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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: midwest
Posts: 113
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Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
Which do you think is better,cutting coils or heating them for a cheap drop? Has anyone tried either? If so,how much? I am down to a bare frame so I can't apply heat and go til I am satisfied. I figure that if anyone has done it they could tell me how much coil to take off. Yea,,I know that this is not the best way to do this,but it is the cheapest. That's what I'm going for.Thanks-Keith
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#2 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: FT STEWART GA
Posts: 509
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
tag
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: South Florida
Posts: 11,375
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
Have done it in the past cut one coil at first then go from there...dont like heating
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Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild |
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#4 |
Saving 1 truck at a time!
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kent, WA
Posts: 6,465
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
Cut the fronts and heated the rears (can't cut the rears due to the mounts)...been running them for about 5 yrs...no problems....except the stiff ride...LOL! Temporary since I am going to bags.
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'68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: midwest
Posts: 113
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
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#6 |
is very serious
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: moscow mills MO
Posts: 154
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
how much drop did you do?
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1967 C-10 2wd fleetside LB 350 4spd (dads) - sold 1970 C-10 2wd fleetside LB 307 700r4 - sold ![]() 1969 C-10 2wd fleetside LB 327 3spd - sold ![]() 1969 C-10 2wd fleetside LB 350 th350 - sold ![]() 1967 C-10 2wd fleetside LB 250 th400 -project in progress Chevrolet=one who is dignified enough to expect every occasion is a special one and sees it fit to wear a bow tie... may others come under dressed. |
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#7 |
Droppin' It Like It's Hot!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Battlefield, Missouri
Posts: 2,934
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
I took about one coil off of mine on the front and heated the rears until I got the stance I wanted.
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Robert
Life Member RIP CAROL JANICE HARTMAN. BELOVED MOTHER. 01/04/53 - 03/05/09 1969 ![]() Norwood, MO 2007 Big Sandy, TN 2008 Had nothing to do with the forklift! Kirkwood, MO (Midwest Meet 2009) Midwest All Truck Nationals, KCMO - 2008 - 2009 - 2010 - 2012 - 2014 SUPPORT THE SITE HERE! |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Westminster, Maryland
Posts: 411
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
![]() i cut 2 coils up front, 6in drop springs out back |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: massachusetts
Posts: 7
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
my truck has heated coils all around, it's dropped i'd say a good 3 inches
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#10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Brookings, SD
Posts: 10,497
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
If I had a limited budget I would cut the front, and buy drop springs for the rear.
I had a truck that the PO had cut the front springs and heated the rears. The front was an uncomfortable ride, but nothing I couldn't stand. The rear was horrible. You can't cut the rear coils, they have special ends used for mounting. Your best choices are heating or replacement. Do you plan to haul anything in your truck? Heating will kill the majority of your ability to haul a load.
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Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: here
Posts: 5,789
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
Ive done them both ways in the past. I prefer to cut them. Put a set of chevelle coils in the back & cut one coil in the front. Any more than that, would require getting the billfold out of the back pocket to be done correctly.
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: strausstown pa
Posts: 3,394
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
I,ve been curious on the chevelle springs they look very similar but are thinner,how are these working for you?what kind of drop did you get from them,can you put anything in the bed weight wise?I have a new set that was bought for a 67 that Ive been holding on to just too try sometime is it worthwhile?anybody else try this?
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81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love ![]() 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover. |
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#13 |
laying low
![]() Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 13,266
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
wow diggin up an old thread here from 2009.
Still relevant today however. Some use Chevelle, Cultass or Skylark rear springs to drop a few inches. Being a smaller diameter wire they will ride good but not have the load carrrying capacity as a thicker truck spring. Some also use jeep springs. Same applies to them. It's all in how you intend to use your truck as to what springs to use I guess.
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Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: strausstown pa
Posts: 3,394
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
I heard of the jeep springs but havent heard anything on the chevelle coils,I'm gonna hafta give it a try then. I wont be loading up my stepper I have a dd for that. but thanks for the info,boog
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81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love ![]() 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover. |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Rutherfordton, NC
Posts: 89
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
I cut the front and heated the rears as well. I cut two out front, loaded some cinder blocks in the bed and torched the rear. Heating the springs aren't really the best way to do it because it makes them more brittle, however, I have loaded the bed of my truck with dirt (to the rail with the tires about to pop), but never had a problem. I think it would be a real problem on girly little import springs, not the manly chevy springs we're running.
