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#26 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Moore, Oklahoma
Posts: 2,396
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Re: need front spring advice
Quote:
How'd ya do the back? Because it is a GMC, i am just assuming its leaf spring -- did you do a axle flip, or use shackles and other devices?
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Are you retired too? Nonsense! I'm in my prime |
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#27 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C., Canada
Posts: 1,602
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Re: need front spring advice
Quote:
I have coils out back .... 2' lowering blocks which you can make or purchase. esll. ![]()
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Tomorrow is for doing today's stuff. ![]() ************************************* This truck has just the right amount of energy for me! ![]() Author: Warren Lake .... (member) |
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#28 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: here
Posts: 5,789
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Re: need front spring advice
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#29 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: plainfield indiana
Posts: 283
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Re: need front spring advice
Are You Guys Cutting Off The Bracket That The Bump Stop Is Mounted To I Bought Spindels And Springs From Ece But Cut Them Off For A Little More Clearance Its Not Together Yet Dont Know If It Was A Must To Do But It Looks Alot Better 2 Coils Cut It Got To Be Nearly Bottomed Out
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#30 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C., Canada
Posts: 1,602
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Re: need front spring advice
Quote:
Ok word to the wise, your in a lowered truck you cannot just ignore speed bumps, pot holes and the like. SLOW DOWN WHEN YOU SEE THESE! I have no problem with mine but I watch for these, cool comes with a price but you need not be bottoming out. If you are bottoming out your going too fast. Go around pot holes and slow down for speed bumps after all that's why there there. Never cut off the bracket for the bump stops. Have a good time with the new truck (look.) esll. ![]()
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Tomorrow is for doing today's stuff. ![]() ************************************* This truck has just the right amount of energy for me! ![]() Author: Warren Lake .... (member) Last edited by EAST SIDE LOW LIFE; 01-01-2008 at 03:53 PM. |
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#31 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C., Canada
Posts: 1,602
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Re: need front spring advice
Quote:
Can't wait to see the new stance ..... Have a good New Years (play safe) and an even better 2008. esll. ![]()
__________________
Tomorrow is for doing today's stuff. ![]() ************************************* This truck has just the right amount of energy for me! ![]() Author: Warren Lake .... (member) |
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#32 | |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
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Re: need front spring advice
Quote:
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__________________
69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
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#33 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 69
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Re: need front spring advice
just buy some lowering springs and shocks or lowering spindles and do it right, the ride quality will be worth it, and if you dont have the $150 to spend on it, you should rather be going to school geting a better job than worrying about lowering your truck now.
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#34 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: here
Posts: 5,789
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Re: need front spring advice
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#35 | |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
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Re: need front spring advice
Quote:
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__________________
69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
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#36 | |
just can't cover up my redneck
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Columbus OH
Posts: 11,414
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Re: need front spring advice
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#37 |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
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Re: need front spring advice
Ill take that under good advizment old man
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69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
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#38 |
just can't cover up my redneck
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Columbus OH
Posts: 11,414
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Re: need front spring advice
..........Now I gotta be "old", I thought that was Andy
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#39 |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
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Re: need front spring advice
Thats just "terms of indearment".....yea, maybe Andy is old, but not that old....I turned a 1/2 century last august.....crazyL
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69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
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#40 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 69
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Re: need front spring advice
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#41 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 69
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Re: need front spring advice
besides that he is 17yrs old, just giving him advice, since he is hopefully still in high school dont have to jump all over me
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#42 |
1972 Chevrolet SWB
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: FT Smith AR
Posts: 512
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Re: need front spring advice
Generally speaking removing one full round off the bottom of a coil (most coils) will net around a 2" drop roughly,and keep your alignment still obtainable. When you start removing more than one full coil you start maxing out the alignment being able to be placed in specs without using longer bolts for the upper a frames to accept thicker shim packs. Drop coils arent that expensive though and even spindles are getting fairly economical by some places.Rear coils on 67-72 trucks cant be trimmed really correctly since they are pig tailed on each end so back there blocks or shorter custom springs are an option.
