Cutting Springs?

[scrapmetalart]

anyone cut 3" lowered springs to get another 1" or 2"?

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by scrapmetalart

anyone cut 3" lowered springs to get another 1" or 2"?

I havent tryed that......but lower than 3" on a spring, you are really pushin the limits of the geometry on the front end. I wouldnt do it.....crazyL

[texanidiot25]

You'd be really running out of travel. 3in drop springs still give me plenty of travel for city and gravel road driving, but it's as low as I'd ever go and still be in the safe zone with travel.

[72c10lover16]

can anyone post pics of their trucks with cut springs? thanks

[Longhorn Man]

they look like any other lowered truck.

[justcuz]

I've cut coil springs for years. I use a pair of vise grips to hold the spring and use as a stop for the circular saw. I use a metal cutting blade in my Skilsaw.
The vise grips act as a heat sink and I also wrap a wet rag around the coil just inside the vise grips. Then grind the end a little to clean it up and paint it. If the car does not sit perfectly level you can adjust it a little by turning the springs in the pockets. The lower control arm pocket raises as it comes around so there is some adjustment there. I've done all my Chevelles this way. Removed one coil from all of them, they set just where I want them. My pickup on the other hand may receive 3/4 ton springs. I am going to use some 31x10.50x15 tires on it and do not want any rubbing.

[Longhorn Man]

i just chopped 1/4 coil off my 3 inch drop springs last week, used an air powered cut off wheel. Chucked the coil in the vice, put a hose clamp on the metal (to keep a straight line) and let her rip. Not enough heat to worry about at all.

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

i just chopped 1/4 coil off my 3 inch drop springs last week, used an air powered cut off wheel. Chucked the coil in the vice, put a hose clamp on the metal (to keep a straight line) and let her rip. Not enough heat to worry about at all.

Dump it upsidedown in a 5 gal bucket of water,cut the exposed ring with the old "fire stick"......also not enough heat to worry about crazyL

[texanidiot25]

Originally Posted by justcuz

I've cut coil springs for years. I use a pair of vise grips to hold the spring and use as a stop for the circular saw. I use a metal cutting blade in my Skilsaw.
The vise grips act as a heat sink and I also wrap a wet rag around the coil just inside the vise grips. Then grind the end a little to clean it up and paint it. If the car does not sit perfectly level you can adjust it a little by turning the springs in the pockets. The lower control arm pocket raises as it comes around so there is some adjustment there. I've done all my Chevelles this way. Removed one coil from all of them, they set just where I want them. My pickup on the other hand may receive 3/4 ton springs. I am going to use some 31x10.50x15 tires on it and do not want any rubbing.

31x10.5s fit great with no rubbing, even when flexing the truck out some, and I have a 3in drop in rear.

[justcuz]

Thanks, I am really more concerned about the front. As it sets now the springs are right in the middle of their travel. Droop and compression are equal. I don't want rubbing on compression of the suspension. Other thank the ball joints does anyone know if 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton upper and lower control arms are the same? This is a long bed truck and it has the 5 lug stuff with a 3.07 rear end. I have 3/4 ton spindles, rotors and calipers and am tempted to convert it to 3/4 ton. I know lots of guys want the 1/2 ton stuff and I would not mind the 3/4 ton suspension. With a 4.10 rear end and a
700r4 it would make a great tow rig.

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by justcuz

Thanks, I am really more concerned about the front. As it sets now the springs are right in the middle of their travel. Droop and compression are equal. I don't want rubbing on compression of the suspension. Other thank the ball joints does anyone know if 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton upper and lower control arms are the same? This is a long bed truck and it has the 5 lug stuff with a 3.07 rear end. I have 3/4 ton spindles, rotors and calipers and am tempted to convert it to 3/4 ton. I know lots of guys want the 1/2 ton stuff and I would not mind the 3/4 ton suspension. With a 4.10 rear end and a
700r4 it would make a great tow rig.

The upper arms are the same(just swap the ball joints). The lower arms on the 20 series have a larger hole for the pressed ball joint.........crazyL

[6packed]

Originally Posted by 72c10lover16

Anyone have any advice on cutting springs. I kinda was thinkin bout cuttin my springs to lower my truck. im on a very limited budget and i drive this truck everyday. Any feedback or opinions would be appreciated.

Sent me a PM when you need springs to put your truck back to stock.

[Shane]

Not sure I have ever seen sarcasm used as a marketing tool.

[texanidiot25]

Originally Posted by justcuz

Thanks, I am really more concerned about the front. As it sets now the springs are right in the middle of their travel. Droop and compression are equal. I don't want rubbing on compression of the suspension.

How much drop do you have up front? If I have enough spare time, I can swap my rear tires up front and test it. I have 3in dropped up front as well, but I wouldn't run 31x10.5s with that much drop. 235/75? Is what I've got up front, and as far as diameter it just starts to truck up into the wheel well when you look at it at eye level... a 31" tall tire would just be too large looking up front IMO...

On a stock truck though, a 31" tire should be no problem in the fitting or looks department.

[Pont406]

I cut front springs before. I want to try and lower the rear by heat. I never done this. Do the springs actually get red from heat while lowering?

[justcuz]

Thanks Crazy L, Texas my front springs are not dropped at all, just stock and got a zillion miles on em. I have the rear end up on stands for the gear oil change and the Lock Right install. My pinion shaft pin/bolt is broken and I am going to try and remove it by using shrink tubing around the broken piece and a new bolt and heating the new bolt with the heat gun to see if I can pull it out. If it does not rain in the morning I'll post a couple of cell phone pics up. The cord for my digital camera to transfer pics to the computer is with my wife upstate. We both have the same camera, but only one cord. She is visiting our daughter during her spring break from college and they are taking pictures and sending them to me so I can see their day to day adventures. Today was the Jelly Belly Factory and the Budweiser Brewery.

[Hottrucks]

subscribed

[jbristo67]

Originally Posted by 69halfton

when you cut the springs in front, how much more harsh is the ride? i would have thought that the spring would have been softer this way, and that the truck just bottoms out a lot easier?

I didnt think it was any harsher last time i did it

[72freak]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

they look like any other lowered truck.

AMEN brother!

Here are 2 trucks with 2.5/3" cut front and 5" replacement rears. No difference in ride and no popping when turning. We will need to consult with longhorn man but I am fairly sure he will agree they also look like cut spring lowered trucks!

[justcuz]

Here is my front end and with the tire up against the fender. No cutting required on these springs, for the bigger tire that is. 2 pics of the suspension, 1 of the stock tire, 1 of the one I want to install and a side shot.

[Jim Osborne]

Before you cut you need to measure the height of your frame on each side to make sure one spring is not weak also gauge tire presure to make sure its level if its the same then you can cut the same off each spring but I would use a cut off wheel to keep the right temper in your spring good luck

[cstm68]

here is a pic of the old colis out of my 68 that the P.O. has torched (they are supose to be strait)

the truck road crap and looking from the front or back the truck was not level
iv cut a few sets of coils and have had great luck but it still cant beet the new drop coils i put in with my front end rebuild