cutting rear coils? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chopper john · 12-31-2009, 04:21 AM

i know alot of people cut the fornt coils , its cost efective . but my question is has anyone ever cut the rear coils and remade the pig tales? i want to be about tree inches off the ground.

*2tons of fun* · 12-31-2009, 04:27 AM

lowering blocks.

chopper john · 12-31-2009, 04:36 AM

i need it 3 inch up off the ground. i already have blocks

kiknrocks · 12-31-2009, 04:43 AM

I cut my coils in the rear. You dont have to re-do the pigtail just cut the top part off the coil as much as u want (if i remember rite 1 coil = 2 inches)dont qoute me on that, then just rebolt the bottom pigtail . when you lower the truck back down, the frame will sit on the cut end of the coils. This is what i did for now and it worked awesome. Make sure you completely cut of the rear bump stops w/the medal mount that the bump sits on or your truck will bounce like crazy.Hope this helps, good luck

*2tons of fun* · 12-31-2009, 04:46 AM

AAAAACKCKKCKK!!!! seriously!!!!

chopper john · 12-31-2009, 04:50 AM

that really worked? i dont know if i really trust that very much . i know there is peopel that will cut and recoil to whatever you want . i knew an old man that used to do it for a friend of mine but he has passed .

chopper john · 12-31-2009, 04:53 AM

if i cant find anyone then i will think about it . thanks for the info. kiknrocks

chopper john · 12-31-2009, 05:59 AM

anyone else?

WHAMMY'DWONDER · 12-31-2009, 08:25 AM

I did the same, cut off the top of the spring and when you let it down, it rests against the bottom of the frame. The bottom of the spring is still bolted to the trailing arm and ive never had any problems since I did it 6 months ago.

63 & 64 Bowties · 12-31-2009, 09:01 AM

I can't imagine any way you could "make" pigtails without heating the coil. And, you don't want heat on them. Why not go to a junk yard and get used Jeep springs? They're cheap and work well. And, a whole lot safer than no pigtail.

70 Suburban · 12-31-2009, 10:55 AM

For the unknowing.. What jeep coils work.. (maybe we can save him the trouble of damiging his springs.)

**ChiefRocka** · 12-31-2009, 11:17 AM

I also cut one end off. Once bolted in the trailing arm correctly, it will not go anywhere.

Just make sure you position the cut end centered in the frame.

You can, using heat, re-shape the coil end into a pigtail....I have done that many times as well in the 'old days'.

Obviously, lowered springs, or Jeepers are the way to go (I have to throw this in to make everyone happy)

Suspensions...it's what I do

rain_man · 12-31-2009, 11:53 AM

use jeep springs
im prety sure any 97-06 cj rear springs will work

chopper john · 12-31-2009, 03:48 PM

does anyone have pics with jeep sprins on them. i wanna see how low it sits . cause i want it to sit like whammydwonders truck. there used to be an old man that used to cut them and remake the ends to whatever height you wanted.

62gmc910 · 12-31-2009, 04:14 PM

You can cut them and reshape the pig tails but you change the spring rate making for a harsher ride
The other issue of just spirng height lowering is the trailing arm geometry
A combination of the tested jeep springs and lowering blocks should get you where you want to be The other Point everybody misses is the panhard bar
It should be remounted to be horizonal at ride height and should be as long as possible and if you are smart adjustable

WHAMMY'DWONDER · 12-31-2009, 04:28 PM

MY truck has the jeep springs that are CUT in the pic. above. They werent low enough stock (stock jeep springs)only got it 4 inches or so lower. and I wanted hammered! by the way, the truck rides soooo amazing with the jeep springs, even cut people that ride in it cant even believe it. Never have had any problems with the cut springs moving around or making funny noises or anything either. oh and I did cut the the springs and heat up an end to make it a pig tail on both ends but it colapsed where I pig tailed it so just cut now, and no problems. jeep springs were outa 01' grand cherokee rear with a v8.

chopper john · 12-31-2009, 04:44 PM

Well i put a 96 caprice rearend so i Have to redo the pan hard bar , as long as posible . But i want the hight first then set pinion angle , last adjustable pan hard bar.

*2tons of fun* · 12-31-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rain_man

use jeep springs
im prety sure any 97-06 cj rear springs will work

2 things

cjs are leaf sprung
the last cj was 1986.

tj or jk springs work though.

63 & 64 Bowties · 12-31-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70 Suburban

For the unknowing.. What jeep coils work.. (maybe we can save him the trouble of damiging his springs.)

