dropped springs/ bumpstops

[jonzcustomshop]

I am using a 73-87 front suspension, I have ordered 3 inch dropped coil springs, will I have to trim these bumpstops, or just remove them?

...also what is involved in pulling the upper and lower a arm bushings?

[Rannos]

I removed mine but I went with 2.5 spindles and left the old sagging springs in the front. Never had a problem with them removed but i try my best to only drive it on nice straight smooth concrete.

[Slambone]

I removed the rubber part and cut off the whole bracket. I have 3" drop springs and I cut a coil and a half off. Still have plenty of travel

[53Sparky]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

I am using a 73-87 front suspension, I have ordered 3 inch dropped coil springs, will I have to trim these bumpstops, or just remove them?

I removed the bumpstops altogether including the bracket. I think there are 4 spot welds holding the bracket to the LCA. If you drill the welds for the bracket about half way through, you won't affect the integrity of the LCA, and you can pop the rest off with a cold chisel.

Originally Posted by jonzustomshop

...also what is involved in pulling the upper and lower a arm bushings?

I used a 1/4" drill bit to eat away the rubber bushing and then pressed the metal part of the bushing out of the LCA with some heat from my propane torch and a combination of parts from my ball joint press kit and my vise. It takes about 15-20 minutes per bushing unless they're completely shot, in which case it's easier.

[Evoracer]

I cut out the bump stop, but left the steering stop portion.

[bcontractor]

i have stock 66 arms and '73 + 2.5" dropped spindles w/ ball joints, without springs the x-cross member is on the ground, the tires measure about 25" tall ...you really dont need to cut or remove anything with this set up.[ not even the rubber stops!]..I measure the compressed spring height as it sits on the ground is aprx 8" max compressed, the springs need to be aprx min of 11 1/4" tall so the springs dont fall out of the puckets when the truck is lifted up on a jack.....
I am going to get some performance springs with aprx 3" drop if the truck wont be in the weeds....I will be running 20" wheels to help get it off the weeds....more on that later....i not sure why i can post pics.....grrrr

[bcontractor]

hers it is..

[jonzcustomshop]

thanks for all the posts, this is helping... keep 'em coming with ideas!

I didn't realize that they were steering stops too... what's the danger of removing the steering stops, my 63 has a 73-87 front end in it, and has what I would call "no" turning radius

[donthekawguy]

I always start by cutting the bump stop in half. I would rather have a litle in there than none at all.

[earl84]

I had 2 inch drop springs in my 66 C20 with a 79 front crossmember swap. It also had a 454 in it, so the front is a little heavier than stock, although I don't really know how much heavier. Anyway, I first removed the rubber and left the metal portion of the bumpstop. I would bottom out faiirly easily on the bumpstop. Trimmed it to only leave enough for a steering stop, and I no longer bottom out. Planned to get a smaller bumpstop, but haven't done it in 3 months, and haven't bottomed out anymore, so the smaller bumpstops has sort of fallen to the bottom of my to-do list.

[tinydb84]

I used an air chisel to pop the bump/steering stops right off.

The bushings were hell for me. There are two types you can get. One is just the poly bushing and the other has the shell. I went with just the bushing as I didn't want to mess up the arm pressing them in and out.

I used a drill bit to drill out the old rubber in a ton of places then drove the shaft out. Most people burn the rubber out but I live in the city and I am sure someone would have called 911 from the smoke and smell.