Trimming coils for the desired ride height isnt a taboo thing,and like was said earlier even Foose or Boyd has trimmed a few coils in their life times. The key to a great ride is to pay close attention to bumpstop clearance and shock lengths. There is more to lowering that just wacking or heating springs otherwise your going to be like those local ricers you see who hit a bump and their heads go through the roof,and are very bouncy. If you pay attention tot he details like shocks and bumpstops along with your coils or leafs the ride can be just as nice as the stock truck was or even better. Here is my 5-8 slammed Dodge Ram on 305/40/22 tires which I was told could never be done. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
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My New thread with pics (not my build thread yet.) ![]() http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...46#post2573646 1972 Chevrolet 1/2 ton short wide bed,68 frt clip Project. 1980 Camaro Inherited when father passed,68K Miles 2003 Ford Mach1 FUN as Hell!! 2002 Dodge Ram 5-8 slam Rolling BillBoard (Gone not forgot) 2004 Dodge Ram HEMI 10" lifted on 37's and 2wd. Last edited by slammed1; 01-03-2008 at 01:25 AM. |
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#43 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: here
Posts: 5,789
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Re: need front spring advice
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#44 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 8
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I have worked as a front-end and suspension mechanic for two different major tire companies (Goodyear and Big O), and I have seen many different variations. The ONLY vehicles that I have come across that I could not align (due to modifications not a wreck/damage) are ones with hydraulics. They throw the specs way out and change the camber (the tilt of the top of the tire either inboard or outboard from the vehicle) totally depending on where they have the switches. I agree with the replies above, first and foremost BE CAREFUL. You can easily remove the front springs, just lift the vehicle and support it by the frame and then put a jack under the lower control arm and relieve the spring pressure slowly after you have popped the ball joint. Take any extra precautions you feel you need (like chaining the coil to the frame or control arm). Whatever makes you comfortable. If your springs are already sagging, that means they no longer are doing what they should, they are worn out. Try the Chilton repair manual for your truck, it will give you the ride-height specs and how to check them. If your ride height is off then it will give you a lot of insight. I agree that drop spindles would be the best way to go as they will not affect your alignment specs, but once again if the ride-height is off then you might want to replace the springs anyway. Some brand new lowering coils might be worth it just for the ride factor. Also don't forget to check your ball joints while you have the weight off of the lower control arms! I would check all of my steering parts (upper and lower ball joints, tie-rods (inner and outer), Idler, pitman and BUSHINGS! Don't forget the bushings. Checking these parts will save you a lot of hassle later on. Sorry for the length on this but I hope it helps.
Be safe.
__________________
Road_Rebel Cop-"Let me see your license." Me- "Isn't on the back bumper?" Cop-"You know why I pulled you over?" Me-"Does it have anything to do with the the smell of burnt rubber mixed with testosterone and adrenalin? Here's your sign." "Life's too short to take any crap off of anybody." ![]() 1970 C10 LongStep 292/4spd 1974 Monte Carlo 350/TH350 1979 Camaro 0/0 (soon to have 383/700R4) |
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#45 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 8
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Re: need front spring advice
One more note, if you cut TOO much off of the springs you will also not be able to get the alignment right and could very well run the risk of bottom out. Have a good new year
__________________
Road_Rebel Cop-"Let me see your license." Me- "Isn't on the back bumper?" Cop-"You know why I pulled you over?" Me-"Does it have anything to do with the the smell of burnt rubber mixed with testosterone and adrenalin? Here's your sign." "Life's too short to take any crap off of anybody." ![]() 1970 C10 LongStep 292/4spd 1974 Monte Carlo 350/TH350 1979 Camaro 0/0 (soon to have 383/700R4) |
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#46 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C., Canada
Posts: 1,602
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Re: need front spring advice
Cut do not heat a coil. Cut the coil from the top (pig tail end) so it will sit right leave the bottom alone.
It's interesting that a whole industry has growen from guys that like this look. I've never heard of any one dying or killing someone in their lowered death trap (just joking about "death trap") but thats how it's made to look. Now it's gone high tech and there is no room for the old school way which is still as good a way to lower ones ride as it was in the day. I wished I lived closer so you could go for a ride in my truck which cost me zero buck's to give it the stance that you all have seen in the pictures that I've posted. Wheel alignment no problem, computerized print out say's everything is great. esll. ![]()
__________________
Tomorrow is for doing today's stuff. ![]() ************************************* This truck has just the right amount of energy for me! ![]() Author: Warren Lake .... (member) |
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#47 |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
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Re: need front spring advice
Its my understanding, that you cut the BOTTOM of the coil & leave the pigtail alone at the top.....that way the spring stays where it belongs. crazyL
__________________
69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
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#48 |
1972 Chevrolet SWB
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: FT Smith AR
Posts: 512
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Re: need front spring advice
It really all depends on how the upper part of the coil and mount is designed compared to the lower part of the coil and mount..........it is on some vehicles better to cut the top and leave the bottom alone but on others cutting the bottom is better..........so its best to take each one individually and see what works best before cutting. I still myself never cut more than one full round unless I need a little extra.
__________________
My New thread with pics (not my build thread yet.) ![]() http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...46#post2573646 1972 Chevrolet 1/2 ton short wide bed,68 frt clip Project. 1980 Camaro Inherited when father passed,68K Miles 2003 Ford Mach1 FUN as Hell!! 2002 Dodge Ram 5-8 slam Rolling BillBoard (Gone not forgot) 2004 Dodge Ram HEMI 10" lifted on 37's and 2wd. |
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#49 |
laying low
![]() Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 13,267
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Re: need front spring advice
I believe several have said cutting 1 full coil off the front coils will normally net you about a 2" drop. Is that about right? So what is the most preferred method of cutting the coil? Torch or cutoff wheel maybe?
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Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross |
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#50 | |
1969 Short, Fleet, and Beat
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Long Beach, Ca.
Posts: 867
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Re: need front spring advice
Quote:
I am having difficulty picturing how you can cut the rear coils as they are tapered. I would like to see pictures of them installed. I think it is impossible. Last edited by huero; 01-04-2008 at 07:57 PM. |
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