cutting springs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mgranta · 08-06-2006, 02:09 AM

can the 69-72 trucks be lowered buy cutting the stock springs?

Longhorn Man · 08-06-2006, 04:18 AM

in front, yes. in back, it can be done, but way unsafe due to the fact that they are pig tailed on both ends.

**Boog** · 08-06-2006, 07:08 AM

Being a new member you most likely haven't read all the negative feelings on cutting springs. Most will advise you not to do it. Several reasons. New lowered springs are not all that expensive and it will maintain the ride and improve the handling. I read once that an early monte carlo spring would fit and lower the truck but I don't remember the specs.

Longhorn Man · 08-06-2006, 08:48 AM

However...
a properly cut spring, and carefully measured cut, can produce a good looking ride, and not be dangeouse.
What one person calls a budget bolt on, ano9ther person calls his whole budget.

**Boog** · 08-06-2006, 09:05 AM

Now how did I know you'd come back with that?

mgranta, as you see there are differing opinions on cutting springs. Do more research before you drag out the cutting torch though.

mgranta · 08-06-2006, 10:19 AM

Thanks for your help. I was doing some research on cutting springs and conldn't find anything on the topic...changed my searches too cutting coils and found all kinds of opinions...lol I think I will just wait and get the right springs...but I want it low now

crazy longhorn · 08-06-2006, 10:25 AM

Cut coils are fine up front,& you can figure that 1 full round off the bottom will get you 2 1/2-3" of drop. At the rear of a coil spring truck, you can use a 2 1/2" block to lower(tween the diff & the trailing arm). Figure 2 1/2" to be about max on the blocks, or you will be scraping suspension pcs on the pavement tho.....

L

70c10 · 08-06-2006, 11:33 AM

I cut 1¼ coils off my fronts and got between 2¾" and 3" drop. I used a 4" cutoff wheel on a grinder. 4" drop springs on the rear cost about $100. Easy and cheap!

. My avatar is my truck "before" it was lowered and here is a current pic after the drop.

pissonNOS · 08-07-2006, 01:27 AM

if u want it lowered now cut the coils till you get the lowered coils, that was my philosphy 3 years ago still havent bought the drop coils yet but the ride quality is great and i have no problems i check the spring pockets all the time just in case tho

camaro__thunder · 08-07-2006, 01:53 AM

Dont use a torch as it will kill the spring. Use a cutoff wheel or similar to keep the heat down. Another thing with drop springs you may find depressing is the fact that they may not lower your truck if your springs are sagging. These arent new trucks lol Spindles are nice and you can get them in a 3" drop.

08-06-2006, 02:09 AM	#1
mgranta Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: socal Posts: 8	cutting springs can the 69-72 trucks be lowered buy cutting the stock springs?

08-06-2006, 04:18 AM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: cutting springs in front, yes. in back, it can be done, but way unsafe due to the fact that they are pig tailed on both ends.

08-06-2006, 07:08 AM	#3
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,514	Re: cutting springs Being a new member you most likely haven't read all the negative feelings on cutting springs. Most will advise you not to do it. Several reasons. New lowered springs are not all that expensive and it will maintain the ride and improve the handling. I read once that an early monte carlo spring would fit and lower the truck but I don't remember the specs. __________________ 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

08-06-2006, 08:48 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: cutting springs However... a properly cut spring, and carefully measured cut, can produce a good looking ride, and not be dangeouse. What one person calls a budget bolt on, ano9ther person calls his whole budget.

08-06-2006, 09:05 AM	#5
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,514	Re: cutting springs Now how did I know you'd come back with that? mgranta, as you see there are differing opinions on cutting springs. Do more research before you drag out the cutting torch though. __________________ 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

08-06-2006, 10:19 AM	#6
mgranta Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: socal Posts: 8	Re: cutting springs Thanks for your help. I was doing some research on cutting springs and conldn't find anything on the topic...changed my searches too cutting coils and found all kinds of opinions...lol I think I will just wait and get the right springs...but I want it low now

08-06-2006, 10:25 AM	#7
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Re: cutting springs Cut coils are fine up front,& you can figure that 1 full round off the bottom will get you 2 1/2-3" of drop. At the rear of a coil spring truck, you can use a 2 1/2" block to lower(tween the diff & the trailing arm). Figure 2 1/2" to be about max on the blocks, or you will be scraping suspension pcs on the pavement tho..... 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....

08-06-2006, 11:33 AM	#8
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Re: cutting springs I cut 1¼ coils off my fronts and got between 2¾" and 3" drop. I used a 4" cutoff wheel on a grinder. 4" drop springs on the rear cost about $100. Easy and cheap! . My avatar is my truck "before" it was lowered and here is a current pic after the drop. Attached Images __________________ 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

08-07-2006, 01:27 AM	#9
pissonNOS senior member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: fort macleod alberta Posts: 2,770	Re: cutting springs if u want it lowered now cut the coils till you get the lowered coils, that was my philosphy 3 years ago still havent bought the drop coils yet but the ride quality is great and i have no problems i check the spring pockets all the time just in case tho __________________ 69 GMC bagged

08-07-2006, 01:53 AM	#10
camaro__thunder Epoxy Primer Friendly Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: South of Houston TEXXXAS Posts: 680	Re: cutting springs Dont use a torch as it will kill the spring. Use a cutoff wheel or similar to keep the heat down. Another thing with drop springs you may find depressing is the fact that they may not lower your truck if your springs are sagging. These arent new trucks lol Spindles are nice and you can get them in a 3" drop. __________________ My Project 69 SWB SHAVED BAGGED DOORED

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