cutting front coils + balljoints

[dubie]

I am thinking of cutting 3/4 of a coil out of my front coils to lower my 72 a bit. When I use a pickle fork on the balljoint to get at the spring, will that balljoint need to be replaced? Just tryig to get all the parts in order that I might need.

[Captkaos]

Don't cut that much! How low are you wanting to go?

[dubie]

2" front and back. I am using 2" lowering blocks on the back

EDIT: hehehe i see why you were so worried I should have been more specific. I meant 3/4 of 1 coil on the front coild, not 3/4 of the entire spring I can't believe i didn't catch that ealier

[Captkaos]

No, I understood you. I still wouldn't cut 3/4" off. Try a half first. Personally I usually start at 1/4" and work my way up. I haven't ever cut a total of 3/4 turn off an old spring.

[dubie]

I've seen 1 full coil cut off a spring before and it gave 3" of drop. I don't want that much tho so I figured 3/4 od a coil would give me close to 2". Do you know if I should be buying some ball joints while I'm at it?

[Captkaos]

I wouldn't recommend lowering 3" by cutting a coil, but people do it. I normally get 2" out of about 1/2 a coil removed. When I drop my Lower Control arms I didn't use a pickle fork. I put a jack under it and hit it with a hammer to break it free. The fork won't hurt the balljoint, but it will possibly screw up the grease boot, and you can't get one seperat as far as I know.

[REPO1]

Actually, I have found new boots at places like PartsSource, and maybe even the HELP section at crappy tire.

[lolife99]

I use to cut coils, beforew drop coils were available. I found tha 1/2 coil equals 1 inch of drop. So one coil should give you 2 inches of drop. It's cheap, but I would personally go with a drop spring. Also, measure both sides of your truck BEFORE you cut, in case one side is sagging more.

[SWEET7T]

Take little bits at a time. If you cut too much, you can't go back. I say cut just a little bit and put the springs back in, then see if you like it. You can always cut more.

[69ride]

We'll do yours first tim, and i'll see if i like it. I kinda like it that your project is a few steps in front of mine that way I can see how things are done and more importantly how they turn out:p But then again yours is going to be done sooner. Bastard

[jamis]

hey dubie

I had just installed new ball joints and needed to get the spring out for some reason or other. I didnt want to damge the new boots so I just unbolted the top a-arm from the frame and pulled it out and down, with out messing with the ball joints. That was on a rolling frame, I dont know if it can be done with the fenders in the way.