need easy way to install front coils in clip out of truck

[cheyenne10]

I have read before about methods to install coil springs in truck when contorl arms are on truck and truck is ully loaded with mtor etc. How is a good safe way to do this with whoel front clip out of truck for detailing? I need to remove clip from parts truck, rebuild and detial and install in new truck. I want to just lift up new clip and bolt in. (will have motor out to ease install).

Any suggestions?

[paintpyro]

Do you mean the front clip out like this?

[cheyenne10]

No I mean front suspension, steering clip. Not front fender clip.

Sorry.

[N2TRUX]

So you want to deatil a front crossmember assembly, instal the springs, and bolt it on as a package.

Hmmm? I suppose you could create a jig to hold the crossmember while you put the springs in, but that's just extra work. Why not just detail and install everything as a unit, but leave the springs out. It won't be that much easier to install them now, or while it's on the truck.

[cheyenne10]

I see your point, that is a good and logical suggestion. I just saw a pic of an assembled one the other night and realized how much simpiler liftint and bolt up would be.

Anyone has experieince with this? What type of paint should zI use to paint x-member, spindles, control arms, etc.?

[N2TRUX]

Are you going to use a spray gun, or rattle can? Regardless, POR 15 seeems to be the favorite choice buy far for clean drivers....

[1FaastC10]

how much EASIER it would be to lift everything up at once? you're kidding right? that stuff has got to weigh at least 300#, the front crossmember itself can be picked up and carried around liek its nothing. i dont see how it would be easier, or safer to install everything at once.

[N2TRUX]

BTW- You can do a decent job with spray cans too. My truck had been restored, but it was getting old. I did a recent freshen up with spray cans, and it came out pretty good...

Before-

[N2TRUX]

And after-

[N2TRUX]

2-

[Slammed67]

Why not rent a coil spring compressor??? Some auto part stores will rent them for free. You just have to pay a deposit which you get back when you return the tool.

[cheyenne10]

N2TRUX; that looks great for detailing. I assume you had to do a lot of masking to get so clean. My issue is that I don't like to work under truck too much and would rather R/R all peices after detailing when x-member is out from under truck and then jack into place. I think I will plan to install coils after crossmember bolted up into place but I still won't have motor in it for downpressure (weight) when I jack up lower control arm to bolt up spindles. Wait....I see these frame off pictures all the time with nice new detailed front x-members attached to bare detailed frame. Am I goofy to think others are crossing this bridge too? I am unfamiliar with spring conpressors, I assume they can be used in situation like this? Any pictures of this process would help.

[Slammed67]

Here is a pic of a coil spring compressor:



You place it on the spring (with the threaded shaft inside the coil. Then you crank on the end of the shaft and it will compress the spring. With the spring compressed you can install it in the cross member and the release the tension. No weight or load is required on the a-arms.

[sactoC10]

Yes, a spring compressor is an option...but anyone who's used them knows that they can be a real PITA too. Yet, they are a reasonable choice, considering you do not want to work under the truck.

N2TRUX- How'd you clean those parts prior to painting them?

[Senor_paco]

The compressor I got from thwe auto Parts store was stripped, so be careful, that can be deadly. I used a ball joint press, and jacked the frame up high, and put a jack under the lower control arm, and the spring just fell out, literally!