The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1967 - 1972 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-08-2009, 03:33 PM   #1
lumpyguy
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: london ontario
Posts: 62
cutting springs

I have bought the ECE 2/4 drop springs and put it on my 6 cyl long box gmc truck and it looks funny it looks higher in the front than the rear I was thinking of cutting out 1/4 to 1/2 a coil to get it down just a bit to have a slight rake in the front. has anyone cut drop springs? how much is safe to cut out? I was thinking 1/2 coil. any help would be great thanks
lumpyguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2009, 06:05 PM   #2
magsnubby
Registered User
 
magsnubby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: fresno,ca
Posts: 448
Re: cutting springs

I'ld drive it as is for awhile. Some brands of coils have a tendency to settle a bit after their drove for awhile.
magsnubby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2009, 07:13 PM   #3
Green Machine
Senior Member
 
Green Machine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Estherville, Iowa
Posts: 3,371
Re: cutting springs

Coils won't fit the spring pockets correctly unless you cut exactly 1 coil off, they index on top and bottom. Some have done it, like 1/2 coil, but its not going to fit right, and likely make some noise as they shift around. A big block would set the front end right where you want it.
__________________
1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103
1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285
1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894
2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

Last edited by Green Machine; 02-08-2009 at 07:16 PM.
Green Machine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2009, 07:34 PM   #4
Rafael505
Registered User
 
Rafael505's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Los Town, New mexico
Posts: 217
Re: cutting springs

you could try heating them with a hand held propane torch instead of cutting
__________________
Check out my Photos
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ry.php?cat=769
L.L. N.M.

63 chevy c-10
67 chevy c-10
71 chevy Blazer 4x4
Rafael505 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2009, 01:19 PM   #5
Brad
Out of the carpool lane.
 
Brad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Clark Co, WA
Posts: 5,673
Re: cutting springs

1/2 coil will be ok, just be sure to index them both at the top and use a cutoff wheel in a grinder, not a torch to cut them.
__________________

1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red
1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!)
2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow!
2008 Husqvarna TE-610

1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten...

Brad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2009, 01:55 PM   #6
Shane
Account Suspended
 
Shane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
Posts: 14,270
Re: cutting springs

a propane torch isn't gonna get anywhere near hot enough to cause a spring to collapse ... besides, heating springs is about the WORST thing you can to do one.
Shane is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2009, 02:20 PM   #7
leddzepp
Moderator
 
leddzepp's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 19,996
Re: cutting springs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shane View Post
a propane torch isn't gonna get anywhere near hot enough to cause a spring to collapse ... besides, heating springs is about the WORST thing you can to do one.
x2
leddzepp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2009, 02:32 PM   #8
magsnubby
Registered User
 
magsnubby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: fresno,ca
Posts: 448
Re: cutting springs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rafael505 View Post
you could try heating them with a hand held propane torch instead of cutting
No. Never heat springs.
magsnubby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2009, 02:54 PM   #9
Rafael505
Registered User
 
Rafael505's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Los Town, New mexico
Posts: 217
Red face Re: cutting springs

Ya I kinda thought it wouldn't be a good Ideal to heat them, a friend of mine heated his springs on his 69 c10, I ask him if that was a good Ideal to do, he said it wouldn't mess things up, it was the easiest/cheapest way to drop the truck,, but anyhow I'm putting bags on mine,, sorry for the bad suggestion, ,
__________________
Check out my Photos
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ry.php?cat=769
L.L. N.M.

63 chevy c-10
67 chevy c-10
71 chevy Blazer 4x4
Rafael505 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2009, 03:08 PM   #10
jorgensensc
Registered User
 
jorgensensc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
Re: cutting springs

Cut 1 coil is worth about 1". I would drive it for awhile and let it settle. NEVER EVER heat the coil it is a crummy ride.
Shawn
__________________
1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty
'56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration

-What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?-

-I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door-

R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE
jorgensensc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2009, 03:28 PM   #11
68_Bowtie
Registered User
 
68_Bowtie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Claremore OK
Posts: 52
Re: cutting springs

Been there done that, back in the early 80's I had a 67 short stepside. Got the bright idea of heating all 4 coils to lower it. It looked good, but rode like a log wagon. Not recommended at all. I ended up putting 4 new coils under her.
__________________
68' SWB 355 CID since 1987
89' S15 4WD 4.3
08' VTX 1300R
08' Chevrolet HHR (Wife's ride)
"That man right there is the best sprint car driver in the whole ---damned country!" 1974- Indianapolis- AJ Foyt pointing out Jan Opperman in the garage.
68_Bowtie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2009, 04:58 PM   #12
Shane
Account Suspended
 
Shane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
Posts: 14,270
Re: cutting springs

actually, 1 full cut coil is good for approx. 2" - 2 1/2" worth of drop
Shane is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:29 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com