how to lower by heating fr springs help??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Blackjeep99 · 08-17-2010, 10:47 AM

Need info on how to heat the springs to drop the front end to save some money for now. Want to know the best way. Do I just heat until its where I want it or slightly higher to account for settling. Also how will it ride? This is only temp as I save some cheese up to get all new front end in the winter time thanx for any help.

OARNGESI · 08-17-2010, 10:49 AM

Pulling them out and cutting them is better heat isnt good for springs and the ride will be bad ONE CUT COIL SHOULD GIVE YOU 2 OR 2.5 INCHES

*Shane* · 08-17-2010, 11:03 AM

there is no info for heating springs ... it's a stupid idea ... like orange said, take them out and cut them.

**N2TRUX** · 08-17-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackjeep99

Need info on how to heat the springs to drop the front end to save some money for now. Want to know the best way. Do I just heat until its where I want it or slightly higher to account for settling. Also how will it ride? This is only temp as I save some cheese up to get all new front end in the winter time thanx for any help.

You won't get many polite or positive answers to this topic. We do understand doing things on a budget, but do not condone heating springs. You can pull them and cut a coil off to drop the front. For the rear, use a set of Jeep springs if you have a coil.

DO NOT heat springs to lower your truck.

jay6891 · 08-17-2010, 11:37 AM

Yea what he said ^^^. Dont do it. Very dangerous for the rest of us on the road.

Blackjeep99 · 08-17-2010, 11:47 AM

Well I was trying to get by without taking it apart. Only gona run it like that for 3mo tops on the weekends. Then winter I will have time and cash to install all new springs spindles etc just dond want the down time rite now. The rear is already lowered I did an axle flip I have leafs in the rear and its been down for two weeks now and its making me crazy not being able to drive her. Why is heat to a spring so taboo hear anyway? But if I pull it apart ill probably just order new springs and install them. How hard are the springs to cut ?

Dingfodgy · 08-17-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackjeep99

Well I was trying to get by without taking it apart. Only gona run it like that for 3mo tops on the weekends. Then winter I will have time and cash to install all new springs spindles etc just dond want the down time rite now. The rear is already lowered I did an axle flip I have leafs in the rear and its been down for two weeks now and its making me crazy not being able to drive her. Why is heat to a spring so taboo hear anyway? But if I pull it apart ill probably just order new springs and install them. How hard are the springs to cut ?

Dude....don't heat the springs! It weakens the steel and makes the ride very rough and the metal prone to breakage = road hazzard for all of us. Anybody
with basic hand tools, a floor jack and ball joint seperator (ez to rent) can pull a set of springs cut them with a cut off wheel or sawz-all and reinstall them in about 4-6 hours. The ride will still be a bit harsher, but you won't be weakening the steel and creating a potential road hazzard.

flashed · 08-17-2010, 12:14 PM

I would NOT heat the springs to drop it. The previous owner of my truck dropped it by heating the coils on all 4 corners. It rode terrible ,bump your head on the top of the truck on every bump .A friend gave me a stock height set of springs to replace the heated ones and my truck now drives great. I like the lowered look but I dont want mine lowered again .

big_al_71 · 08-17-2010, 12:38 PM

I would just drive it the way it is until I had the money to do it "Correct".....

cdowns · 08-17-2010, 12:59 PM

just run real fast thru deep potholes maybe you can tweak the frame and collapse the springs to have a lowered junker

chevychompers · 08-17-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

just run real fast thru deep potholes maybe you can tweak the frame and collapse the springs to have a lowered junker

barryvanhook · 08-17-2010, 01:40 PM

As EVERYONE here has suggested, heating the coils is a bad idea. Having said that, back in the late 50's it was often done (although still a bad idea). I knew of a local welding shop that did it. The proprietor must have done lots of them. But his very vast experience told him when to remove the torch from the coil, because the spring continued to settle for a time after the heat was removed. ... ie., if he was going for 1.5" of drop, he cut the heat at 1" or 1.25", wherever the 'magic' spot was. If you are bound and determined to do something like this, know that you are treading on shaky ground.

Barry

eightbanger · 08-17-2010, 01:47 PM

Take everyone's advice on this subject. The PO had done it on my Truck, and this is what they looked like when I removed them.
Cut don't heat..!!