Cherokee (I haven't seen Grand Cherokee done, so I'm not sure of those)
Or, 70's Chevelle springs work too. That's what I used in my 63

chopper john · 12-31-2009, 06:55 PM

well i guess im gonna cut mine , they are off a g body car . but at the end that sits on the forame ill weld in a piece of pipe to slide it into so it wont fall out . just to secure a little bit

SCOTI · 12-31-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chopper john

well i guess im gonna cut mine , they are off a g body car . but at the end that sits on the forame ill weld in a piece of pipe to slide it into so it wont fall out . just to secure a little bit

If it's bolted to the truck arm like it's supposed to be, it's not going anywhere.

kiknrocks · 12-31-2009, 07:51 PM

well im sure glad you guys put in your 2cents cuz i know i wasnt the only one that lowered my truck that way. Thanks

rain_man · 12-31-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2tons of fun

2 things

cjs are leaf sprung
the last cj was 1986.

tj or jk springs work though.

ya srry (tj) is what i was trying to say just miss typed

smokinjoker252 · 01-01-2010, 12:49 AM

rear springs out of a mid to late '80's 325is BMW will give you about 3-4 inches and a great ride. They are coiled tight at each end so a small cut of the pigtail with a sawzall is needed. This allows the stock cup to be used in holding them in place. I got mine for free when my buddy lowered his BMW

chopper john · 01-27-2010, 02:26 AM

this is how it sits now with the rear coils cut . thanks alot guys it rides beautiful. i used a set of g body springs.

12-31-2009, 04:21 AM	#1
chopper john Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: anaheim ca Posts: 274	cutting rear coils? i know alot of people cut the fornt coils , its cost efective . but my question is has anyone ever cut the rear coils and remade the pig tales? i want to be about tree inches off the ground. Last edited by chopper john; 12-31-2009 at 04:23 AM.

12-31-2009, 04:27 AM	#2
2tons of fun Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: galt ca, Posts: 749	Re: cutting rear coils? lowering blocks.

12-31-2009, 04:36 AM	#3
chopper john Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: anaheim ca Posts: 274	Re: cutting rear coils? i need it 3 inch up off the ground. i already have blocks Attached Images Last edited by chopper john; 12-31-2009 at 04:37 AM.

12-31-2009, 04:43 AM	#4
kiknrocks 65 Chevy Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: LODI Ca Posts: 144	Re: cutting rear coils? I cut my coils in the rear. You dont have to re-do the pigtail just cut the top part off the coil as much as u want (if i remember rite 1 coil = 2 inches)dont qoute me on that, then just rebolt the bottom pigtail . when you lower the truck back down, the frame will sit on the cut end of the coils. This is what i did for now and it worked awesome. Make sure you completely cut of the rear bump stops w/the medal mount that the bump sits on or your truck will bounce like crazy.Hope this helps, good luck

12-31-2009, 04:46 AM	#5
2tons of fun Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: galt ca, Posts: 749	Re: cutting rear coils? AAAAACKCKKCKK!!!! seriously!!!!

12-31-2009, 04:50 AM	#6
chopper john Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: anaheim ca Posts: 274	Re: cutting rear coils? that really worked? i dont know if i really trust that very much . i know there is peopel that will cut and recoil to whatever you want . i knew an old man that used to do it for a friend of mine but he has passed .

12-31-2009, 04:53 AM	#7
chopper john Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: anaheim ca Posts: 274	Re: cutting rear coils? if i cant find anyone then i will think about it . thanks for the info. kiknrocks Last edited by chopper john; 12-31-2009 at 05:37 AM.

12-31-2009, 05:59 AM	#8
chopper john Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: anaheim ca Posts: 274	Re: cutting rear coils? anyone else?

12-31-2009, 08:25 AM	#9
WHAMMY'DWONDER Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: ALBANY OREGON Posts: 13	Re: cutting rear coils? I did the same, cut off the top of the spring and when you let it down, it rests against the bottom of the frame. The bottom of the spring is still bolted to the trailing arm and ive never had any problems since I did it 6 months ago.

12-31-2009, 09:01 AM	#10
63 & 64 Bowties and a few others Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 5,638	Re: cutting rear coils? I can't imagine any way you could "make" pigtails without heating the coil. And, you don't want heat on them. Why not go to a junk yard and get used Jeep springs? They're cheap and work well. And, a whole lot safer than no pigtail. __________________ Bill US Army Vet -193rd Infantry BlueRidgeMuscleCars.com “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Gandhi

12-31-2009, 10:55 AM	#11
70 Suburban Rods Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bryan, TX Posts: 1,398	Re: cutting rear coils? For the unknowing.. What jeep coils work.. (maybe we can save him the trouble of damiging his springs.) __________________ Just keepin it simple. 1965 C-10 Ext cab build. 350??(Does it count at 2 truck if I had to cut one up?) 1966 C-10 lwb 283 auto 1970 Suburban in pieces 1971 Blazer 4wd....restore someday. all factory CST 1972 Blazer 4wd parts truck still a roller 1972 GMC Sierra Grandee 1998 Chevy ext driver. 2005 F**D the wife drive...(cant fix women)

