OLD vs NEW coil springs (chopped)

[sactoC10]

OK, part II of my holiday weekend drama. I decided to install my lowering spindles and chop a coil off my stock springs for a 3.5-4" drop. I easily had 6" of room or more. The old stock springs had a different idea and when I lowered it off the jacks, it was riding about 3/4" from the fender and of course rubbed. It looked pretty cool, but sounded like hell. Thus I needed a fix.

Yesterday I bought a set of 80's coil spings, put them in last night and now the truck is about 3" taller than I want it to be. So what's the deal here. The springs were identical in size (except for the chopped coil)...but the new (newer) ones just seemed to be stiffer and stronger.

I'm thinking of going back to square one and chopping a coil off these springs, which should not sag like the other ones did. Anyone have any comments about this?

And yes, I know that I can get a pair of drop coils for about $110, just don't want to do that (yet).

[smokekiki]

I don't know how much drop you are going to get by cutting the coil.Are they new springs?If you got them cheap try it again.If you want new springs summit has them for around $85.Listed for 73-90 under truck parts.

[sactoC10]

I chopped the 30 year old springs originally and those are the ones that sagged. I'm only looking for 1-1.5" with the spring drop. The ones I put in yesterday are about 14 years old from a Chevy van...probably won't sag nearly as much. I'm still shocked at how far the original sprinsg sank. Thanks

[ucmydust68]

dont cut an entire coil off start with half, until you get the drop you want. one full coil will drop it alot as you found out

[sactoC10]

Yeah, I did... and I don't get it. I've chopped coils before on other vehicles, but never with such a dramatic result. I was thinking about cutting have, but was not sure if the postion that the spring "seats" on the top end would be a problem.

Guess your telling me it won't. That is good to know. Can't do it tonight...tomorrow it will get done for sure.

[crazy longhorn]

I chopped a new set of coils for my longhorn(1/2 ton parts, for the 69). 1 full ring showed me a 3" drop.....to get them to seat properly top & bottom, you should cut 1 full ring .If you need less drop, you would be better off ordering a set with 1 1/2 or 2 " drop. good luck,crazyL

[70c10]

Smokekiki, 73-90 springs are a direct fit for us?

[smokekiki]

70c10,I got my info from TX FIREFIGHTER in this thread.I ordered a 2"drop spring yesterday.http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=65962

[sactoC10]

When I was picking up my replacement springs at the local salvage yard, they actually had a note on file that there are some applications even later than 87 with springs that still fit, such as springs from 88-90 Chevy vans. The ones I ended up with are from such a van, 5 lug.

[smokekiki]

Thanks sacto,thats good to know.

[Tx Firefighter]

Trucks through 87 and Suburbans through 91 for sure.

Another big secret......73-87 front sway bars off a 3/4 ton are 1 1/4 inch and they bolt on to the 67-72 trucks. Big ol cheap swaybars right down at the local junkyard. Save your money on the aftermarket ones. Then go to the local parts store and buy two MOOG part number K6476. They are urethane sway bar bushings (blue colored).

For a total of 50, you should be able to get a used bar at the junkyard and the new urethane bushings too. Clean the bar up real nice, new paint, and new urethane bushings. You have the big high performance sway bar for about 1/3 of a new mail order one.

Send the money you saved to Tx Firefighter.......

[Tx Firefighter]

forgot the pic. Any old parts store that sells Moog can get you these. They cost me 11.00 a box, you need two boxes for a complete swaybar.

[Hotrod70C10]

Thanks alot Tx Firefighter! I've been getting ready to dig around town and find a sway bar. Thanks again!