VA72C10 · 08-17-2010, 01:52 PM

my heated springs BROKE....BOTH rear springs..could have led to an accident. The front springs were super bouncy also....

laid_out_70 · 08-17-2010, 01:52 PM

its actually very simple to do. get your torch, get under the truck. make sure your head is under the crossmember (most important step). next you simply heat the springs until the crossmember lays on your head. wish you luck.

C low · 08-17-2010, 02:17 PM

lol!!!! at the head joke.. heated springs suck the are bouncy and break

bsteele · 08-17-2010, 07:48 PM

I have noticed people saying to use jeep springs on the rear. Is there a certain year and type of jeep to get them from?

**BIG ORANGE** · 08-17-2010, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsteele

I have noticed people saying to use jeep springs on the rear. Is there a certain year and type of jeep to get them from?

Hey Brian,
Welcome to the board, I think you will enjoy the reading and info. that can help from time to time.
I've been a member for a long while and I still read things on here that help me with tech. stuff and better ways to do stuff that I thought I new how to do.
Just like heating springs! BIG NO,NO!!!
Hollar if you need any help with your truck.
Go ahead and spend the 25.00 bucks for membership, it the best money you will ever spend!
Donnie

**leddzepp** · 08-19-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsteele

I have noticed people saying to use jeep springs on the rear. Is there a certain year and type of jeep to get them from?

I tried them....did not work out for me. Out of an 03 Wrangler. 0" drop. Save your money and buy the correct ones. My .02

Jacfourteen · 08-17-2010, 08:50 PM

It's not that it's taboo to talk about it on here it is just that most people on here give good advise and the best advise is not to do it. I did mine in about 3 hours and mine is a 3/4 ton which is a little more tricky. If you search "cut coils" then you will get alot of writeups on how people have done it. here is the link to when I did mine. hope it helps!

*Sublvr72* · 08-17-2010, 09:20 PM

Don't heat them, PO heated mine and they were broken when I pulled them. Cut them.

Longhorn Man · 08-17-2010, 09:27 PM

they heated coils for many many many years before the aftermarket started making them.
It can be done, it can be done safely.
I'll be manning my PM box for messages from all the haters now

texastrendz · 08-17-2010, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

they heated coils for many many many years before the aftermarket started making them.
It can be done, it can be done safely.
I'll be manning my PM box for messages from all the haters now

you are correct, done it many times with great results, drop coils are just too cheap now. you just gotta know where to heat it and how, and i am not telling ya how

GASoline71 · 08-19-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

they heated coils for many many many years before the aftermarket started making them.
It can be done, it can be done safely.
I'll be manning my PM box for messages from all the haters now

Agreed 110%

There is a right way and a wrong way to do it... but it can be done.

Gary

**70cst** · 08-20-2010, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

they heated coils for many many many years before the aftermarket started making them.
It can be done, it can be done safely.
I'll be manning my PM box for messages from all the haters now

08-17-2010, 10:47 AM	#1
Blackjeep99 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Caledonia Ohio Posts: 49	how to lower by heating fr springs help??? Need info on how to heat the springs to drop the front end to save some money for now. Want to know the best way. Do I just heat until its where I want it or slightly higher to account for settling. Also how will it ride? This is only temp as I save some cheese up to get all new front end in the winter time thanx for any help.

08-17-2010, 10:49 AM	#2
OARNGESI Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: CASA GRANDE AZ Posts: 4,276	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? Pulling them out and cutting them is better heat isnt good for springs and the ride will be bad ONE CUT COIL SHOULD GIVE YOU 2 OR 2.5 INCHES __________________ 70 SWB STEPSIDE 70 BLAZER 09 challenger Last edited by OARNGESI; 08-17-2010 at 10:51 AM.

08-17-2010, 11:03 AM	#3
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? there is no info for heating springs ... it's a stupid idea ... like orange said, take them out and cut them.

08-17-2010, 11:37 AM	#5
jay6891 Car Knocker Join Date: May 2001 Location: jefferson,arkansas Posts: 664	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? Yea what he said ^^^. Dont do it. Very dangerous for the rest of us on the road. __________________ 68 c-10,91 sportside bed,350 .030 over,4 bolt,10-1 comp,2.05 intake/1.94 exhaust,1.6 Harland Sharp roller rockers,edelbrock rpm cam and intake w/750 carb, 700r4, 3.73 gears,Jacabbs Electronic Igntion w/Accel HEI distributer and super coil. ZR-1 roll pan, filled tailights. Blazer tank. Hidden hitch. 2 1/2" Flowmaster 40's. Parts bought but not installed>> ford 9" posi with disc. CCP front and rear lowering kit 4/5. Cab corners,foor boards,rockers, cab braces, Phatom grill, Painless wiring kit.

