is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

i have 2 inch drop coils and 2.5 inch spindles, i want to go lower. would cutting the springs be bad?

thanks, david

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

1/2 coil will get you approximately 1 inch of drop.
So cut carefully.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

i was looking for 2 / 2.5 or wouldnt that work right?

do u have any pictures so i know what it should look like if i cut it properly?

thanks

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

Let me see if I understand you.
You have a set of 2" drop springs. Correct?

How much lower do you want them?
Cut a half coil. That will get you a 3" total drop.
I wouldn't cut more than a half coil.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

Cut only the bottom of the spring.
(look at the red cut line)

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

so where the spring stops, i cut the exact same spot on the other side of it? doi i cut the top or the bottom?

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

He answered you . . ....

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

sorry about that, im kinda bad with this. haha if you can tell.


will that mess up my camber?

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

You'll need to get the front re-aligned by someone that understands lowered vehicles. Shops that don't do 'dropped' vehicles will typically say it can't be aligned if it's dropped..... we all know they can. BTW.... more than 1/2 a coil off those shorter springs & they'll come loose anytime the front suspension is extended. They can (& possibly will) fall out if they come loose.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

Edit:
Scoti,... you type faster than me.



Anytime you shorten the front springs, you will affect the camber.
I suggest getting the front end aligned when you are done.
I also suggest using a good quality drop shock.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

thanks guys, will i be fine if i only cut 1/2 coil off? or will it fall out?

i have brand new nitro drop 2 on already.

and by 1/2 coil u mean that after i make the cut, the piece i cut off will look like a "c" right?

thanks

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

also, will it ride like crap if i cut 1/2 coil off?

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

It will ride the same as a 3" drop coil. Does it ride like crap now?

Full coil = O
1/2 coil = C

Post up some pics of your truck.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

Can you take a picture of your front suspension already on the truck? (front the front side of the a-arm).

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

Spring might be a little loose in the spring pocket only when the truck is off the ground and the a-arm is hanging all the way down.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

Do you still have the rubber bumpstops installed up front?

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

How tall of tire do you have up front?
Do you have room to drop it another inch and still have clearance at the fenderwell and the inner fender?

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

last time i drove it had stock suspension. its been my project for a while now.

i dont have many good pics. they were takin months ago

heres one with 4.5/6 drop. how much will it drop when the motor/ front clip are on?

http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/o...6/IMG_3346.jpg

http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/o...6/IMG_2987.jpg

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

1/2 a coil off of 2" drop springs should yield about 3-4" of drop which put's you @ risk of them wanting to pop out of position if the front over extends. Yes, 1/2 a coil cut would resemble a 'C' vs. an 'O'.
That much spring drop is purely subjective; what's ok to one, may not be to another. I have never liked cutting more than 1-coil off of stock springs; I've never cut drop springs just because I didn't want to screw them up (I can re-sell an un-modified 2" drop spring to offset the cost of a new 3" drop spring).

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

OK.
Don't do anything until it's back together and on the road.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

do u know how much it will drop down the front after the motor and front clip are on?

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

no.
sorry.
I think you are getting the "cart before the horse".

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

+1, you need to get your truck assembeled before you do because there are way too many variables that come into play. You go cutting your springs now you run a serious chance of cutting too much because they are not going to be fully loaded.

It isnt that hard to pull a spring once the truck is assembeled, save it for last, this way you are sure to achieve the look you want with out having to buy springs twice.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

that makes sense, thanks for the help.
i could always get it lower in the front with smaller tires couldnt i?

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

Smaller tires will bring the truck down, remember every 2 inches in diameter will bring the truck down 1 inch, if you are running metric tires you can use the calculator @ Discount tire's site.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

Smaller tires would lower the ride height but will also change your tire gaps and such.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

is that a bad thing?

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

Also remember this when it comes to tire size, shortening the tires is going to greatly increase engine speed.

For instance I belive the stock tire for your truck was a 235/75r15 that is 28.88 inches in diameter, with a 3.55 rear end and a TH700R4 you will run 2,111 RPM @ 70 MPH,

If you go with a 26.88" tire on the same truck, you raise the RPM's to 2,269 RPM

That is a 158 RPM increase.

This has a lot to do with why big wheels have become so popular because they allow you to run a short side wall tire, achieve a look and keep your engine rpm's down and thus keep your fuel mileage up.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

It is really a matter of personal preference, but putting too small of a tire on your truck can really make it look weird.

Let me just throw a thought at you though on the subject...

I have noticed that you are pretty fixated on lowering the truck substancially, you will be better served taking baby steps, getting the truck going with the parts you have now, get it assembled where you can look at it, then worry about the sizing of your tires and wheels, as well you will need to have the truck assembeled to measure for offset on your wheels as well.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

well the tires that are on not a really badly dry rotted. so i need tires

would 225/60-r15 be to small you think? 25.60 inch diameter. thats only like 3 inch difference than the 235/75-r15s i have on now.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

you have a 700R4? and what rear end ratio?

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

I am dropped a little over 5/7 running Cooper Cobra 245/60/15 And I don't think I would go any smaller tire wise.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

350 turbo as of right now, rebuilding a 400 turbo. right now i have 3.73 but prolly putting 4.11s

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

i saw this truck on here. what size you think they are?


http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/o...2-14-09141.jpg

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

With either the TH350 or TH400 you will have the same RPM's because they both have a 1:1 final drive ratiio.

With the 235/75R15's and 3.73's you will pull 3,093 RPM @ 70 MPH
With the 225/60R15's and 3.73's you will pull 3,429 RPM @ 70 MPH

if you go to 4.11's with the 225/60R15's you will pull 3,778 RPM @ 70 mph.

If you were to put a DOT slick on the back that is 30" tall you will pull 2,925 RPM @ 70 MPH with 3.73's or 3,224 RPM with 4.11's

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

I think they are too small, that's what size I think they are.

Like MrBeast said, you are getting way ahead of things. Get your truck back together and see where you are before you starting cutting springs and buying tires.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

i plan on running much bigger tires on the rear. maybe 30 or 31 by like 12.50s maybe.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

thanks n2trux, i think thats what im gonna do. just take my time and do everything right the first time. thanks for all the help, i really appreciate it.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

We know it's exciting researching while your putting it together. Just learn from our experience by doing things in the right order.

Trust me when I tell you it's a lot less work to cut your springs twice than it is to replace them because you cut too much.

Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?
 

yea i understand.
thanks again.