2'' drop from cutting stock springs?

[pwradder]

i've got some 2'' longer shackels for my '80 c10, and i want to cut the front coils. i know its gonna take a few tries to get the stance i want, but i'd like to start with something close- so can any one tell me how much to cut off and get me close to the 2'' mark?

[Tx Firefighter]

One coil will get you real close to two inches.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Square_78]

If your springs are old and sagged, then you might get 2.5" from cutting one coil. No big deal though. Be sure to cut off the bottom of the spring so it seats correctly.

[espcamaro]

1 loop is about 2.5 inches if that helps at all. Cutting coils isn't recommended, I've heard they ride pretty bad. I know brothers.com has springs on sale for like $88. That would be your best bet
Posted via Mobile Device

[Telecasterjoey]

I cut one coil, dropped 2 inches, zero problems!

Go for it!
Posted via Mobile Device

[TexasSteve]

Originally Posted by espcamaro

1 loop is about 2.5 inches if that helps at all. Cutting coils isn't recommended, I've heard they ride pretty bad. I know brothers.com has springs on sale for like $88. That would be your best bet
Posted via Mobile Device

I'm sorry but I HATE it when people try to give "advice" on something they know nothing about. Cutting coils was around for DECADES before springs were manufactured for lowering vehicles. Even Professionals with cut springs instead of buying the commonly overpriced aftermarket lowering springs.

There is ZERO wrong with cutting coils. The ONLY problem with cutting coils is when people do it wrong. Use a saw/cutting wheel & it is done safely & correctly. use a torch & you'll cut them alright but will also totally destroy the strength that they were built with. THOSE are the springs that ride pretty bad, not the ones that are cut correctly.

[cmyc5575]

Originally Posted by TexasSteve

I'm sorry but I HATE it when people try to give "advice" on something they know nothing about. Cutting coils was around for DECADES before springs were manufactured for lowering vehicles. Even Professionals with cut springs instead of buying the commonly overpriced aftermarket lowering springs.

There is ZERO wrong with cutting coils. The ONLY problem with cutting coils is when people do it wrong. Use a saw/cutting wheel & it is done safely & correctly. use a torch & you'll cut them alright but will also totally destroy the strength that they were built with. THOSE are the springs that ride pretty bad, not the ones that are cut correctly.

Read again man, lol hes stated that he heard they ride bad when they are cut, and based on what he's heard that they were recommended. I have used both ways and seem to be just fine.

[TexasSteve]

Originally Posted by cmyc5575

Read again man, lol hes stated that he heard they ride bad when they are cut, and based on what he's heard that they were recommended. I have used both ways and seem to be just fine.

I do not need to "read again". He was giving "advice" based on his 2nd hand knowledge. People should not give advice based on heresay. If someone doesn't KNOW? They shouldn't speak, especially on the internet. Too commonly things read are taken as "gospel". You know the State Farm commercial...."If it isn't true, they can't say it on the internet." This is a perfect example of that.....

[cmyc5575]

Originally Posted by TexasSteve

I do not need to "read again". He was giving "advice" based on his 2nd hand knowledge. People should not give advice based on heresay. If someone doesn't KNOW? They shouldn't speak, especially on the internet. Too commonly things read are taken as "gospel". You know the State Farm commercial...."If it isn't true, they can't say it on the internet." This is a perfect example of that.....

LOL so did you see my second post about the wrech adjusting suspension?

[Tx Firefighter]

When I spoke earlier in this thread, I spoke from personal experience. I've cut a whole, whole lot of front coil springs on these trucks over the years. They ride just fine. Save your money.
Posted via Mobile Device

[espcamaro]

Didn't want to start anything. I'm sure your right. I've just read that in other forums. Just disregard my other comment. Ill probably end up cutting my springs now
Posted via Mobile Device

[TexasSteve]

I've done it both ways & was never unsatisfied with cutting mine. Was only unsatisfied with buying aftermarket lowering springs then being unhappy with the lack of drop they gave then ended up cutting those anyways.

What I do love, although not exactly cheap, is a setup like Ground control Weight Jacks like what is on my GTA. Short springs that you can decide on their weight rate that sit on adjustable mounts. So you get to decide exactly where you want it without affecting the spring rate.

Other companies make "generic" Weight Jacks which can be adapted to many different vehicles. I just loved the ability to adjust the ride height with just a wrench both down & back up if you discovered that it was set too low in the beginning.

[cmyc5575]

Originally Posted by TexasSteve

I've done it both ways & was never unsatisfied with cutting mine. Was only unsatisfied with buying aftermarket lowering springs then being unhappy with the lack of drop they gave then ended up cutting those anyways.

What I do love, although not exactly cheap, is a setup like Ground control Weight Jacks like what is on my GTA. Short springs that you can decide on their weight rate that sit on adjustable mounts. So you get to decide exactly where you want it without affecting the spring rate.