08-17-2010, 11:47 AM	#6
Blackjeep99 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Caledonia Ohio Posts: 49	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? Well I was trying to get by without taking it apart. Only gona run it like that for 3mo tops on the weekends. Then winter I will have time and cash to install all new springs spindles etc just dond want the down time rite now. The rear is already lowered I did an axle flip I have leafs in the rear and its been down for two weeks now and its making me crazy not being able to drive her. Why is heat to a spring so taboo hear anyway? But if I pull it apart ill probably just order new springs and install them. How hard are the springs to cut ?

08-17-2010, 12:14 PM	#8
flashed Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: canton ga Posts: 12,724	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? I would NOT heat the springs to drop it. The previous owner of my truck dropped it by heating the coils on all 4 corners. It rode terrible ,bump your head on the top of the truck on every bump .A friend gave me a stock height set of springs to replace the heated ones and my truck now drives great. I like the lowered look but I dont want mine lowered again .

08-17-2010, 12:38 PM	#9
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? I would just drive it the way it is until I had the money to do it "Correct"..... __________________ 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

08-17-2010, 12:59 PM	#10
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? just run real fast thru deep potholes maybe you can tweak the frame and collapse the springs to have a lowered junker __________________ 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; 08-17-2010 at 12:59 PM.

08-17-2010, 01:40 PM	#12
barryvanhook Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 148	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? As EVERYONE here has suggested, heating the coils is a bad idea. Having said that, back in the late 50's it was often done (although still a bad idea). I knew of a local welding shop that did it. The proprietor must have done lots of them. But his very vast experience told him when to remove the torch from the coil, because the spring continued to settle for a time after the heat was removed. ... ie., if he was going for 1.5" of drop, he cut the heat at 1" or 1.25", wherever the 'magic' spot was. If you are bound and determined to do something like this, know that you are treading on shaky ground. Barry __________________ Barry L. Van Hook '69 Chevy Frankentruck

08-17-2010, 01:47 PM	#13
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? Take everyone's advice on this subject. The PO had done it on my Truck, and this is what they looked like when I removed them. Cut don't heat..!! __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger

08-17-2010, 01:52 PM	#14
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,267	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? my heated springs BROKE....BOTH rear springs..could have led to an accident. The front springs were super bouncy also.... __________________ Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA.

08-17-2010, 01:52 PM	#15
laid_out_70 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: yv, ca Posts: 280	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? its actually very simple to do. get your torch, get under the truck. make sure your head is under the crossmember (most important step). next you simply heat the springs until the crossmember lays on your head. wish you luck.

08-17-2010, 02:17 PM	#16
C low Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Albany Oregon Posts: 71	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? lol!!!! at the head joke.. heated springs suck the are bouncy and break

08-17-2010, 07:48 PM	#17
bsteele Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kershaw, South Carolina Posts: 113	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? I have noticed people saying to use jeep springs on the rear. Is there a certain year and type of jeep to get them from?

08-17-2010, 08:50 PM	#20
Jacfourteen Big Red - Now its a SWB! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, Ca Posts: 1,624	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? It's not that it's taboo to talk about it on here it is just that most people on here give good advise and the best advise is not to do it. I did mine in about 3 hours and mine is a 3/4 ton which is a little more tricky. If you search "cut coils" then you will get alot of writeups on how people have done it. here is the link to when I did mine. hope it helps! __________________ 68 3/4 ton (Project)-350 Small Block, .030 over, 10:1 comp, 3998993 heads, C3BX edelbrock intake, comp cams XE268, Holley 670 SA, long tube headers, dual flow 40's, E-fan, Alum rad, currently under the knife getting shortened and bagged build thread 41 3/4 ton (wife's)-flatbed, fully restored to original 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's



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08-17-2010, 09:20 PM	#21
Sublvr72 Account Suspended Join Date: May 2004 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 1,387	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? Don't heat them, PO heated mine and they were broken when I pulled them. Cut them.

08-17-2010, 09:27 PM	#22
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: how to lower by heating fr springs help??? they heated coils for many many many years before the aftermarket started making them. It can be done, it can be done safely. I'll be manning my PM box for messages from all the haters now

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