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Old 11-30-2012, 07:45 PM   #1
shoob
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? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

im dropping the 81' SWB 350/350. i have 2" spindles. i want to go lower and am not ready to buy drop springs yet, so.....

whats the ratio?

1 coil cut = 1" drop?
2 coils cut = 1" drop?


what are you guys experiance with the coil cutting, and drop ratio?

pics of front drops, and specs? (how many coils cut, etc.)
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Old 11-30-2012, 07:47 PM   #2
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

also, does anyone do the flipped upper control arms on these trucks, like s-10's?
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Old 11-30-2012, 08:08 PM   #3
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

Generally speaking, one coil equates to two inches.

Maybe it's something all the cool kids are doing now, but I can honestly say I've never heard of anybody "flipping upper control arms".
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Old 11-30-2012, 08:51 PM   #4
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

In my experience the first coil gets you between 1 and 2 inches. Every coil thereafter is definitely 2", maybe a little more.
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Old 11-30-2012, 09:03 PM   #5
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

Can you explain the flipped control arm?
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Old 12-01-2012, 01:56 AM   #6
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

on some import mini's and other full sizes, when you go low in the front, like more than 4" it puts the upper ball joint in a pinch, a very, very hard angle, that will actually snap a ball joint. so you take the right upper control arm off and basically in a rainbow motion flip it 180 degrees to the left side, to where its upside down, press out the ball joint and install it "right side down" and bolt the control arm in.


ill see if i can find you guys some pics, its actually a very old school trick, lol. it can decrease the balljoint angle by almost 30 degrees.

people say dont do it on an s10, but we have, but some manufacturers of drop spindles for full size gm trucks, suggest doing it.


you can also "slip" you balljoints....meaning instead of mounting them oem in from the top of the control arm, you can mount them underneath, and gain more camber if your trying to tuck larger, wider rims.

Last edited by shoob; 12-01-2012 at 02:10 AM.
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Old 12-01-2012, 02:15 AM   #7
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f125/f...l-arms-464550/

http://blazerforum.com/forum/lifting...p-54468/page2/
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Old 12-01-2012, 02:16 AM   #8
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

also, do you guys know the camber per inch ratio? like 3"= 4 degrees, etc.
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Old 12-01-2012, 03:29 AM   #9
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

Ive seen flipped A arms on squares. It would help ive never done it though.
And typically 1 coil = 2" and i cut them with a chop saw.
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Old 12-01-2012, 03:54 AM   #10
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

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also, does anyone do the flipped upper control arms on these trucks, like s-10's?
lol, haven’t heard of anyone tryin this since like 1990

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im dropping the 81' SWB 350/350. i have 2" spindles. i want to go lower and am not ready to buy drop springs yet
lowered coil springs are like $50 for the pair. Or get our yer’ sawzall and Z your frame. Or add air bags..?

Finally, all you have to do is pie cut the upper and your fine. You can lay a 24 with stock upper/lower control arms and spindles.
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Old 12-01-2012, 01:12 PM   #11
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

good to know, thanks for the input guys.

why not cut with a die grinder or ziz-wheel? what ive always used, just curious.


"pie-cut"? please explain.
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Old 12-01-2012, 06:17 PM   #12
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

Just cut one coil. You didn't say what rear drop but with 2" front spindles, a coil cut and a flip kit you'll be 4/5 to 4.5/6. Perfect static drop. Mark one coil on top, cut it, re-install...not a big deal.
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Old 12-01-2012, 10:18 PM   #13
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

Chop saw wheels seem to cut spring steel with less drama.
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Old 12-02-2012, 06:25 PM   #14
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

i ended up cutting 2.5 coils, flipping the rear, and removing the helper leaf. 2" spindles, hangers, and shackles, should put me were i want to be.

whats the drama about running drop spindles, and aftermarket lower control arms together?
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Old 12-02-2012, 06:39 PM   #15
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

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i ended up cutting 2.5 coils, flipping the rear, and removing the helper leaf. 2" spindles, hangers, and shackles, should put me were i want to be.

whats the drama about running drop spindles, and aftermarket lower control arms together?
If you cut 2.5 rounds off the stock springs your going to be dragging the lower control arms when you install a set of 2.5in spindles. I doubt you will have enough alignment bolt to set the camber and caster.
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Old 12-02-2012, 07:16 PM   #16
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

Thats why you knock out the studs and use a 4" xgrade8 1/2" diameter bolt...
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Old 12-02-2012, 07:37 PM   #17
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

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Thats why you knock out the studs and use a 4" xgrade8 1/2" diameter bolt...
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I did this in 1986. Its a pita IMO
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Last edited by J Knight; 12-02-2012 at 07:58 PM.
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Old 12-02-2012, 08:08 PM   #18
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

Not fun. But gets the camber and caster without spindles.
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Old 12-02-2012, 08:24 PM   #19
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

I have a 77 c20 swb. I just cut one coil and got 2 inches of drop. And removed 3 out of 9 leafs in the rear and got 2 inches out of that also. How far is your bump stop from your upper control arm right now?
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Old 12-02-2012, 08:25 PM   #20
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

Chop cut reubild recomends 1/2 a coil at a time. You can cut more but you can't put it back. If you want it lower, then try cutting the other half.
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Old 12-02-2012, 08:27 PM   #21
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

Stull Industies used to have a kit for lowering a square that had 2 flip brackets and 2 shock extenders just like DJM makes now and it also came with 2 longer alignment bolts, not splined like they should be but off the shelf grade 8 bolts. It does work but a very crude way to do it by todays standards.
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Old 12-02-2012, 09:10 PM   #22
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

Quote:
Originally Posted by shoob View Post

whats the drama about running drop spindles, and aftermarket lower control arms together?
If you use dropped arms and dropped spindles the spring bucket will most likely hit the ground.
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Old 12-02-2012, 10:41 PM   #23
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

hmmm. any pictures of this? like and example of camber and caster adjustment.

as of right now my cross member and control arms are about 4-5" off the ground....i dont see where 2" spindles will lay the cross member on the ground.

care to enlighten me with some pics or examples? i mean, i am in no way doubting you guys, im just trying to get this c10 thing down, when it comes to dropping them.
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Old 12-02-2012, 11:00 PM   #24
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

Quote:
Originally Posted by shoob View Post
hmmm. any pictures of this? like and example of camber and caster adjustment.

as of right now my cross member and control arms are about 4-5" off the ground....i dont see where 2" spindles will lay the cross member on the ground.

care to enlighten me with some pics or examples? i mean, i am in no way doubting you guys, im just trying to get this c10 thing down, when it comes to dropping them.
Did you cut out your bumpstop mounts? Hear is a pic of the alignment studs. (I know the shims are crooked)
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Old 12-03-2012, 07:22 AM   #25
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Re: ? cut coils --> coils to inch ratio?

Quote:
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"pie-cut"? please explain.
when your lowered a lot it puts a bind on the upper balls joints, pie cutting the upper CA and relieving stress on the ball joint is necessary on stock CAs.
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i ended up cutting 2.5 coils
probably about 1.5 too much..
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as of right now my cross member and control arms are about 4-5" off the ground.....
pictures of your set-up, suspension and other shots will help a lot. What size tires are you running?
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whats the drama about running drop spindles, and aftermarket lower control arms together? .
no problems, it’s pretty common on lots of trucks.
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