I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

stomper · 02-25-2013, 12:07 AM

From what I learned on the board, I did this to get a 2" drop. The lower rubber bumper is barely touching the cross member. Front fenders and hood are not installed in this photo.

Can I just trim the bumper and be alright? ...or I have another set of springs I can try again.

oldspowered67C10 · 02-25-2013, 03:26 AM

Just trim it.

midniteblues · 02-25-2013, 08:10 AM

that looks pretty close you can trim the stop and try it out. hard turns and corners are where it might bottom out but you wont know till you try it
did you do anything with your shocks as they might hit before the bump stop

stomper · 02-25-2013, 02:40 PM

I should add... The monroe sens-a-trac shocks have some travel left, the upper ball joint is not at it's limit yet, brake hoses have slack, and the springs stay in when I jack up the crossmember with the wheels off the ground. Hopefully it will align. Am I missing anything?

I don't recall the 2" drop springs in my other truck being this low. Maybe I ended up with 3"? I didn't measure it before because I'm changing so many things it's sort of a moot point.

Xeen · 02-25-2013, 04:00 PM

A 2" drop in the front is as far as you can go with stock spindles before the alignment is unreconciable so you better hope it didnt lower it more than that, keep in mind if those are the original springs they could be worn out causing it to drop more than expected.

**LEEVON** · 02-25-2013, 05:34 PM

That doesn't look too bad, the lower arms still appear relatively flat. Just trim the bumpstop and get it aligned and go from there. My truck is even lower and it aligned fine, just a couple extra shims up top.

**CC69Rat** · 02-25-2013, 06:31 PM

Trim it or change to the flat round type bump stops maybe? I think youll be fine.

When one coil is cut you not only lose the length of the spring compared to stock but you also cut out that much spring tension. So.. it drops more than just the height of one unsprung coil.
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Square_78 · 02-25-2013, 08:12 PM

You can probably just take the bump stops right out or cut them down. I wouldnt worry about the front shocks, they should be fine at that height and shouldnt bottom out.

turp mcspray · 02-25-2013, 10:28 PM

I cut 2 coils out of a 67 I owned years ago. I had to remove the bump stop, and then remove the metal mount with a hacksaw, because it dropped WAY more than I expected. Someone had told me that they cut theirs 1 3/4 coils, so I figured I would go a tad more. He later said he was mistaken, and that he had cut 1 1/4 coils. Live and learn. LOL!

**CC69Rat** · 02-25-2013, 10:42 PM

I have some stock coils, if you decide you need them they can be yours for the shipping costs. My zip is 37379, .. just whatever it takes to get them to you.
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**DANTIP** · 02-26-2013, 07:55 AM

You could install air springs inside the coil and dial in your height. If I was going to drop the front with springs I'd try to do what you did knowing I can tune the height with the air springs.

Gumby · 02-26-2013, 08:05 AM

^ bags are very cheap too, its the built in compressors n fancy switchs that cost. drive it like a old school hotrod with airshocks, stop at a gas station for air when you need to raise it

till you can spend $$$ on auto controls.

**CC69Rat** · 02-26-2013, 08:44 AM

Its probably toe'd in just a little too now that the spring is shorter. Did you adjust the tie rod ends?
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stomper · 02-27-2013, 07:59 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to trim the bump stop and go with it.
Posted via Mobile Device

02-25-2013, 12:07 AM	#1
stomper Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,700	I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? From what I learned on the board, I did this to get a 2" drop. The lower rubber bumper is barely touching the cross member. Front fenders and hood are not installed in this photo. Can I just trim the bumper and be alright? ...or I have another set of springs I can try again. Attached Images __________________ "I was patina when patina wasn't cool." 1973 Cheyenne SWB Sunset Gold / Frost White / Saddle Last edited by stomper; 02-25-2013 at 12:12 AM.

02-25-2013, 03:26 AM	#2
oldspowered67C10 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cherry Valley,Ca Posts: 468	Re: I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? Just trim it.