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#16 |
Droppin' It Like It's Hot!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Battlefield, Missouri
Posts: 2,934
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
I've loaded the crap out of mine with the heated springs and haven't had any problems. Of course it rode very rough and on the bump stops the whole time. Had a riding lawnmower, my 5.3L engine, engine hoist and push mower in the back.
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Robert
Life Member RIP CAROL JANICE HARTMAN. BELOVED MOTHER. 01/04/53 - 03/05/09 1969 ![]() Norwood, MO 2007 Big Sandy, TN 2008 Had nothing to do with the forklift! Kirkwood, MO (Midwest Meet 2009) Midwest All Truck Nationals, KCMO - 2008 - 2009 - 2010 - 2012 - 2014 SUPPORT THE SITE HERE! |
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#17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Joppa, Maryland
Posts: 4,408
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
Last year, me & 70c10 cut his fronts. PM him as I can't remember how much we cut off. Worked out good. I would not us heat, as you don't have control on the amount of heat used for each side.
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1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: midwest
Posts: 113
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
Thanks guys. Lots of good information ,as usual. This gives me something to go by. -Keith
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: pittsburgh pa
Posts: 1,970
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
When cutting I think 1 turn is equal to about one inch... I agree with others.. Cut the front and replace the rears.
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68 C10 Shorty TPI,Bagged, and all the good stuff. Classic trucks feature June 06, On the cover of Jegs Christmas Catalog 08 67 C10 Shorty Shop truck project Bagged and Z'd under destruction and getting nowhere fast. 64 C10 Shop Truck/Daily driver, Bagged, Dropmember, SOLD!!!! Gone but not forgotten.. 54 GMC under the knife getting a S10 chassis swap and bagged. See my build thread... 07 GMC Sierra 5/7 drop, 22's and 24's Air ride on my mind.. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=339340 See pics of my trucks in my profile |
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#20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Terrell, TX
Posts: 1,967
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
If you want any ride quality at all do neither and buy a set of drop springs.
When I bought my truck some kiddo had cut all four and it rode like a buckboard. If you heat them they lose their strength. I'd pas on both methods.
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Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps. |
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#21 |
Too many toys,not enough money
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bozeman,MT
Posts: 237
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
I just cut the fronts on mine, 1 coil cut off will get you 2" - 2 1/2", depending on sag of coil. For the rear you can do a lowering block to get a few inches.
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#22 |
1970 Daily Driver
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO
Posts: 1,037
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
Cut the fronts and make some drop blocks for the rear out of some scrap tubing. We did that on my brothers truck and sometimes I think it rides better that my kit from CPP on my truck. I know it hauls loads better
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It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance. |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Red Deer ab canada
Posts: 1,250
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
When you heat them, heat at the bottom-not in the middle; I dropped a long box about 3" all around this way and it rode fine; wheel align was still in spec too.
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1972 factory 2 Wheel Drive Blazer-Sold 1972 K10 4X4-Sold 1971 Chevrolet Cheyenne/10-Sold 1970 Chevrolet C/10-Sold 1968 GMC 4X4-Project 1968 Chevrolet C/10 Pro Street 1970 GMC 3/4 Ton-Parts 1997 2WD 2DR Yukon-Sweet http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335664 |
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#24 |
is very serious
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: moscow mills MO
Posts: 154
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
yea iv made that mistake on my impala and it crushed side ways.... u think you could have gone lower than 3inch? im looking for a cheap way to go 4/6 or so...i dont care to much on ride qaulity...
__________________
1967 C-10 2wd fleetside LB 350 4spd (dads) - sold 1970 C-10 2wd fleetside LB 307 700r4 - sold ![]() 1969 C-10 2wd fleetside LB 327 3spd - sold ![]() 1969 C-10 2wd fleetside LB 350 th350 - sold ![]() 1967 C-10 2wd fleetside LB 250 th400 -project in progress Chevrolet=one who is dignified enough to expect every occasion is a special one and sees it fit to wear a bow tie... may others come under dressed. |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Red Deer ab canada
Posts: 1,250
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Re: Has anybody out there cut coils or heated them for a drop?
Spose you could go low as you want....I just wanted it to "settle" a bit.
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1972 factory 2 Wheel Drive Blazer-Sold 1972 K10 4X4-Sold 1971 Chevrolet Cheyenne/10-Sold 1970 Chevrolet C/10-Sold 1968 GMC 4X4-Project 1968 Chevrolet C/10 Pro Street 1970 GMC 3/4 Ton-Parts 1997 2WD 2DR Yukon-Sweet http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335664 |
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