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Old 09-08-2015, 01:26 AM   #1
Nils
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Dropped coil Springs

Hello
My Name is Nils and I am new on this Forum. I come from Germany and I have a 1966 Chevy C10 with the 283 V8 and the three on the tree. I restore my Truck since One Year and hope i can drive next Year. Now my Question. My Truck is 99% original and I like that. But i think it would be cool to dropp only the front a little Bit. Is it a Good way to but 2" dropped coils at the front ? Or must change some other Parts like the shocks or the spindels to ?
Thank you all and sorry for my englisch

Greetings from Germany

Nils
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Old 09-08-2015, 02:45 AM   #2
luvbowties
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Smile Re: Dropped coil Springs

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Originally Posted by Nils View Post
Hello
My Name is Nils and I am new on this Forum. I come from Germany and I have a 1966 Chevy C10 with the 283 V8 and the three on the tree. I restore my Truck since One Year and hope i can drive next Year. Now my Question. My Truck is 99% original and I like that. But i think it would be cool to dropp only the front a little Bit. Is it a Good way to but 2" dropped coils at the front ? Or must change some other Parts like the shocks or the spindels to ?
Thank you all and sorry for my englisch

Greetings from Germany

Nils
Hi, Nils, and welcome to this forum of friends and guys with 1st-hand experience. And please know that your English is just fine. I hope you not only learn many helpful answers but also enjoy the many experiences that await you on here. You may even be surprised how soon some questions arise from others that YOU are capable to answer from your own experiences, reading, and studying.

To answer your question, yes: using 2" drop coil springs is a simple, effective, and efficient method to drop the front 2" in one step, needing no additional alterations. Probably also the easiest method--next to (facetiously!) letting air out of the tires!

Every method to achieve that 2" drop can have unwanted side effects. My belief is that using 2", factory made, drop-springs--NOT cutting coils from stock springs--produces the most livable, least noticed unwanted side effects of all the various methods....and I feel pretty certain that I've tried/experienced them all.

Welcome again and good luck with this project. Do check your ball joints before and after tension is off your front suspension. If worn, replacing them would not detract from originality; it would be just a normal "maintenance" item.

Sam
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Old 09-08-2015, 03:18 AM   #3
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Re: Dropped coil Springs

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Originally Posted by Nils View Post
Hello
My Name is Nils and I am new on this Forum. I come from Germany and I have a 1966 Chevy C10 with the 283 V8 and the three on the tree. I restore my Truck since One Year and hope i can drive next Year. Now my Question. My Truck is 99% original and I like that. But i think it would be cool to dropp only the front a little Bit. Is it a Good way to but 2" dropped coils at the front ? Or must change some other Parts like the shocks or the spindels to ?
Thank you all and sorry for my englisch

Greetings from Germany

Nils
Servus! Nett, Sie kennen zu lernen Nils.
Ich heiße Vic. Ich komme aus Kalifornien aber ich in Detschland wohne...I could not imagine what it took to get an original C10 into Germany and TüV approved, however very cool! This website has a lot of information for your truck.

To your question. Drop spindles will provide you the drop you are looking for and maintain a good ride. Assuming that the your wheel/tire combo is good, pair the spindle up with a good pair of shocks (Bilstein vielleicht?) and you will be good. Or if you just go with springs, do not go more than 2-3'' as steering geometry could change.

Gruß
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Old 09-08-2015, 09:43 AM   #4
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Re: Dropped coil Springs

Thank you verry verry much for the fast answers. A Guy on ebay is selling a set of new dropped Coil Springs 2" from "CPP Performance" with the Number: FCS6102-2. Are the Coils ok ?
I will make some pics from my 66 long bed and my little garage in Germany

Thank you all
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Old 09-08-2015, 02:06 PM   #5
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Re: Dropped coil Springs

Nils,

I actually just put CPP 2" drop coils up front and 3" CPP drop coils in rear on my '66. I kept OE A-arms and trailing arms also. Check out my link in my build thread to see, if you want.
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Old 09-08-2015, 06:24 PM   #6
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Re: Dropped coil Springs

about to do the same.. do you guys think I can go 3" on the front with stock length shocks? thanks
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Old 09-09-2015, 01:57 AM   #7
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Re: Dropped coil Springs

Good morning from Germany .
Have someone a picture of a 60-66 chevy c10 with only 2" dropped coils at the front ? I would like to see the different between the original coils and the dropped.

