Front lowering spring option

[ga-stepside]

I added some 1” lowering blocks to the rear trying to get the stance better and more level. I like the way the rear looks but now I think the front is a little too high. I have 2.5” drop spindles on the front and what I assume are stock springs and shocks. It is hard to tell from this picture but I think if I add 1 inch lowering front springs I will be where I want to be. The other option is cutting the springs. I have never cut a spring so I have no clue how much to cut off to achieve a 1 inch drop. Any help would be appreciated.

[Boog]

Cutting 1 full round off the bottom of the spring generally nets you a 2" drop. So cutting 1/2 round should net you approximately 1" drop. I used a 4 1/2" grinder to cut mine.

[jcwren]

Your '67 has leaf springs? Or am I mistaken in that you can't use lowering blocks with coil springs?

[nds1968]

If the springs are original they may be sagging down an inch already. That's the not so fun part of figuring it out. So one inch lower springs may not change anything... But how do know.

Originally Posted by ga-stepside

I added some 1” lowering blocks to the rear trying to get the stance better and more level. I like the way the rear looks but now I think the front is a little too high. I have 2.5” drop spindles on the front and what I assume are stock springs and shocks. It is hard to tell from this picture but I think if I add 1 inch lowering front springs I will be where I want to be. The other option is cutting the springs. I have never cut a spring so I have no clue how much to cut off to achieve a 1 inch drop. Any help would be appreciated.

You can use blocks in between the rear end and trailing arms.

Originally Posted by jcwren

Your '67 has leaf springs? Or am I mistaken in that you can't use lowering blocks with coil springs?

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by jcwren

Your '67 has leaf springs? Or am I mistaken in that you can't use lowering blocks with coil springs?

With coil rear springs, lowering blocks can be added between the trailing arm and rear housing.. I lowered the rear of my '71 3 inches using that method..

[ga-stepside]

Originally Posted by nds1968

If the springs are original they may be sagging down an inch already. That's the not so fun part of figuring it out. So one inch lower springs may not change anything... But how do know.

Yeah I know that is a concern. But this truck was "refurbed" only a few years ago so I'm hoping that won't be an issue.

[ga-stepside]

Originally Posted by Boog

Cutting 1 full round off the bottom of the spring generally nets you a 2" drop. So cutting 1/2 round should net you approximately 1" drop. I used a 4 1/2" grinder to cut mine.

If I only cut off a 1/2 round will that mess up how the springs sit on that control arms? New territory for me.

[Boog]

No. The spring will still index the lower control arm in the same spot. Nothing to it.

[ga-stepside]

Originally Posted by Boog

No. The spring will still index the lower control arm in the same spot. Nothing to it.

Thanks. I had read about the spring sitting with the nub in a certain position. Just watched a video and they explained that it sits on the lower control arm and the top of the spring just sits in a cup. So I assume you make the cut on the top of the spring. Shoot, maybe I'll give this a shot, the stock spring will probably end up a throw away anyway, nothing to lose but time.

[ga-stepside]

Originally Posted by jcwren

Your '67 has leaf springs? Or am I mistaken in that you can't use lowering blocks with coil springs?

Yeah you are mistaken, LOL. I have coils.

[Mike C]

If you will look on YouTube you will find some videos that show how to use a tape measure to more accurate cut the coil spring. It depends on how the end wrap is done on the spring to how much the first half coil lowers the vehicle versus the second.

Just start small...

[ga-stepside]

Originally Posted by Mike C

If you will look on YouTube you will find some videos that show how to use a tape measure to more accurate cut the coil spring. It depends on how the end wrap is done on the spring to how much the first half coil lowers the vehicle versus the second.

Just start small...

Cool. Just watched the video. Seems pretty straight forward. The part about bending the spring seems intimidating, I don't have anything to do that with. But I have friends with torches if I need to do it. Do you think that is really necessary?

[Mike C]

You don't need to bend the spring on a Chevy truck, one end is flattened that goes up, and the end that goes into the A-arm you can just cut to desired length.

[ga-stepside]

Originally Posted by Mike C

You don't need to bend the spring on a Chevy truck, one end is flattened that goes up, and the end that goes into the A-arm you can just cut to desired length.

Okay! I was thinking you cut the top. Thanks for that infomation

[ga-stepside]

Well I chickened out on cutting the springs. But it looks like I will be doing it anyway. Turns out I got caught in the sagging spring thing. As stated before a 1" lowering spring may actually raise the truck, that happen to me, raised it 3/4". So I am going to cut the old springs and see what happens. BTW swapping the springs was a totally uneventful project. I bought one of these from Harbor freight for the tie rod and upper ball joint removal, awesome tool.https://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-qu...tor-99849.html

[RustyBucket]

Originally Posted by ga-stepside

I added some 1” lowering blocks to the rear trying to get the stance better and more level. I like the way the rear looks but now I think the front is a little too high. I have 2.5” drop spindles on the front and what I assume are stock springs and shocks. It is hard to tell from this picture but I think if I add 1 inch lowering front springs I will be where I want to be.

Similar story on my GMC stepside..... 4" springs in the rear, 2.5 spindles front, I put 1" blocks in rear AND THOUGHT THE FRONT WAS A LITTLE TOO HIGH. I cut 1 coil off the old original front springs. I guess I'm satisfied, or too lazy to mess with it any more. Feels a little bouncy/choppy in the front I think. Installed new stock length shocks that didn't seem to help much.

[ga-stepside]

Originally Posted by RustyBucket

Similar story on my GMC stepside..... 4" springs in the rear, 2.5 spindles front, I put 1" blocks in rear AND THOUGHT THE FRONT WAS A LITTLE TOO HIGH. I cut 1 coil off the old original front springs. I guess I'm satisfied, or too lazy to mess with it any more. Feels a little bouncy/choppy in the front I think. Installed new stock length shocks that didn't seem to help much.

Nice truck. I am going to cut the stock springs tomorrow. I did get Belltech lowering shocks for both the front and rear.

[ga-stepside]

Well I am declaring victory. I should have listened to y'all about cutting the stock springs. I measured for a 1" cut and did the cutting with my 4 1/2 cut-off. The result was exactly what I was hoping for. Live and learn, anybody want a set of brand new Belltech 1" front lowering springs?

[Boog]

Looks good too.

[ga-stepside]

Originally Posted by Boog

Looks good too.

Thanks.
BTW you might try some shock designed for lowered suspension to help that bouncy/choppy feel. I used Belltech Street Performance S2208 on the rear and 2103HA on the front. Expensive but really awesome shocks.