Poor mans drop

[allen123]

I have heard of using monte carlo springs, jeep springs, and chevelle springs is there any other cheap ways to lower my truck? Im sure later on I'll prob get a static drop kit but I want something cheap for now

[DZL1]

Cut or heat the springs. Its not the right way to do it but it sure is cheap. Considering you have the right tools to do it, It will only cost you your hard work. Hope this helps.

DZL1.

[allen123]

How hard is it to cut the fronts? And is it hard to get the rears even?

[Skirkpat]

Originally Posted by DZL1

Cut or heat the springs. Its not the right way to do it but it sure is cheap. Considering you have the right tools to do it, It will only cost you your hard work. Hope this helps.

DZL1.

Not a good thin to do, it will ride like Sh@#. and is not safe t

[Chevymann1968]

Originally Posted by Skirkpat

Not a good thin to do, it will ride like Sh@#. and is not safe t

If you do it correctly it wont hurt i rode arond with heated springs for years!!!! And my truck still had a good ride!!! All you have to do is not heat the spring in the middle but on the bottom and do it really slow!!!! That is the Key!!!!

[STOCKISH]

You can buy drop springs cheap. I've seen them on here for $40. If you are going to do it, might as well do it right. Besides, $40 is pretty darn cheap.

[Longhorn Man]

nothing wrong with cutting the fronts. Don't take out too much, but it's oK. Ride will suffer, but it isn't as bad as some will have you believe.
heating the rear is OK, but not prefered.
Some will tell you how they will shatter or ride like crap, or what ever.

They were doing this to coils untill the 80's when they started making drop coils.
it isn't prefered, but it isn't gonna be as bad as most want you to think.

[Chevymann1968]

I agree with longhornman
!!!

[Skirkpat]

We did it in the 80's, to get enough drop, you have to heat more than just 1 or 2 coils, it takes the temper out and they ride like crap in my opinion, some guys do it, that is true, but I like cars that are done right. I guess that comes from being a Tool and Die maker , ride is subjective ,I thought my air shocks filled so the back of my Chevelle would clear 50 series tires rode well also, but that didn't make it true?

[Joe67]

Originally Posted by 1972SuperCheyenne

You can buy drop springs cheap. I've seen them on here for $40. If you are going to do it, might as well do it right. Besides, $40 is pretty darn cheap.

x2 Technology has come a long way. Spend the $$ and keep it safe and comfortable

[Skirkpat]

Originally Posted by Joe67

x2 Technology has come a long way. Spend the $$ and keep it safe and comfortable

You are a wise man Joe,

[jholley]

Cutting the fronts is easy and safe. Your biggest concern is not cutting out too much. Start with half a coil. When you get past a coil the difference starts to change drastically. I don't think you can cut the rears because of the way they are shaped and how they bolt on the tops and bottoms. You would have to heat them. Worst case you end up buying a full set of springs that can be had for under $200.

[Shane]

Cut one round off the fronts ... you'll be fine plus you'll save some cash. I have some Chevelle springs I'll work with you on for the rear if you are interested. PM me if so.

[Spray-Bomb]

Im with Andy, its been done forever & Ive never had a problem with heating & cutting

[au03z71]

I hate to play devil's advocate, but when I hear "cheap" and "drop" when pertaining to suspension alteration, it makes me cringe. I'd err on the side of safety, save up some cash and do it right... not meaning to offend anyone.

[crazy longhorn]

If you cut 1 full round off the front, you are looking @ 2 1/2-3 " drop......do a 2 1/2 " block rear & a set of U bolts.....you will be pushin "scrubline issues" on the block with a 15" wheel tho.... crazyL

[67slammer]

I think you are better off cutting coils than heating them. cutting them wont take the temper out of them. besides chip foose cuts coils on overhaulin every day good luck and dont forget to post picks of the before and after.

[allen123]

Thanks for the tips guys Can anyone give me some tips on heating the coils

[Shane]

yeah, don't do it ... cut them

[Skirkpat]

Originally Posted by Shane

yeah, don't do it ... cut them

Listen to this guy, it is a bad Idea to heat them !!

Look at the parts section, there is a set of lowering spindles, with roters and calipers, for 75.00...That is the right way. Factory ride and suspension geometry (cutting or heating screws up camber angles) and if you drive much, your savings in tires will pay for it!

[N2TRUX]

Just because "they have been doing it for years" doesn't make it any better.

DO NOT heat springs to obtain drop. While I don't think they will ever shatter, I do know that heating will weaken the tempering of the spring and they will sag.

Cutting a spring is a much more effective way, and can be done by many methods, even a cutting torch when done properly

Hmm, does that sound like I just contradicted myself? No, I said "done properly". If you control the heat by submerging the spring in a bucket of water and cut off no mare than one coil, you will have a "cheap" drop that won't sag.


Rear coils (67-72) can't be cut due the pigtail design. As mentioned there are cheap options here that are much better than heating the coils...

[386kustoms]

id put some g-body springs in the rear like the 86 regal. they have the same shape and will lower close to 2 inches in the rear maybe more depending how much youre rear springs are wore. reason i know this is i have a grand national and i put the lowering springs in it, had a stock used pair laying around and threw them on the rear of a 68 i had. plus you can go to any u-pull it yard and find a regal or monte there and prob spend 20 bucks for the rear springs. and just cut the front 1 coil

[bird7263]

I agree.. Never heat.. As far as the rear goes..Before I did my 9 inch static drop, I did a 2006 Jeep TJ spring in the rear.. The rear jeep springs fit perfect. I did the springs and a three inch drop block and got a total of 5 inches in the rear.. Rode super smooth and nice. The springs were free. I just went to my local 4wheel drive shop and dug a pair out of the garbage.. Most of the 4wheel drive places just pitch them out..

In the front it cut about 3/4 of a coil off the bottom.. got about 2 inches out of the front..I went for the tail dragger look.. Cant stand the rear higher but that is just me. I would not cut much more than the out.. The right thing is to buy drop coils or take measurements of your stock coil or take it with you to your local wrecking yard and find something for the front.. out of a g body or some random ride that might fit..

I did my whole lowering kit for about $100.. Now I am c notched and am way lower. but the jeep springs worked for a while before I did my kit alot lower

[allen123]

So any jeep springs will work?
because my friends has a bunch of jeeps

[bird7263]

I am not much of a Mopar guy.. Dont know jeeps very well.. But I would think that new style TJ aka new Wranglers that have Coils on all 4 corners will work.. The rear jeep springs are pig tailed at each end and fit perfect into your stock spring retainers.. I got the info on the jeep springs from someone on here.. It worked great for me.. Now I have switched over to a 5 inch drop spring with a 3 inch block and some added weight to give me about 9 in the rear..


But check out the jeep springs. they worked great and are cheap or free..