Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

AustinScott · 08-14-2010, 08:58 PM

Well, I woke up today with an itch to do some work on the truck,
so I got to looking and figured it was time to drop the truck a bit.

This is what I started with

Wheel well height from the ground (32.5")

Hub to wheel well height (19.5")

Getting it apart was pretty straight forward

The Stock spring (13.5")

Slice & Dice Time

The aftermath... Cut spring size (12.5")

Wheel well to ground (30") Hub to wheel well (17")

As she sits now

Before drop
Wheel well to ground - 32.5"
Hub to wheel well - 19.5"
Stock Spring size - 13.5"
Tire and wheel info - P275/60R15

After Drop
Wheel well to ground - 30"
Hub to wheel well - 17"
Cut spring size - 12.5"
Tire and wheel info - P275/60R15

And before anyone says it, Yes the back is next, I will be picking up my U-bolts next week & adding a 2" drop block to the rear.

I know I should have replaced all my ball-joints & tie-rod ends while it was apart, but this was just a quick afternoon project & everything looked "OK" not perfect but ok enough to just put back together

QKENUF4U · 08-14-2010, 09:12 PM

works for me. i wouldnt mind owning it.... would be a great driver from the looks of it...

dnorris009 · 08-14-2010, 09:25 PM

Looks Good.

Notice a big change in the ride?

AustinScott · 08-14-2010, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnorris009

Looks Good.

Notice a big change in the ride?

Yeah I took it around the block and it seemed to have a car like feel rather than a truck feel, I was truly surprised how different the drive was.

I did have a flash back to the 70's with the ass end of the truck up so high, reminded me of an old NOVA my dad had when I was a kid, looking down while driving.

TobyArnot · 08-14-2010, 10:57 PM

Hey,

I'm going to follow this thread closely. I'm in the middle of doing my '70. 2-1/2" dropped spindles + one coil in the front, 2" blocks in the rear. I want to get what we used to call the "dago" look. Also big and little steel wheels.

Good Luck

downsouthhunter · 08-15-2010, 01:13 AM

wonder how far 2 coils cut off would lower the truck and could u not cut the rear springs to to lower the rear

*Sublvr72* · 08-15-2010, 01:24 AM

looks good, I cut mine not too long ago. I ended up going down two rings for the slammed look

cdowns · 02-11-2011, 03:19 PM

you might want to have an alignment done before the tires wear too much due to camber angle and the excessive wear you'll start to see on the inside edge of the tires

AustinScott · 02-11-2011, 03:41 PM

Yes, this is true. thanks for the reminder.

Longhorn Man · 02-11-2011, 05:56 PM

the bucket of water wasn't needed at all, otherwise, outstanding. Spring chop is the quickest and cheapest thing you can do with such a dramatic end result. Now some longer shackles and lowering blocks for the rear will make it look bad ass for burger and fry money.

AustinScott · 02-12-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

the bucket of water wasn't needed at all, otherwise, outstanding. Spring chop is the quickest and cheapest thing you can do with such a dramatic end result. Now some longer shackles and lowering blocks for the rear will make it look bad ass for burger and fry money.

yeah the bucket of water was over kill for the job, but I was teaching my son about safety at the same time.
He cut the 2nd spring and all the sparks fling around where tripping him out.
I put the shield back on grinder and put the spring in a bucket of water so he would feel conferable cutting the rest of the spring.
He's still learning & I don't want to scare him off too soon.

He is 11 now, in the pic he was 10

**Boog** · 02-12-2011, 03:09 PM

Good job dad.

cadillacart · 02-11-2011, 06:12 PM

Cut 2 coils off mine. I should have just cut one, but slammed is cool too.

oldblue1968chevy · 02-11-2011, 08:19 PM

Can I cut 1 1/2 coils without alignment problems?!

scrapmetalart · 02-11-2011, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

Can I cut 1 1/2 coils without alignment problems?!

alignment is cheaper than new tires...

AustinScott · 02-11-2011, 09:49 PM

here are the pics of the rear Blocks.
After it was all said and done, it took more time to drill the holes in the thick wall square blocks than it took to do everything else.

Project time - 5 hours

New and Old

New U-bolt - 10 1/2"
The guy who made these for me had to use this length because his machine
was hitting the thread on the 10" bolts I was requesting, I plan on cutting .5" off after the install

Old U-bolt - 7 5/8"

Block - 6 1/2" x 2 3/16 "

Block 5/16" thick

Here I have the old U-bolt sitting on the new U-bolt, you can see the difference in length - 2 3/4"

This is what I used to drill the holes..... I should of never sold my drill press
This was the most painful part... but it was still doable.

