Chopping coils

[ThatOneBlue67]

Ok, now I'm prepared to receive tons of negative feedback on this subject. BUT, I have to ask.

Is cutting coils really THAT bad?

I'd like to see my truck lowered, and I was hoping to spend my tax return money on it. But now I've got bills, high gas prices, and the union screaming at me for more money. I'm definetly going to do drop spindles and such in the future, but right now I'm a broke kid getting ready to graduate high school.

If I just cut 1-1.5 inches off the front coil (with a hack saw or similar) and 2 or 3" off in the back, would anything bad happen? By bad I mean: premature wear on neighboring parts, broken shocks, stuff falling off on the freeway, crappy suspension travel, etc.

Just asking, I haven't actually done it yet. Would like to hear everyones views. Thank you guys.

[72armyswbtruck]

Why not just flip them?

[dave2953]

I cut my front coils about 3 years ago and haven't had any problems, i.e. no irregular tire wear, front end parts, etc. I cut 1.5 coils off mine. I wouldn't recommend cutting off that much because when I go over bumps the springs bounce around in the pocket. As far as the rears, you can't cut the rears since they are pigtailed at the cups. I replaced mine w/ drop springs. There was a really good thread concerning the pros and cons a couple of weeks back; I'll see if I can find it.

[ThatOneBlue67]

Cool cool, yeah I noticed the rear coils had an inconsistent design.

[70c10]

I cut 1.25 coils off mine and got almost 3" drop on the front. The coils are now on Captain Keneival's truck and look great!

[Longhorn Man]

use a cut off wheel or a torch, if you ue a hack saw, it'll take all weekend and you'll spend $200 in blades.
Cutting them is fine. That's how it's been done for 50 years untill the 90's when they actually started making lowering springs.

[Boog]

There are many threads about lowering our trucks and many have cut front coils. There are drawbacks of course. But if you go that route use a cutoff wheel and take maybe 1 round off the fronts and use a 2" lowering block on the rear. This is about as cheap as you can do it.

Do not simply heat the springs to lower it!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Boog

There are many threads about lowering our trucks and many have cut front coils. There are drawbacks of course. But if you go that route use a cutoff wheel and take maybe 1 round off the fronts and use a 2" lowering block on the rear. This is about as cheap as you can do it.

Do not simply heat the springs to lower it!

......

From experience with MANY lowered vehicles this is 100% correct. Cut a spring with low heat and you will be just fine. Heat a spring until it collapses and it will continue to sag till it hits bottom

[centsless]

I have heard that you can put the spring in a bucket of water with about one coil out of the water and heat them. The water will keep the rest of the spring from getting hot. I honestly dont really see a big difference between cutting a coil, and lowering springs. Definately put the correct shocks on, so it will prevent the spring from coming out of the pocket. Also, look around, I found my 3/5 springs on e-bay for $100 shipped. They also show up here on the board on occasion.

[crazy longhorn]

To locate properly top/bottom, you are best to stick with 1 round off the front coils. This also keeps the spring from bouncing around in the pocket, like you get with shorter coils. My truck was done this way, as a temporary deal about a dozen yrs ago. It hasnt caused any problems.....& likely will stay that way("if it aint broke, it dont need fixin") I did build a set of shock relocators, to get the shock in the middle of its travel. best of luck L

[65-72 chevytoys]

Best to use a cutoff wheel. Is faster than a hacksaw and doesn't change the spring rate from too much heat by using a torch.

[ThatOneBlue67]

OK ok cool. Thankyou everyone! I've got the enxt week off from work and school ,so I'll see what I can do.