The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1973 - 1987 Chevrolet & GMC Squarebody Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-27-2009, 05:05 PM   #1
dbmx66
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 883
is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

i have 2 inch drop coils and 2.5 inch spindles, i want to go lower. would cutting the springs be bad?

thanks, david
dbmx66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2009, 06:06 PM   #2
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,691
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

1/2 coil will get you approximately 1 inch of drop.
So cut carefully.
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2009, 10:35 PM   #3
dbmx66
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 883
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lolife99 View Post
1/2 coil will get you approximately 1 inch of drop.
So cut carefully.
i was looking for 2 / 2.5 or wouldnt that work right?

do u have any pictures so i know what it should look like if i cut it properly?

thanks
dbmx66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2009, 11:11 PM   #4
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,691
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Quote:
Originally Posted by dbmx66 View Post
i was looking for 2 / 2.5 or wouldnt that work right?

do u have any pictures so i know what it should look like if i cut it properly?

thanks
Let me see if I understand you.
You have a set of 2" drop springs. Correct?

How much lower do you want them?
Cut a half coil. That will get you a 3" total drop.
I wouldn't cut more than a half coil.
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2009, 11:18 PM   #5
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,691
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Cut only the bottom of the spring.
(look at the red cut line)
Attached Images
 
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2009, 11:58 PM   #6
dbmx66
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 883
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

so where the spring stops, i cut the exact same spot on the other side of it? doi i cut the top or the bottom?
dbmx66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 12:25 AM   #7
SCOTI
Registered User
 
SCOTI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,943
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Quote:
Originally Posted by dbmx66 View Post
so where the spring stops, i cut the exact same spot on the other side of it? doi i cut the top or the bottom?
He answered you . . ....
Quote:
Originally Posted by lolife99
Cut only the bottom of the spring.
__________________
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.
SCOTI is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 12:29 AM   #8
dbmx66
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 883
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SCOTI View Post
He answered you . . ....
sorry about that, im kinda bad with this. haha if you can tell.


will that mess up my camber?
dbmx66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 12:31 AM   #9
SCOTI
Registered User
 
SCOTI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,943
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Quote:
Originally Posted by dbmx66 View Post
sorry about that, im kinda bad with this. haha if you can tell.


will that mess up my camber?
You'll need to get the front re-aligned by someone that understands lowered vehicles. Shops that don't do 'dropped' vehicles will typically say it can't be aligned if it's dropped..... we all know they can. BTW.... more than 1/2 a coil off those shorter springs & they'll come loose anytime the front suspension is extended. They can (& possibly will) fall out if they come loose.
__________________
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.

Last edited by SCOTI; 11-28-2009 at 12:33 AM.
SCOTI is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 12:33 AM   #10
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,691
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Edit:
Scoti,... you type faster than me.



Anytime you shorten the front springs, you will affect the camber.
I suggest getting the front end aligned when you are done.
I also suggest using a good quality drop shock.
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

Last edited by lolife99; 11-28-2009 at 12:34 AM.
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 12:39 AM   #11
dbmx66
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 883
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

thanks guys, will i be fine if i only cut 1/2 coil off? or will it fall out?

i have brand new nitro drop 2 on already.

and by 1/2 coil u mean that after i make the cut, the piece i cut off will look like a "c" right?

thanks

Last edited by dbmx66; 11-28-2009 at 12:40 AM.
dbmx66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 12:57 AM   #12
SCOTI
Registered User
 
SCOTI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,943
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Quote:
Originally Posted by dbmx66 View Post
thanks guys, will i be fine if i only cut 1/2 coil off? or will it fall out?

i have brand new nitro drop 2 on already.

and by 1/2 coil u mean that after i make the cut, the piece i cut off will look like a "c" right?