The Aftermath!

Stock mounting

U-bolt Removed, I used a floor jack to slowly let the trailing arm down.

Blocks installed!

One thing to note:with a 15" rim these bolts will hit the ground if I get a rear flat So, I'm on the hunt for 18" rims & tires.

As she sits after the rear drop. she was 32.5" off the ground before
And now she is sitting 30 7/8"

Sorry it took me this long to get the pictures up.
I totally thought I had posted them the day I finished the project (12/12/10)

Cheers!

oldblue1968chevy · 02-11-2011, 09:53 PM

Looks good!

Tell me WHERE!!! Did you find a drill bit that big that didnt cost a small fortune!

Quickshift-Perf · 02-11-2011, 10:08 PM

Nice inexpensive way to get it lowered, congrats.

I think I would have rather slotted those blocks with a handgrinder/cutoff wheel if I didn't have access to a drill press. That had to of taken some determination to cut em' with a hand drill.... props to you for that!! I've been in that situation before and it's not fun.

Mike

*Shane* · 02-12-2011, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

Looks good!

Tell me WHERE!!! Did you find a drill bit that big that didnt cost a small fortune!

3/4"

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-4-SILVER-DEMIN...item3cb4c8ed14

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-4-COBALT-SILVE...item3cb4ca01a8

5/8"

http://cgi.ebay.com/silver-and-demin...item2a0d9d4ffc

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHOP-TEK-80602-5...item3cb4cbec0b

AustinScott · 02-12-2011, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

Looks good!

Tell me WHERE!!! Did you find a drill bit that big that didn't cost a small fortune!

I went the cheap route and bought them from harbor freight.
I used the 7/8" drill bit & did the drilling in 3 steps.
Surprising enough, the bit cut really good & it didn't dull out too bad.

Drill Bit Link

Pop's C-10 · 02-11-2011, 10:16 PM

nice job

kaycee · 02-12-2011, 12:42 AM

Looks alot better,I hope the world don't come to an end because u cut them lol.A little hint on the drilling is to take it in steps, start with a small bit then jump a coupla sizes.DO this until you reach your desired size.

63chevyll · 02-12-2011, 01:16 AM

likey..... this takes me back to HS cutting all the springs around town.

oldblue1968chevy · 02-12-2011, 01:20 AM

Thanks shane!

Do I need 3/4 or 5/8 for drop blocks? Anyone have experience with these drill bits?

Tx Firefighter · 02-12-2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

Thanks shane!

Do I need 3/4 or 5/8 for drop blocks? Anyone have experience with these drill bits?

Why not slide under your truck and measure what size you need ?

"Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for his whole life"

08-14-2010, 08:58 PM	#1
AustinScott Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southington CT Posts: 548	Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. (Added Rear block pics) Well, I woke up today with an itch to do some work on the truck, so I got to looking and figured it was time to drop the truck a bit. This is what I started with Wheel well height from the ground (32.5") Hub to wheel well height (19.5") Getting it apart was pretty straight forward The Stock spring (13.5") Slice & Dice Time The aftermath... Cut spring size (12.5") Wheel well to ground (30") Hub to wheel well (17") As she sits now Before drop Wheel well to ground - 32.5" Hub to wheel well - 19.5" Stock Spring size - 13.5" Tire and wheel info - P275/60R15 After Drop Wheel well to ground - 30" Hub to wheel well - 17" Cut spring size - 12.5" Tire and wheel info - P275/60R15 And before anyone says it, Yes the back is next, I will be picking up my U-bolts next week & adding a 2" drop block to the rear. I know I should have replaced all my ball-joints & tie-rod ends while it was apart, but this was just a quick afternoon project & everything looked "OK" not perfect but ok enough to just put back together Last edited by AustinScott; 05-21-2011 at 11:49 PM.

08-14-2010, 09:12 PM	#2
QKENUF4U Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SUNNY WARM BIKE RIDING COTTONWOOD ARIZONA Posts: 2,097	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. works for me. i wouldnt mind owning it.... would be a great driver from the looks of it...

08-14-2010, 09:25 PM	#3
dnorris009 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canton Ohio Posts: 109	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. Looks Good. Notice a big change in the ride?

