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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,855
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cutting front coils + balljoints
I am thinking of cutting 3/4 of a coil out of my front coils to lower my 72 a bit. When I use a pickle fork on the balljoint to get at the spring, will that balljoint need to be replaced? Just tryig to get all the parts in order that I might need.
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My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795 |
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#2 |
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 6,935
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Don't cut that much! How low are you wanting to go?
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Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,855
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2" front and back. I am using 2" lowering blocks on the back
EDIT: hehehe i see why you were so worried I should have been more specific. I meant 3/4 of 1 coil on the front coild, not 3/4 of the entire spring ![]() ![]()
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My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795 |
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#4 |
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 6,935
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No, I understood you. I still wouldn't cut 3/4" off. Try a half first. Personally I usually start at 1/4" and work my way up. I haven't ever cut a total of 3/4 turn off an old spring.
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Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,855
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I've seen 1 full coil cut off a spring before and it gave 3" of drop. I don't want that much tho so I figured 3/4 od a coil would give me close to 2". Do you know if I should be buying some ball joints while I'm at it?
__________________
My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795 |
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#6 |
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 6,935
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I wouldn't recommend lowering 3" by cutting a coil, but people do it. I normally get 2" out of about 1/2 a coil removed. When I drop my Lower Control arms I didn't use a pickle fork. I put a jack under it and hit it with a hammer to break it free. The fork won't hurt the balljoint, but it will possibly screw up the grease boot, and you can't get one seperat as far as I know.
__________________
Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com |
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#7 |
Shortbox wanna-be.
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Fort St.John, British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 773
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Actually, I have found new boots at places like PartsSource, and maybe even the HELP section at crappy tire.
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1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 402BB Turbo 400 trans. (Slowly becoming a '70 shortbox 1/2 ton) '71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto '97 Z28 (11.41@127MPH) ![]() |
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#8 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,699
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cut em!
I use to cut coils, beforew drop coils were available. I found tha 1/2 coil equals 1 inch of drop. So one coil should give you 2 inches of drop. It's cheap, but I would personally go with a drop spring. Also, measure both sides of your truck BEFORE you cut, in case one side is sagging more.
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#9 |
Try spinnin 4 rear tars
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 757
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Take little bits at a time. If you cut too much, you can't go back. I say cut just a little bit and put the springs back in, then see if you like it. You can always cut more.
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SWEET7T 1970 C10, 2wd, LB, 307/TH350/3.08. PS, PB |
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#10 |
All Go, No Show
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Creighton SK
Posts: 286
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We'll do yours first tim, and i'll see if i like it. I kinda like it that your project is a few steps in front of mine that way I can see how things are done and more importantly how they turn out:p But then again yours is going to be done sooner. Bastard
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#11 |
F.A.S.T. president
![]() Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,883
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hey dubie
I had just installed new ball joints and needed to get the spring out for some reason or other. I didnt want to damge the new boots so I just unbolted the top a-arm from the frame and pulled it out and down, with out messing with the ball joints. That was on a rolling frame, I dont know if it can be done with the fenders in the way. |
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