have to be very observant of your surroundings. Speed bumps look like Mt. Everest, driveways are for the most part a place where other people drive, etc. Hard to tell what your ride height really is until you drive the car some, and bounce the suspension a bit so it settles down to it's final ride height. In general 4 is low, but if you watch what you're doing you should be ok.

I got up under a new 'Vette at the Chevy dealership up the street several years ago with a tape measure and measured a minimum of 4" at several places under the car. It was sitting on a concrete pad, so it was pretty square. That convinced me to build 'em with 4" of clearance and not worry about normal road obstructions. I want to be able to drive my cars/trucks with a clear mind, not worrying about every little thing on the road or driveways either and I figured that if the Chevy engineers put their premiere handling car at 4", that was good with me.

yeah, I don't want to be worrying about grinding something into the pavement either.
I just hate using spring compressors in a major way and I don't want to have the spindles all set up in there with the springs in place only to find out I need to get them out and change them. I have my A arms setting parelled to the floor so I think I can get a pretty good idea of what kind of clearance I'll have.
I guess I'll leave em in for now.
It will look pretty cool low like that.