08-14-2010, 10:57 PM	#5
TobyArnot Quit if it's not FUN!!! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Indian Trail, N.C, Posts: 864	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. Hey, I'm going to follow this thread closely. I'm in the middle of doing my '70. 2-1/2" dropped spindles + one coil in the front, 2" blocks in the rear. I want to get what we used to call the "dago" look. Also big and little steel wheels. Good Luck

08-15-2010, 01:13 AM	#6
downsouthhunter Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: lebanon tn Posts: 28	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. wonder how far 2 coils cut off would lower the truck and could u not cut the rear springs to to lower the rear Last edited by downsouthhunter; 08-15-2010 at 01:14 AM.

08-15-2010, 01:24 AM	#7
Sublvr72 Account Suspended Join Date: May 2004 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 1,387	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. looks good, I cut mine not too long ago. I ended up going down two rings for the slammed look

02-11-2011, 03:19 PM	#8
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. you might want to have an alignment done before the tires wear too much due to camber angle and the excessive wear you'll start to see on the inside edge of the tires __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY Last edited by cdowns; 02-11-2011 at 03:26 PM.

02-11-2011, 03:41 PM	#9
AustinScott Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southington CT Posts: 548	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. Yes, this is true. thanks for the reminder.

02-11-2011, 05:56 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. the bucket of water wasn't needed at all, otherwise, outstanding. Spring chop is the quickest and cheapest thing you can do with such a dramatic end result. Now some longer shackles and lowering blocks for the rear will make it look bad ass for burger and fry money.

02-12-2011, 03:09 PM	#12
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,361	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. Good job dad. __________________ 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

02-11-2011, 06:12 PM	#13
cadillacart 1972 C/20 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 273	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. Cut 2 coils off mine. I should have just cut one, but slammed is cool too. __________________ My Gallery 1972 C/20 402 Gramp's Truck

02-11-2011, 08:19 PM	#14
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. Can I cut 1 1/2 coils without alignment problems?! __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

02-11-2011, 09:49 PM	#16
AustinScott Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southington CT Posts: 548	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. here are the pics of the rear Blocks. After it was all said and done, it took more time to drill the holes in the thick wall square blocks than it took to do everything else. Project time - 5 hours New and Old New U-bolt - 10 1/2" The guy who made these for me had to use this length because his machine was hitting the thread on the 10" bolts I was requesting, I plan on cutting .5" off after the install Old U-bolt - 7 5/8" Block - 6 1/2" x 2 3/16 " Block 5/16" thick Here I have the old U-bolt sitting on the new U-bolt, you can see the difference in length - 2 3/4" This is what I used to drill the holes..... I should of never sold my drill press This was the most painful part... but it was still doable. The Aftermath! Stock mounting U-bolt Removed, I used a floor jack to slowly let the trailing arm down. Blocks installed! One thing to note:with a 15" rim these bolts will hit the ground if I get a rear flat So, I'm on the hunt for 18" rims & tires. As she sits after the rear drop. she was 32.5" off the ground before And now she is sitting 30 7/8" Sorry it took me this long to get the pictures up. I totally thought I had posted them the day I finished the project (12/12/10) Cheers! Last edited by AustinScott; 02-11-2011 at 09:58 PM. Reason: spelling

02-11-2011, 09:53 PM	#17
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. Looks good! Tell me WHERE!!! Did you find a drill bit that big that didnt cost a small fortune! __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

02-11-2011, 10:08 PM	#18
Quickshift-Perf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver, Wa Posts: 15	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. Nice inexpensive way to get it lowered, congrats. I think I would have rather slotted those blocks with a handgrinder/cutoff wheel if I didn't have access to a drill press. That had to of taken some determination to cut em' with a hand drill.... props to you for that!! I've been in that situation before and it's not fun. Mike __________________ 1968 C10 LWB with a glide...



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02-11-2011, 10:16 PM	#21
Pop's C-10 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: memphis Posts: 2,537	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. nice job

02-12-2011, 12:42 AM	#22
kaycee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Wyoming USA Posts: 2,446	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. Looks alot better,I hope the world don't come to an end because u cut them lol.A little hint on the drilling is to take it in steps, start with a small bit then jump a coupla sizes.DO this until you reach your desired size. __________________ 2001 Silverado K-1500 2005 FXDWG stage3 69 CHEVY Short/Step 327/4L60 373 posi 63 IMPALA 327 Last edited by kaycee; 02-12-2011 at 12:42 AM.

02-12-2011, 01:16 AM	#23
63chevyll gets board easy....... Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 717	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. likey..... this takes me back to HS cutting all the springs around town.

02-12-2011, 01:20 AM	#24
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Simple coil Cut front drop Fun. Thanks shane! Do I need 3/4 or 5/8 for drop blocks? Anyone have experience with these drill bits? __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

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