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#1 |
The LuvShack Garage
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side)
Posts: 30,477
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I am wanting to lower my 2wd a bit, gonna eventually bag it, but for now
it just sits up a little to high for my liking, In the past I have always been the idiot who has heated up the springs and cut the snubbers in 1/2, It's been said here to cut one coil off the springs and still retain the ride, Will either one of these options make a diffeance later when I bag it? I don't want to mess anything up I might need later, for once I'm thinking ahead. ![]()
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Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T |
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#2 |
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 6,935
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Re: Heat or Cut - Coils
I personally don't recommend heating a spring EVER. Cutting a coil or half a coil or etc is not a problem though. Once you bag it, you won't need the coils.
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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 | |
The LuvShack Garage
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side)
Posts: 30,477
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Re: Heat or Cut - Coils
Quote:
I was assuming that, but will it damage anything else? Thanks ![]()
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Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stockton, CA
Posts: 1,579
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Re: Heat or Cut - Coils
I would cut the coils. You still have same ride just lower. Heating the coils will make it bounce more and you will loose your ride quality. Either way it wont damage anything.
Maybe heating the coils might wear stuff out faster because it will bounce more because of the springs will be soft.
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For every person with a spark of genius, There are a hundred with ignition trouble. ![]() |
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#5 |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
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Re: Heat or Cut - Coils
Heating the coils ruins the coils and ruins the ride. It may not matter about the coils since you plan to trash them when you bag it. In the meantime the springs will sag and the ride will turn to crap. Take the time to cut a coil and keep the ride.
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: modesto, ca
Posts: 3
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Re: Heat or Cut - Coils
correct me if im wrong but the rear coil springs are tapered right? so if you were to cut a coil out they wouldnt be able to be bolted back down to the little mounting brackets that secure them to the trailing arms and or frame (depending on what side you cut)
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stockton, CA
Posts: 1,579
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Re: Heat or Cut - Coils
Quote:
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For every person with a spark of genius, There are a hundred with ignition trouble. ![]() |
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#8 |
GM ONLY BABY!!!
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Fort Wayne, IN.
Posts: 1,998
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Re: Heat or Cut - Coils
Definatley CUT them!! I cut 1 round out of the front of my 72 GMC and it dropped it about 2". Which is good enough for me for now, until I install the 2" drop spindles next year, and a whole new front end. I used a die grinder with a cut off wheel on it. Worked great.
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2 wrongs don't make a right, but 3 lefts do. 66 Chevelle Malibu 406ci, 573hp, 10.99@121mph 96 Chevy Silverado Z71 72 GMC 1500 Super Custom LS 6.0/4L65 on airride ![]() ![]() http://www.cardomain.com/ride/707879...mc-c-k-pick-up |
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#9 |
Epoxy Primer Friendly
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: South of Houston TEXXXAS
Posts: 680
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Re: Heat or Cut - Coils
just use some lowering blocks on the rear of a coil spring truck.
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#10 |
-Praise the Lowered-
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Garland, Tx, USA
Posts: 280
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Re: Heat or Cut - Coils
I completely agree with everyone else, heating the springs IS the worst way to go. However, if you plan on replacing them soon and your just needin' to get "in the weeds" immediately, then you'll probably be alright. Your surely not the first to do it.
Stack a series of wood blocks or a pair of jack stands underneath your frame rails (front or rear depending on which end your working on) with a gap approximately the same amount you plan to drop the truck. Using a torch, start heating the bottom of the spring working your way around so that second coil collapses onto the first. If this isn't enough, then start heating the 3rd coil so that it collapses on the second. You don't want to start heating the spring in the middle or you will "overly" distort the spring. As the truck begins to touch your blocks or jack stands, stop. Let the coils cool, then remove the blocks or stands. I would do the above in small increments, say 1/2" at a time. Your ride quality will no doubt get worse. It will be stiff and uncomfortable. And depending on how low you go, you may find that everytime you "jack-up" the front end of your truck, your springs will shift and will not seat properly in the upper perch.
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Race-N-Jason ('71 Chevy C-10 LWB 454/TH350) ('07 Dodge Ram 2500, 5.9 Cummins/6-speed Manual) |
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