how much to cut off the spring for 6" drop in the rear

[kell490]

I want to just cut my rear springs down when they say 6" drop do they just cut off 6" of spring when its un compressed. I figured that wasn't the case but after you load the spring up the truck will drop 6". I would like to know if anyone has cut there spring and how much did they cut off I dont want to take them off again after I cut them. The truck is a 67 shortbed. I put the 2 1/2 spindles/ and 2" drop srpings in the front.

[smbrouss70]

You can't cut the rear coil springs. (I'm assuming that's what you have) The top and bottom of the coils are pigtailed to allow them to be bolted to the frame and trailing arm. If you cut one end of it, they won't stay in place.

[jsbgump]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

You can't cut the rear coil springs. (I'm assuming that's what you have) The top and bottom of the coils are pigtailed to allow them to be bolted to the frame and trailing arm. If you cut one end of it, they won't stay in place.

[kell490]

Ill just buy some 6" drop springs only cost $114. Is it any better to use blocks and spring drop?

[SCOTI]

You can cut the rear springs if you can make a retainer to keep them from moving around. We did this on a couple of my buddies previous trucks when we were young guns.

That being said, we only did it because they didn't offer drop springs like what's available these days (back then, heating the coils was how most guys we knew dropped the rear). The trucks didn't ride good because most of the coils effectiveness was removed.

GMC Pauls has drop springs from 2-6" for less than $120. I prefer using lowering blocks to help maintain overall shock length, so I would do 4" spring + 2" blocks.

You could make the blocks pretty cheap (look in the FAQ section for the info) or if the budget is that tight, just go w/6" springs.

[BigTruckDriver]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

That being said, we only did it because they didn't offer drop springs like what's available these days (back then, heating the coils was how most guys we knew dropped the rear). The trucks didn't ride good because most of the coils effectiveness was removed.

Really !!!! Now I hate to see a lowered truck/vehicle drive bad.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by BigTruckDriver

Really !!!! Now I hate to see a lowered truck/vehicle drive bad.

????

[BigTruckDriver]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

????

I was just saying that I remember back in the day when this was pretty much the norm . Bad thing about it was that the truck would bounce off the street if you hit a bump. Now days most people still have the idea that if its lowered the ride is crap. If its lowered it should drive if not the same then better then before.

[project 67 sub]

I did it an did not make any retainers for the springs and they stay in place. but maybe its just cuz its a heavy ass suburban.

[milehightoyz]

Originally Posted by project 67 sub

I did it an did not make any retainers for the springs and they stay in place. but maybe its just cuz its a heavy ass suburban.
Attachment 263823

i dont understand how the spring can stay in place if either end was chopped unless you modified the cut spring somehow or the factory mount??? please explain....

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by milehightoyz

i dont understand how the spring can stay in place if either end was chopped unless you modified the cut spring somehow or the factory mount??? please explain....

The opposite end is bolted in to keep the spring from shifting. Suprisingly, when they are trimmed, there isn't a whole lot of movement going on (because of how short the spring is).

Is it safe? I doubt it.

On the first 69 my buddy had (that had the rear coils trimmed), the coils were actually welded to the trailing arms to make sure they didn't move. The 2nd 69 he had is where the 'cups' were made to keep the springs from moving.

[project 67 sub]

Originally Posted by milehightoyz

i dont understand how the spring can stay in place if either end was chopped unless you modified the cut spring somehow or the factory mount??? please explain....

I just bolted the bottom of the spring and mount to the trailing arm and left the frame sitting on the top of the spring.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by project 67 sub

I just bolted the bottom of the spring and mount to the trailing arm and left the frame sitting on the top of the spring.

How about some pics...

[milehightoyz]

Originally Posted by project 67 sub

I just bolted the bottom of the spring and mount to the trailing arm and left the frame sitting on the top of the spring.

ummmm cool, sounds neat.......

[bedsled71]

i just took mine out all the way and i duct taped a pillow between the axle and frame.. i think it would ride alot better if i got one of those good memory foam pillows though!!