thanks
1/2 a coil off of 2" drop springs should yield about 3-4" of drop which put's you @ risk of them wanting to pop out of position if the front over extends. Yes, 1/2 a coil cut would resemble a 'C' vs. an 'O'.
Quote:
also, will it ride like crap if i cut 1/2 coil off?
That much spring drop is purely subjective; what's ok to one, may not be to another. I have never liked cutting more than 1-coil off of stock springs; I've never cut drop springs just because I didn't want to screw them up (I can re-sell an un-modified 2" drop spring to offset the cost of a new 3" drop spring).
__________________
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.
SCOTI is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 12:41 AM   #13
dbmx66
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 883
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

also, will it ride like crap if i cut 1/2 coil off?
dbmx66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 12:50 AM   #14
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,691
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

It will ride the same as a 3" drop coil. Does it ride like crap now?

Full coil = O
1/2 coil = C

Post up some pics of your truck.
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

Last edited by lolife99; 11-28-2009 at 12:51 AM.
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 12:56 AM   #15
dbmx66
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 883
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lolife99 View Post
It will ride the same as a 3" drop coil. Does it ride like crap now?

Full coil = O
1/2 coil = C

Post up some pics of your truck.

last time i drove it had stock suspension. its been my project for a while now.

i dont have many good pics. they were takin months ago

heres one with 4.5/6 drop. how much will it drop when the motor/ front clip are on?




Last edited by dbmx66; 11-28-2009 at 01:00 AM.
dbmx66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 12:59 AM   #16
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,691
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

OK.
Don't do anything until it's back together and on the road.
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 01:05 AM   #17
dbmx66
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 883
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lolife99 View Post
OK.
Don't do anything until it's back together and on the road.
do u know how much it will drop down the front after the motor and front clip are on?

Last edited by dbmx66; 11-28-2009 at 01:05 AM.
dbmx66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 12:52 AM   #18
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,691
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Can you take a picture of your front suspension already on the truck? (front the front side of the a-arm).
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 12:53 AM   #19
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,691
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Spring might be a little loose in the spring pocket only when the truck is off the ground and the a-arm is hanging all the way down.
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 12:54 AM   #20
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,691
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Do you still have the rubber bumpstops installed up front?
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 12:55 AM   #21
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,691
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

How tall of tire do you have up front?
Do you have room to drop it another inch and still have clearance at the fenderwell and the inner fender?
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 01:09 AM   #22
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,691
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

no.
sorry.
I think you are getting the "cart before the horse".
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

Last edited by lolife99; 11-28-2009 at 01:09 AM.
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 01:14 AM   #23
MrBeast
high-Tech Red Neck
 
MrBeast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Livingston, MT/On my boat WA/BC/AK
Posts: 2,294
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lolife99 View Post
no.
sorry.
I think you are getting the "cart before the horse".
+1, you need to get your truck assembeled before you do because there are way too many variables that come into play. You go cutting your springs now you run a serious chance of cutting too much because they are not going to be fully loaded.

It isnt that hard to pull a spring once the truck is assembeled, save it for last, this way you are sure to achieve the look you want with out having to buy springs twice.
__________________
"He used to be a pretty nice feller, now he's a welder!"
MrBeast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 01:15 AM   #24
dbmx66
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 883
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

that makes sense, thanks for the help.
i could always get it lower in the front with smaller tires couldnt i?
dbmx66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2009, 01:22 AM   #25
MrBeast
high-Tech Red Neck
 
MrBeast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Livingston, MT/On my boat WA/BC/AK
Posts: 2,294
Re: is cutting 2 drop coils a bad idea?

Quote:
Originally Posted by dbmx66 View Post
that makes sense, thanks for the help.
i could always get it lower in the front with smaller tires couldnt i?
Smaller tires will bring the truck down, remember every 2 inches in diameter will bring the truck down 1 inch, if you are running metric tires you can use the calculator @ Discount tire's site.
__________________
"He used to be a pretty nice feller, now he's a welder!"
MrBeast is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:38 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com