Thank you verry much

Nils
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Old 09-09-2015, 11:40 AM   #8
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Re: Dropped coil Springs

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Good morning from Germany .
Have someone a picture of a 60-66 chevy c10 with only 2" dropped coils at the front ? I would like to see the different between the original coils and the dropped.

Thank you verry much

Nils
I do not have anything just on the suspension from before the swap, since I broke a coil. However, with 255/65r16s The bottom of my OE style front bumper is just shy of 14" off the ground

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Old 09-09-2015, 12:03 PM   #9
Keith Seymore
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Re: Dropped coil Springs

Not to be contrary but I would think in your case cutting the spring would be fine.

You are only looking for a 2" drop, which is not much. That equates to a 1" cut on the spring (not 1 coil, but 1"). That would also allow you to work with what you have on hand as opposed to ordering parts and having them delivered to Germany, and saves the cost of purchasing a set of springs. The only cost is a front end alignment after everything is done.

I have done probably seven or eight squarebodies by cutting the front coils, plus my Chevelle. My current daily driver was dropped in 1986 in this way and
currently has 217,000 miles over 29 years with no issues, so I don't think durability is a problem.

K
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Old 09-09-2015, 12:32 PM   #10
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Re: Dropped coil Springs

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Originally Posted by Keith Seymore View Post
Not to be contrary but I would think in your case cutting the spring would be fine.

You are only looking for a 2" drop, which is not much. That equates to a 1" cut on the spring (not 1 coil, but 1"). That would also allow you to work with what you have on hand as opposed to ordering parts and having them delivered to Germany, and saves the cost of purchasing a set of springs. The only cost is a front end alignment after everything is done.

I have done probably seven or eight squarebodies by cutting the front coils, plus my Chevelle. My current daily driver was dropped in 1986 in this way and
currently has 217,000 miles over 29 years with no issues, so I don't think durability is a problem.

K
X2, this is what I would do too.
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Old 09-09-2015, 01:30 PM   #11
Nils
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Re: Dropped coil Springs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith Seymore View Post
Not to be contrary but I would think in your case cutting the spring would be fine.

You are only looking for a 2" drop, which is not much. That equates to a 1" cut on the spring (not 1 coil, but 1"). That would also allow you to work with what you have on hand as opposed to ordering parts and having them delivered to Germany, and saves the cost of purchasing a set of springs. The only cost is a front end alignment after everything is done.

I have done probably seven or eight squarebodies by cutting the front coils, plus my Chevelle. My current daily driver was dropped in 1986 in this way and
currently has 217,000 miles over 29 years with no issues, so I don't think durability is a problem.

K
Yes, you are right. The shipping costs to Germany are verry high. The ccp 2"Coils cost 250Euro. I thougt that the original Coils are 49 Years old and its better to but some new dropped in. Thank you again for the Good answers.

Greetings from Germany

Nils
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Old 09-10-2015, 02:11 AM   #12
Nils
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Re: Dropped coil Springs

Good morning,
here are some pics from my Garage and my Truck. Have i nice day
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Old 09-10-2015, 05:24 AM   #13
Boats&Hoes
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Re: Dropped coil Springs

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Good morning,
here are some pics from my Garage and my Truck. Have i nice day
Geil!
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Old 09-10-2015, 03:33 PM   #14
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Re: Dropped coil Springs

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Yes, you are right. The shipping costs to Germany are verry high. The ccp 2"Coils cost 250Euro. I thougt that the original Coils are 49 Years old and its better to but some new dropped in. Thank you again for the Good answers.

Greetings from Germany

Nils
Welcome Nils
One thing to remember if your springs are the original 49 year old springs they maybe sagging some. If you buy 2" drop springs I don't think it's going to lower your truck a full 2" from where it is now.
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Old 09-11-2015, 03:54 AM   #15
Nils
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Re: Dropped coil Springs

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Welcome Nils
One thing to remember if your springs are the original 49 year old springs they maybe sagging some. If you buy 2" drop springs I don't think it's going to lower your truck a full 2" from where it is now.
Hello,
I think the Springs are the first one. The look like this
If the old Springs are sagging it would be better to but some new in. I like it that the front is deeper / lower than the back like this Picture.

Have a nice weekend

Greets

Nils
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Old 09-11-2015, 08:12 PM   #16
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Re: Dropped coil Springs

Welcome Nils!

I did the cut coil spring mod on a 65 Step and I didnt like the ride after. It was too rough.. I would recommend 2" drop springs.
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