12-31-2009, 11:17 AM	#12
ChiefRocka Hollister, CA. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 6,150	Re: cutting rear coils? I also cut one end off. Once bolted in the trailing arm correctly, it will not go anywhere. Just make sure you position the cut end centered in the frame. You can, using heat, re-shape the coil end into a pigtail....I have done that many times as well in the 'old days'. Obviously, lowered springs, or Jeepers are the way to go (I have to throw this in to make everyone happy) Suspensions...it's what I do __________________ John What the Heck is that ?? CURRENT BUILDS: 62 BurbMaster Other Builds: My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW '06 HD StrAight Axle Swap Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965 www.ACCHOLLISTER.com ACC on FACEBOOK "Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"

12-31-2009, 11:53 AM	#13
rain_man Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: daytona beach fl Posts: 187	Re: cutting rear coils? use jeep springs im prety sure any 97-06 cj rear springs will work __________________ 61 step/long bed SBW(SOLD) NEED A NEW PROJECT

12-31-2009, 03:48 PM	#14
chopper john Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: anaheim ca Posts: 274	Re: cutting rear coils? does anyone have pics with jeep sprins on them. i wanna see how low it sits . cause i want it to sit like whammydwonders truck. there used to be an old man that used to cut them and remake the ends to whatever height you wanted. Last edited by chopper john; 12-31-2009 at 03:50 PM.

12-31-2009, 04:14 PM	#15
62gmc910 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cremona AB Canada Posts: 370	Re: cutting rear coils? You can cut them and reshape the pig tails but you change the spring rate making for a harsher ride The other issue of just spirng height lowering is the trailing arm geometry A combination of the tested jeep springs and lowering blocks should get you where you want to be The other Point everybody misses is the panhard bar It should be remounted to be horizonal at ride height and should be as long as possible and if you are smart adjustable __________________ 62 GMC 910 short fleetside 454 super t10 14 bolt w/gov lock 70s c20 front discs (built in the 80s) 65 GMC 930 dualwheel 292 4spd all origonal 39k mi(my sons truck) 63 GMC 950 camperized school bus, (Gus the bus) 350 4speed 2 speed rear 64 GMC 950 "spare" bus 283? 4speed detroit locker 53 GMC 1ton dual wheel bus 78 GMC c25 short course off road race truck(son's truck) 355 th400 14 bolt (www.wheel2wheel.ca) 88 Peterbilt 379 longhood (hauls race truck)



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12-31-2009, 04:28 PM	#16
WHAMMY'DWONDER Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: ALBANY OREGON Posts: 13	Re: cutting rear coils? MY truck has the jeep springs that are CUT in the pic. above. They werent low enough stock (stock jeep springs)only got it 4 inches or so lower. and I wanted hammered! by the way, the truck rides soooo amazing with the jeep springs, even cut people that ride in it cant even believe it. Never have had any problems with the cut springs moving around or making funny noises or anything either. oh and I did cut the the springs and heat up an end to make it a pig tail on both ends but it colapsed where I pig tailed it so just cut now, and no problems. jeep springs were outa 01' grand cherokee rear with a v8.

12-31-2009, 04:44 PM	#17
chopper john Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: anaheim ca Posts: 274	Re: cutting rear coils? Well i put a 96 caprice rearend so i Have to redo the pan hard bar , as long as posible . But i want the hight first then set pinion angle , last adjustable pan hard bar. Last edited by chopper john; 12-31-2009 at 05:16 PM.

12-31-2009, 06:55 PM	#20
chopper john Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: anaheim ca Posts: 274	Re: cutting rear coils? well i guess im gonna cut mine , they are off a g body car . but at the end that sits on the forame ill weld in a piece of pipe to slide it into so it wont fall out . just to secure a little bit

12-31-2009, 07:51 PM	#22
kiknrocks 65 Chevy Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: LODI Ca Posts: 144	Re: cutting rear coils? well im sure glad you guys put in your 2cents cuz i know i wasnt the only one that lowered my truck that way. Thanks

01-01-2010, 12:49 AM	#24
smokinjoker252 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Independence, Or Posts: 4	Re: cutting rear coils? rear springs out of a mid to late '80's 325is BMW will give you about 3-4 inches and a great ride. They are coiled tight at each end so a small cut of the pigtail with a sawzall is needed. This allows the stock cup to be used in holding them in place. I got mine for free when my buddy lowered his BMW

01-27-2010, 02:26 AM	#25
chopper john Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: anaheim ca Posts: 274	Re: cutting rear coils? this is how it sits now with the rear coils cut . thanks alot guys it rides beautiful. i used a set of g body springs. Attached Images Last edited by chopper john; 01-27-2010 at 02:27 AM.

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