Other companies make "generic" Weight Jacks which can be adapted to many different vehicles. I just loved the ability to adjust the ride height with just a wrench both down & back up if you discovered that it was set too low in the beginning.

I love the thought of the wrench changing of suspension. Tell me something,,, do you have to jack the vehicle up before you start changing the suspension springs with a wrench?

[TexasSteve]

Originally Posted by cmyc5575

I love the thought of the wrench changing of suspension. Tell me something,,, do you have to jack the vehicle up before you start changing the suspension springs with a wrench?

Depends on what style applies to your springs. For the front of my GTA I just need a 1/2" ratchet & the correct socket. And a whole lot of a strength to go up. Even going down is not for the weak armed.

For the rear I have to jack the car up & use an allen wrench to unlock the set screw then a spanner wrench to turn the seat. I can get by without the spanner wrench by turning it by hand too but then I almost have to fully unload the suspension. Too much & they will actually fall out with the really short springs, but you can also choose how tall of springs you want to start with then select the desired spring rate.

[bigd65]

I like the way car builders can argue out a point and still be civil.... Anyway, I bought some two drop coils, from a guy on this site. What I am hoping for is to get actually about an inch. I figure two inch drop coils changed from worn out stock springs, might give me about 1 inch.... And a little more stable of a ride
Posted via Mobile Device

[ozbowhunter]

so will it all level out if you use a two inch drop rear shackle and cut one coil? i read somewhereonce that you need to drop the rear more then the front to get it level?

[Tx Firefighter]

Every truck is different in what it takes to level it.

You'll have to judge the stance of your truck to see what it needs to get the look you want.
Posted via Mobile Device

[bigd65]

Posted via Mobile Device

Two inch drop coils and two inch shackles . Guess now I'm going for a flip kit or something. The wife says she likes it this way. I know I REALLY like the ride
Posted via Mobile Device

[bigblock73]

Nice truck, dig the look!
Posted via Mobile Device

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Alright guys this is 67-72 truck forums. Not hottoddlers forum or yellowtrollit. Opinions here are respected and facts are given advise is said good or bad and the posters can make the decisions

My input. I have three inch lowering springs...they are garbage the front end floats and bounces and they are just to soft. Aftermarket springs are not designed for drop spindles in mind. They are to lower and make the ride comfy. Add drop spindles and they will drop your truck on the ground and your a arms or headers pay the price. I liked them before my drop spindles but now I'm going for cut springs from a one ton.
My buddy has his lowered with cut springs only. Three inches up front and it rides nice and steady. But a little stiff. So I would say go for handling or comfort your choice
Posted via Mobile Device

[Hertzdaddy]

I have drop spindles and experience with both 1 and 1.5 coils cut on stock springs. I agree that stock springs are a little too soft once you start getting low like with drop spindles. The ride is great but I've dragged the headers once or twice at 1.5 coils cut. I'm thinking about getting some HD springs at the yard and cutting them down too. Either that or sectioning the headers and tucking them back up inside the frame rails.

Question for those that know: Doesn't spring rate decrease as coils are cut? I've never been clear on that.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Hertzdaddy

I have drop spindles and experience with both 1 and 1.5 coils cut on stock springs. I agree that stock springs are a little too soft once you start getting low like with drop spindles. The ride is great but I've dragged the headers once or twice at 1.5 coils cut. I'm thinking about getting some HD springs at the yard and cutting them down too. Either that or sectioning the headers and tucking them back up inside the frame rails.

Question for those that know: Doesn't spring rate decrease as coils are cut? I've never been clear on that.

Yes, spring rate does increase but it's minimal vs. the amount of travel lost (the ones I tested were about 10% increase in rate @ 1 coil on a 350# g-body spring).

Cutting 1 coil is about the 'limit' for height vs. ride quality change. Once you cut more than 1 coil, the spring rate does not keep up w/the now shorter travel dimension so the ride quality can suffer (it's a grey area).

I always try cutting the existing coils if...
a) I felt the ride was decent
b) the vehicle was fairly square (one spring wasn't sagging more vs the other)
c) I don't 'need' to save the original springs

I have used aftermarket dropped coils on several applications where I needed a more agressive spring rate to compensate for the shorter travel range once dropped. Case in point, the above mentioned 350# spring was on a g-body Malibu. With 2" dropped spindles & 1-coil cut from the factory springs, the tires were constantly buzzing the tops of the front inner fenderwells. There just wasn't enough spring rate for the limited/decreased travel (<400#). I revised the set-up w/some 640# dropped coils & achieved the same ride height but rarely buzzed the fenderwells. The ride was comparable to a late model Z28 or Mustang.

For these 60-98 GM trucks, I typically will trim 1-coil before paying for a generic aftermarket 'lowering' spring.