02-25-2013, 08:10 AM	#3
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,394	Re: I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? that looks pretty close you can trim the stop and try it out. hard turns and corners are where it might bottom out but you wont know till you try it did you do anything with your shocks as they might hit before the bump stop __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

02-25-2013, 02:40 PM	#4
stomper Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,700	Re: I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? I should add... The monroe sens-a-trac shocks have some travel left, the upper ball joint is not at it's limit yet, brake hoses have slack, and the springs stay in when I jack up the crossmember with the wheels off the ground. Hopefully it will align. Am I missing anything? I don't recall the 2" drop springs in my other truck being this low. Maybe I ended up with 3"? I didn't measure it before because I'm changing so many things it's sort of a moot point. __________________ "I was patina when patina wasn't cool." 1973 Cheyenne SWB Sunset Gold / Frost White / Saddle

02-25-2013, 04:00 PM	#5
Xeen Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Topeka Kansas Posts: 2,655	Re: I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? A 2" drop in the front is as far as you can go with stock spindles before the alignment is unreconciable so you better hope it didnt lower it more than that, keep in mind if those are the original springs they could be worn out causing it to drop more than expected. __________________ Please call me Brian. Check out My 1972 SWB Fleetside 5.3L Vortec Restomod Build

02-25-2013, 05:34 PM	#6
LEEVON Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,887	Re: I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? That doesn't look too bad, the lower arms still appear relatively flat. Just trim the bumpstop and get it aligned and go from there. My truck is even lower and it aligned fine, just a couple extra shims up top. __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

02-25-2013, 06:31 PM	#7
CC69Rat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 6,206	Re: I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? Trim it or change to the flat round type bump stops maybe? I think youll be fine. When one coil is cut you not only lose the length of the spring compared to stock but you also cut out that much spring tension. So.. it drops more than just the height of one unsprung coil. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 Currently underway 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet Sold 1985 Silverado Short Fleet Sold 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride)

02-25-2013, 08:12 PM	#8
Square_78 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada Posts: 1,237	Re: I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? You can probably just take the bump stops right out or cut them down. I wouldnt worry about the front shocks, they should be fine at that height and shouldnt bottom out. __________________ #teamlongbed "I refuse to go disc brakes. I actually love drum brakes. It makes for an adventure." - 50bomb 1978 Chevy shop truck - static 6/8" 1970 GMC 1500 - Accuair eLevel Resto-mod http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=537497

02-25-2013, 10:28 PM	#9
turp mcspray Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 2,359	Re: I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? I cut 2 coils out of a 67 I owned years ago. I had to remove the bump stop, and then remove the metal mount with a hacksaw, because it dropped WAY more than I expected. Someone had told me that they cut theirs 1 3/4 coils, so I figured I would go a tad more. He later said he was mistaken, and that he had cut 1 1/4 coils. Live and learn. LOL! __________________ Turp Mcspray New life for an old 2wd, farm blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505987 My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342299

02-25-2013, 10:42 PM	#10
CC69Rat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 6,206	Re: I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? I have some stock coils, if you decide you need them they can be yours for the shipping costs. My zip is 37379, .. just whatever it takes to get them to you. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 Currently underway 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet Sold 1985 Silverado Short Fleet Sold 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride)

02-26-2013, 07:55 AM	#11
DANTIP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Posts: 1,882	Re: I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? You could install air springs inside the coil and dial in your height. If I was going to drop the front with springs I'd try to do what you did knowing I can tune the height with the air springs.

02-26-2013, 08:05 AM	#12
Gumby Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NW-Ohio Posts: 2,525	Re: I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? ^ bags are very cheap too, its the built in compressors n fancy switchs that cost. drive it like a old school hotrod with airshocks, stop at a gas station for air when you need to raise it till you can spend $$$ on auto controls.

02-26-2013, 08:44 AM	#13
CC69Rat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 6,206	Re: I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? Its probably toe'd in just a little too now that the spring is shorter. Did you adjust the tie rod ends? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 Currently underway 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet Sold 1985 Silverado Short Fleet Sold 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride)

02-27-2013, 07:59 PM	#14
stomper Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,700	Re: I cut one coil - lower than I expected - OK? Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to trim the bump stop and go with it. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ "I was patina when patina wasn't cool." 1973 Cheyenne SWB Sunset Gold / Frost White / Saddle



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