Chopping coils - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ThatOneBlue67 · 04-07-2007, 10:32 PM

Ok, now I'm prepared to receive tons of negative feedback on this subject. BUT, I have to ask.

Is cutting coils really THAT bad?

I'd like to see my truck lowered, and I was hoping to spend my tax return money on it. But now I've got bills, high gas prices, and the union screaming at me for more money. I'm definetly going to do drop spindles and such in the future, but right now I'm a broke kid getting ready to graduate high school.

If I just cut 1-1.5 inches off the front coil (with a hack saw or similar) and 2 or 3" off in the back, would anything bad happen? By bad I mean: premature wear on neighboring parts, broken shocks, stuff falling off on the freeway, crappy suspension travel, etc.

Just asking, I haven't actually done it yet. Would like to hear everyones views. Thank you guys.

72armyswbtruck · 04-07-2007, 10:36 PM

Why not just flip them?

dave2953 · 04-07-2007, 10:36 PM

I cut my front coils about 3 years ago and haven't had any problems, i.e. no irregular tire wear, front end parts, etc. I cut 1.5 coils off mine. I wouldn't recommend cutting off that much because when I go over bumps the springs bounce around in the pocket. As far as the rears, you can't cut the rears since they are pigtailed at the cups. I replaced mine w/ drop springs. There was a really good thread concerning the pros and cons a couple of weeks back; I'll see if I can find it.

ThatOneBlue67 · 04-07-2007, 11:01 PM

Cool cool, yeah I noticed the rear coils had an inconsistent design.

70c10 · 04-07-2007, 11:57 PM

I cut 1.25 coils off mine and got almost 3" drop on the front. The coils are now on Captain Keneival's truck and look great!

Longhorn Man · 04-08-2007, 12:19 AM

use a cut off wheel or a torch, if you ue a hack saw, it'll take all weekend and you'll spend $200 in blades.
Cutting them is fine. That's how it's been done for 50 years untill the 90's when they actually started making lowering springs.

**Boog** · 04-08-2007, 10:05 AM

There are many threads about lowering our trucks and many have cut front coils. There are drawbacks of course. But if you go that route use a cutoff wheel and take maybe 1 round off the fronts and use a 2" lowering block on the rear. This is about as cheap as you can do it.

Do not simply heat the springs to lower it!

centsless · 04-08-2007, 10:54 AM

I have heard that you can put the spring in a bucket of water with about one coil out of the water and heat them. The water will keep the rest of the spring from getting hot. I honestly dont really see a big difference between cutting a coil, and lowering springs. Definately put the correct shocks on, so it will prevent the spring from coming out of the pocket. Also, look around, I found my 3/5 springs on e-bay for $100 shipped. They also show up here on the board on occasion.

crazy longhorn · 04-08-2007, 11:06 AM

To locate properly top/bottom, you are best to stick with 1 round off the front coils. This also keeps the spring from bouncing around in the pocket, like you get with shorter coils. My truck was done this way, as a temporary deal about a dozen yrs ago. It hasnt caused any problems.....& likely will stay that way("if it aint broke, it dont need fixin")

I did build a set of shock relocators, to get the shock in the middle of its travel. best of luck

L

**N2TRUX** · 04-08-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

There are many threads about lowering our trucks and many have cut front coils. There are drawbacks of course. But if you go that route use a cutoff wheel and take maybe 1 round off the fronts and use a 2" lowering block on the rear. This is about as cheap as you can do it.

Do not simply heat the springs to lower it!

......

From experience with MANY lowered vehicles this is 100% correct. Cut a spring with low heat and you will be just fine. Heat a spring until it collapses and it will continue to sag till it hits bottom

65-72 chevytoys · 04-08-2007, 12:58 PM

Best to use a cutoff wheel. Is faster than a hacksaw and doesn't change the spring rate from too much heat by using a torch.

ThatOneBlue67 · 04-08-2007, 10:11 PM

OK ok cool. Thankyou everyone! I've got the enxt week off from work and school ,so I'll see what I can do.

04-07-2007, 10:32 PM	#1
ThatOneBlue67 I survived Dead Man's Curve. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Nine-Five-687 Posts: 389	Chopping coils Ok, now I'm prepared to receive tons of negative feedback on this subject. BUT, I have to ask. *Is cutting coils really THAT* bad?** I'd like to see my truck lowered, and I was hoping to spend my tax return money on it. But now I've got bills, high gas prices, and the union screaming at me for more money. I'm definetly going to do drop spindles and such in the future, but right now I'm a broke kid getting ready to graduate high school. If I just cut 1-1.5 inches off the front coil (with a hack saw or similar) and 2 or 3" off in the back, would anything bad happen? By bad I mean: premature wear on neighboring parts, broken shocks, stuff falling off on the freeway, crappy suspension travel, etc. Just asking, I haven't actually done it yet. Would like to hear everyones views. Thank you guys. __________________ "The people should not be afraid of their government. The government should be afraid of it's people." "The Hurricane" 1967 Chevrolet C10 350 Eight Cylinder, 700R4 BowtieOverdrive *Cherry Bomb...* Disturbing the Peace Since 1968.

