dropping my truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pphatbasstard · 05-08-2003, 08:06 PM

I am planning on droping my 67 buy cutting the springs, I know this is not the best way but i am on a budget it and this is just for now. My question is how do i know how much to cut? i want about a 4" drop so how much spring should i cut? thanks

pissonNOS · 05-08-2003, 09:15 PM

1 full coil
i would also recomend getting a wheel alignment when ur done even tho they will have to shim the hell out of things

pphatbasstard · 05-10-2003, 01:04 AM

1 full coil will make for 4 inches? and what do u mean by shim the hell out of it?

thanks

SCOTI · 05-10-2003, 11:23 PM

Start w/1 coil & then cut 1/2 a coil @ a time after that to get what you want. You will have to use extra shims for the upper a-arms in order to achieve proper (or close to proper) alignment.

Some advice. . .... once you trim 2 coils off the front springs, the coils can easily come out of the spring pocket if the suspension becomes unloaded (like if you were to hit a big dip in the road & the truck rises rapidly). I've been in a buddies truck when this happened & it was a very scary moment. You'll also have a hard time getting someone to align the front w/only cut coils for the drop. With some drop spindles & 1 coil off you'll get 5" drop, a decent ride & still be fairly easy to align. Good luck.

70 Jimmy · 05-11-2003, 12:14 AM

I've heard not to cut more than 1 coil or you'll have some bumpsteer. I cut 1 but haven't driven it yet. Good luck.

pphatbasstard · 05-11-2003, 02:57 AM

thanks guys. but what is bumpsteer?

SCOTI · 05-11-2003, 02:18 PM

That's when severe angle of the tierods causes the steering to pull whenever going over bumps in the road.

Cut coils don't accomodate for this & that's the reason for 'bumpsteer'. Drop spindles have the steering arm modified to compensate & allow the tierods to parallel the a-arms (which should be level to the ground).

Brad · 05-11-2003, 05:56 PM

You should be fine with exactly 1 coil cut or less. Use a grinder with a cutoff wheel or similar when cutting, as a torch would change the temper of the steel. Be aware that you can't cut rear springs due to the pigtails on both ends. I've even lowered mine using the torch to heat the springs and I was just fine. Mine were 31 year old springs at the time. But, this isn't recommended - only a short term solution until you can afford drop springs and spindles.

05-08-2003, 08:06 PM	#1
pphatbasstard Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 166	dropping my truck I am planning on droping my 67 buy cutting the springs, I know this is not the best way but i am on a budget it and this is just for now. My question is how do i know how much to cut? i want about a 4" drop so how much spring should i cut? thanks

05-08-2003, 09:15 PM	#2
pissonNOS senior member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: fort macleod alberta Posts: 2,770	1 full coil i would also recomend getting a wheel alignment when ur done even tho they will have to shim the hell out of things __________________ 69 GMC bagged

05-10-2003, 11:23 PM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,031	Start w/1 coil & then cut 1/2 a coil @ a time after that to get what you want. You will have to use extra shims for the upper a-arms in order to achieve proper (or close to proper) alignment. Some advice. . .... once you trim 2 coils off the front springs, the coils can easily come out of the spring pocket if the suspension becomes unloaded (like if you were to hit a big dip in the road & the truck rises rapidly). I've been in a buddies truck when this happened & it was a very scary moment. You'll also have a hard time getting someone to align the front w/only cut coils for the drop. With some drop spindles & 1 coil off you'll get 5" drop, a decent ride & still be fairly easy to align. Good luck. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

05-11-2003, 12:14 AM	#5
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	I've heard not to cut more than 1 coil or you'll have some bumpsteer. I cut 1 but haven't driven it yet. Good luck. __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"

05-11-2003, 02:18 PM	#7
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,031	That's when severe angle of the tierods causes the steering to pull whenever going over bumps in the road. Cut coils don't accomodate for this & that's the reason for 'bumpsteer'. Drop spindles have the steering arm modified to compensate & allow the tierods to parallel the a-arms (which should be level to the ground). __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

05-10-2003, 01:04 AM	#3
pphatbasstard Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 166	1 full coil will make for 4 inches? and what do u mean by shim the hell out of it? thanks

05-11-2003, 02:57 AM	#6
pphatbasstard Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 166	thanks guys. but what is bumpsteer?

05-11-2003, 05:56 PM	#8
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,673	You should be fine with exactly 1 coil cut or less. Use a grinder with a cutoff wheel or similar when cutting, as a torch would change the temper of the steel. Be aware that you can't cut rear springs due to the pigtails on both ends. I've even lowered mine using the torch to heat the springs and I was just fine. Mine were 31 year old springs at the time. But, this isn't recommended - only a short term solution until you can afford drop springs and spindles. __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten...

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