dropped front springs

[ezernut9mm]

ok, so i did a little searching about dropping the front end, but my question wasn't really answered in what i read. lmc sells 2" lowering springs for the front pretty reasonable so i was thinking about doing this. if i use the springs only and no lower a arms or spindles will it affect the geometry of the front end enough to matter? i don't want to stress out any front end parts or excessively wear the tires...

[pissonNOS]

Well I cut my front springs and then I took the truck to get a wheel alignment and havent had any problems with tire wear or anything

[ezernut9mm]

good deal. do you need a spring compressor to get the springs out?

[pissonNOS]

i didnt use one just dont put jack stands under the A arms and ull be ok. I used 3/4 ton springs too but I dont think that makes a difference.

[ezernut9mm]

thanks for the info jason.

[Joe67]

Originally Posted by ezernut9mm

ok, so i did a little searching about dropping the front end, but my question wasn't really answered in what i read. lmc sells 2" lowering springs for the front pretty reasonable so i was thinking about doing this. if i use the springs only and no lower a arms or spindles will it affect the geometry of the front end enough to matter? i don't want to stress out any front end parts or excessively wear the tires...

If your current springs are pretty well worn, you won't see much of a difference going to a 2" drop spring.

Regarding any geometry problems, you'll be OK

[Benrs86]

i know this might make some poeple mad, but i would suggest cutting a coil out of your old springs. i did this with my 69 gmc half ton, and it dropped it 2.5 inches and it rode soooooooooo much better. maybe that isnt the ordinary result, but for mine it drove like a caddy. good luck, Ben

[pissonNOS]

I did like ben said but i used 3/4 ton springs i dont know if that makes a difference or not but it still rides fine

[ezernut9mm]

yeah, i took off the tire today to see what i was really dealing with. everything on the front end has been replaced recently so i don't think disassembly will be that big a deal.

i'm just going to jack it up from the center of the crossmember and support it with jackstands. then remove the lower shock bolt and ball joint crown nut. also, i think i'll have to at least loosen the anti-sway bar bolts and then drop the lower a-arm. this should do it don't you think?

[rustyold72]

DO NOT, REPEAT, DO NOT REMOVE THE BALL JOINT NUT
Loosen it but do not remove it until you get the ball joint loose from the spindle
I'd hate to see someone get hurt because the spring flew out when the ball joint separates from the spindle, had a friend lose a finger from a spring flying out (and that was a wimpy toyota corolla front spring)
The rest of the procedure sounds fine
Good luck

[jay6891]

I agree with rustold72. Loosen the nut, with a floor jack under the lower arm, When yoiu get the ball joint loose from the spindle. Remove the nut, jack still under the a-arm. Get yourself out of the way and slowly relieve pressure off of a-arm by lowering the jack. Your safe when ALL the tension is out of the spring.

[ezernut9mm]

thanks for that heads up guys.

[Tx Firefighter]

Try Early Classic for your springs. Much better customer service than LMC.

[ezernut9mm]

i'm thinking about just cutting mine. they are brand new so i should see some ride height difference. plus i'm not really "allowed" to spend any money on this truck, so i'm gonna have to be real frugal with it.

[RON WOODGEARD]

Originally Posted by ezernut9mm

i'm thinking about just cutting mine. they are brand new so i should see some ride height difference. plus i'm not really "allowed" to spend any money on this truck, so i'm gonna have to be real frugal with it.

I'm one whom says don't cut . buy.

A spring works as it's intended length. The spring rate is not the same the whole distance of the spring, and it "Gives" differently in different parts of the spring.

Try posting your springs on the for sale section and see if you can trade someone who has done the drop and didn't like it. They are there every once in a while.

Now with that said... I'm from the old school and time, we didn't have dropped springs, we "had" to cut our own. DO NOT DO IT WITH A TORCH!! cut it with a hacksaw. And you'll be cussing me the whole time. So be sure to use a NEW blade. even a Grinder will overheat and remove some of the temper.

Don't forget to get the front end re-aligned.. You'll wear tires and it won't drive right.

[Tx Firefighter]

I cut them with a die grinder and a cut-off wheel. You can touch the spring an inch from the end and it's not too hot.

[ezernut9mm]

yeah, it does seem wasteful to cut a brand new set of springs, but i'm on a zero budget and that's what i have. i would trade with someone local if i had the chance, but after messing with shipping and all that i think i'm just gonna cut 'em. since this wont be done until there's a break in the weather, maybe i'll post this up in the classifieds and se if i get any bites. thanks for the advise everyone.