04-07-2007, 10:36 PM	#2
72armyswbtruck Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,034	Re: Chopping coils Why not just flip them? __________________ "Remember, They can Kill You, but they can't eat You, That's against the law!!!!!!!!!"

04-07-2007, 10:36 PM	#3
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: Chopping coils I cut my front coils about 3 years ago and haven't had any problems, i.e. no irregular tire wear, front end parts, etc. I cut 1.5 coils off mine. I wouldn't recommend cutting off that much because when I go over bumps the springs bounce around in the pocket. As far as the rears, you can't cut the rears since they are pigtailed at the cups. I replaced mine w/ drop springs. There was a really good thread concerning the pros and cons a couple of weeks back; I'll see if I can find it. __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

04-07-2007, 11:01 PM	#4
ThatOneBlue67 I survived Dead Man's Curve. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Nine-Five-687 Posts: 389	Re: Chopping coils Cool cool, yeah I noticed the rear coils had an inconsistent design. __________________ "The people should not be afraid of their government. The government should be afraid of it's people." "The Hurricane" 1967 Chevrolet C10 350 Eight Cylinder, 700R4 BowtieOverdrive *Cherry Bomb...* Disturbing the Peace Since 1968.

04-07-2007, 11:57 PM	#5
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Re: Chopping coils I cut 1.25 coils off mine and got almost 3" drop on the front. The coils are now on Captain Keneival's truck and look great! __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

04-08-2007, 12:19 AM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Chopping coils use a cut off wheel or a torch, if you ue a hack saw, it'll take all weekend and you'll spend $200 in blades. Cutting them is fine. That's how it's been done for 50 years untill the 90's when they actually started making lowering springs.

04-08-2007, 10:05 AM	#7
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,190	Re: Chopping coils There are many threads about lowering our trucks and many have cut front coils. There are drawbacks of course. But if you go that route use a cutoff wheel and take maybe 1 round off the fronts and use a 2" lowering block on the rear. This is about as cheap as you can do it. Do not simply heat the springs to lower it! __________________ 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

04-08-2007, 10:54 AM	#8
centsless sufficiently talented fool Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Forest Hill, MD Posts: 2,231	Re: Chopping coils I have heard that you can put the spring in a bucket of water with about one coil out of the water and heat them. The water will keep the rest of the spring from getting hot. I honestly dont really see a big difference between cutting a coil, and lowering springs. Definately put the correct shocks on, so it will prevent the spring from coming out of the pocket. Also, look around, I found my 3/5 springs on e-bay for $100 shipped. They also show up here on the board on occasion. __________________ "it's impossible to be surrounded by idiots when you are part of the circle" 2003 Suburban 2002 Pontiac Montana 1981 Corvette 1966 Impala Convertible Click here to support the board

04-08-2007, 11:06 AM	#9
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	Re: Chopping coils To locate properly top/bottom, you are best to stick with 1 round off the front coils. This also keeps the spring from bouncing around in the pocket, like you get with shorter coils. My truck was done this way, as a temporary deal about a dozen yrs ago. It hasnt caused any problems.....& likely will stay that way("if it aint broke, it dont need fixin") I did build a set of shock relocators, to get the shock in the middle of its travel. best of luck L __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

04-08-2007, 12:58 PM	#11
65-72 chevytoys Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida Posts: 1,113	Re: Chopping coils Best to use a cutoff wheel. Is faster than a hacksaw and doesn't change the spring rate from too much heat by using a torch. __________________ 2004 Chevy Silverado 1500LS SWB 5.3L 2004 Corvette Z16 #770 Wish I had not sold 72 blazer

04-08-2007, 10:11 PM	#12
ThatOneBlue67 I survived Dead Man's Curve. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Nine-Five-687 Posts: 389	Re: Chopping coils OK ok cool. Thankyou everyone! I've got the enxt week off from work and school ,so I'll see what I can do. __________________ "The people should not be afraid of their government. The government should be afraid of it's people." "The Hurricane" 1967 Chevrolet C10 350 Eight Cylinder, 700R4 BowtieOverdrive *Cherry Bomb...* Disturbing the Peace Since 1968.



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