Lowering Questions

[LuckyHenriksen]

I already have drop spindles, 1 in. drop springs and 4 in. drop rear springs, but I want to go lower, and don't want to keep buying springs. Can I cut a little piece of the first coil off to get the equivalent of another inch all around? I know cutting springs isn't the best but I don't have budget to buy different ones.

[67arch]

I have done it but it's easy to miscalculate. I recommend cutting less than you originally expect. It changes more than you think. I was messing around with my front springs because I am bagging anyway, I cut what I thought would be 2" drop. Ended up about 4" drop resting on bumpstops! Little at a time and you should be ok.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Save your money and buy the bags I was once where your at.... Now im here..

[LuckyHenriksen]

Wow FRENCHBLUE that looks awesome. I don't have the coin to bag right now, but I would love to someday. I like the license plate hanging sideways.

[LuckyHenriksen]

If I do cut, what do I use?

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Thanks and you can use a cut off wheel on a disk grinder just put one end of the spring in a bucket of water.

[LuckyHenriksen]

Why the water?

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Keeps the spring cool.

[LuckyHenriksen]

Alright makes sense. Thanks

[MT71c-10]

I just did this on the front of my 71. One coil cut off will get you 2" to 2 1/2". I used a chop saw and cut right through it.

[LuckyHenriksen]

OK so 1/4 to 1/2 a coil should give me around 1 inch

[SCOTI]

The bucket of water trick is only needed if using a torch to cut the spring. If you use a cut-off wheel, the heat is much more confined to the immediate metal & cooling-water is not req'd.

[LuckyHenriksen]

Ok cool

[MT71c-10]

Hey, check my thread in the suspension forum "easy way to R&R front coil springs". There is some good info in there on cutting coils. I also have a before and after pic in there. As for how much coil to cut to get 1" of drop, I think "The Shane, the moderator" is the guy to ask. I was surprised how much 1 coil dropped the front.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by LuckyHenriksen

I already have drop spindles, 1 in. drop springs and 4 in. drop rear springs, but I want to go lower, and don't want to keep buying springs. Can I cut a little piece of the first coil off to get the equivalent of another inch all around? I know cutting springs isn't the best but I don't have budget to buy different ones.

All around?
Up front,... a good rule of thumb is,... 1/2 coil = 1 inch of drop.

In the rear,... you can't cut the coils because the ends of the coils are a smaller diameter than the middle of the coil. Just add the correct size lowering block. 1", 2", etc.

[LuckyHenriksen]

Originally Posted by lolife99

All around?
Up front,... a good rule of thumb is,... 1/2 coil = 1 inch of drop.

In the rear,... you can't cut the coils because the ends of the coils are a smaller diameter than the middle of the coil. Just add the correct size lowering block. 1", 2", etc.

Yes I would like to drop another inch front and back, so it becomes a 4/5 drop

[LuckyHenriksen]

Are lowering blocks cheaper than a new set of springs? And where do I find them

[lolife99]

You can buy them,... but look here,
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=196457
and make your own.
Longer u-bolts usually run about $25-$35. I haven't priced aftermarket blocks lately.

Also,... the FAQ section is full of good threads. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=262550

That's where I found this "lowering block thread". Save the FAQ section in your favorites,... you'll be surprised how often you look there and find answers!

[LuckyHenriksen]

Looks great, is there somewhere I can buy longer U bolts? And not have them made?

[lolife99]

Companies like CPP sells lowering blocks with longer u-bolts. Also search "u-bolts" in the suspension section. It's been talked about just recently.