Cutting front coil springs 72 1/2 Ton

[Hawker7]

I took my front coil spring out this afternoon and would like to cut it so the truck will sit 1 inch lower in the front. The top of the coil spring seems to have a smaller top coil as it sits on a bump on the top a-arm so I assume I don't cut that side. I'm I to cut the bottom coil? If so, how much to equal on 1" of drop? It also seems that the bottom coil sits flat and if I cut anything off it won't be flat again. Don't know if that makes sense or not?? Attached is a picture of the bottom coil.

[hatchaddict]

why would you cut the coil that is so half assed and its not gonna sit right cause you cutting the seal off. if you want a temporary drop till you get you drop springs the juack it up and set the front tires on cinder blocks and heat the spring with a torch till you get it to were you want it but this is also half assed but better then cutting.

this is my opinion so dont get mad cause i dont like what you want to do and i would never do this

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by hatchaddict

.... this is my opinion so dont get mad cause i dont like what you want to do and i would never do this

Unfortunately it is a misinformed opinion.

There is nothing wrong with cutting the spring as long as you don't use excessive heat. I recommend a cut of wheel on a high speed air grinder.

[Hawker7]

Well, I took both out and cut one coil and it sits exactly how I wanted it. Took it for a drive and it drives great. Thanks for all the advice. Was a really easy project.

[Hair]

I know you're done with it now, but I don't think anyone on here answered your question.

Yes the last coil is flat and different and when you cut a coil off it will not set back in there exactly as it is supposed to. However, that is how we do it and cutting is the best and cheapest and it works okay.

The trick is to cut them as fast as you can and allow the least amount of het as possible. The heat is the problem because it can possible mess-up the strength and function of your springs.

Yes, it is best to buy springs that are custom made, but that is not the cheapest and easiest way and in most cases it not worth the hassel.

If you have money then I'd recommend drop spindles above all. Shorter springs and cut springs never fit or ride as good as the oringinal ones.

Another thing that I hate about the shortened springs, is that you can jack you truck up off the ground and they will practically fall out. You have to hold them in the right place as you lower your truck back down to make sure that they seat properly.

I went with the custom lowered spring route on my truck, but if I had it to do over I'd go with drop spindles.

[Test Pilot]

Originally Posted by Hawker7

Well, I took both out and cut one coil and it sits exactly how I wanted it. Took it for a drive and it drives great. Thanks for all the advice. Was a really easy project.

Glad it worked out for you, turns out we aren't far from each other, I'm up near Hillsborough.
You didn't happen to measure the free length of the coil before you cut it did you? I'm curious as I need to get springs for my truck soon and I'd like to get a little firm rate than what is offered by the aftermarket suppliers. Stock car part companies sell springs in a variety of sizes ans rates and are just a tick over 100 for a pair.
Thanks.
Do you have any pics of the finished product?

[Hawker7]

Originally Posted by Test Pilot

Glad it worked out for you, turns out we aren't far from each other, I'm up near Hillsborough.
You didn't happen to measure the free length of the coil before you cut it did you? I'm curious as I need to get springs for my truck soon and I'd like to get a little firm rate than what is offered by the aftermarket suppliers. Stock car part companies sell springs in a variety of sizes ans rates and are just a tick over 100 for a pair.
Thanks.
Do you have any pics of the finished product?

13 1/2" before I cut them..Will try to get some pics this week on how it turned out.

[hatchaddict]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Unfortunately it is a misinformed opinion.

There is nothing wrong with cutting the spring as long as you don't use excessive heat. I recommend a cut of wheel on a high speed air grinder.

as i stated its my opinion. im not saying that ive never cut coils before cause i have many times but its not the right way to do the job thats all i was getting at

[Sinister]

Plenty of people cut front springs, it's better then heating them.

[Leviticus]

Hawker7,

With how cheap drop springs are, you are better off just buying a new set. But if you do cut or heat them, just be sure they are correct and safe. For the amount of time and effort you will put into heating or cutting, you might as well get some new ones.

Good luck with the project, some guys will chime in on the subject I am sure, a lot of us just like to do things a certain way, which we think is right.

[junkman]

I usually just cut them straight up 1 coil at a time to get it where you want. This will keep the spring clocked against the notch in the control arm, (if you have it). I'd recommend a cutoff wheel in a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder, will cut right through it. I'm sure you will get some haters, but people have been doing it for years, and I really don't see any reason not to. Is def a better idea than heating. It's aggravating buying a new set of springs, getting it together and it not sitting where you want it.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by junkman

I usually just cut them straight up 1 coil at a time to get it where you want. This will keep the spring clocked against the notch in the control arm, (if you have it). I'd recommend a cutoff wheel in a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder, will cut right through it. I'm sure you will get some haters, but people have been doing it for years, and I really don't see any reason not to. Is def a better idea than heating. It's aggravating buying a new set of springs, getting it together and it not sitting where you want it.

x 2. Cut them, don't heat them.

[N2TRUX]

If you don't heat them up while cutting them it has no adverse effect on the spring. Consequently, I see nothing wrong with this option.

Heating the springs till they collapse is something I would never do, nor suggest. The results can be catasrophic.

[ace of shades]

I cut a coil out of my springs and it dropped around 2 inches. Heating is basically not an option. Unless your grate at it it's hard to get them even, not to mention the fact that it weakens the sh*t out of them. I don't remember what end we cut from, I *think* it was the top end that way it would sit in the cup correctly

we cut mine with

[Test Pilot]

http://www.eatonsprings.com/atqCutti...lculations.htm

The above link has a little tech on the subject.

[big_al_71]

cut it 1/2 a coil....

[oldblue1968chevy]

How much drop do ya get with X amount of coil cut off. I may be doing something like this in the future.

[ohsocountry86]

I was wondering same thing and also how many can you cut off before something starts rubbing or getting screwed up

[Jeffs70]

Originally Posted by ohsocountry86

I was wondering same thing and also how many can you cut off before something starts rubbing or getting screwed up

I did a test on my 70 c10 SWB, I only performed this test known I was going to replace parts any how but wanted to see ahead of time what type of drop I wanted on the front of my truck. I started out by removing my coil springs and cutting 1 coil off at a time till i got to about 3 1/2 coils off each spring which was about 6" drop, I then had to remove the bump stops by using an air chisel to knock the spot welds off the lower control arm from the bump stop towers. as I then had moved the sway bar up closer to the frame and other then that I had no issues rather then a bumpier ride. Nothing rubbed after this not even while steering. but as I said before this was just a test and It came out looking good if you like a really low ride with out bags.

These are a few pictures of the lowest I got it with around 2 1/2" Clearance to the ground

[70c10]

Used a cutoff tool and removed 90% of one coil and got close between 2-2.5" drop. Here's a before pic of my truck with just the 2.5" drop spindles and than an after pic showing the extra drop from cutting the coils.

[ace of shades]

Like I said before, we cut one coil off and it dropped about 2 inches. We just eye-balled it and came out as close to a full coil as you could get - thank the gods of luck on that one. But that doesn't mean a half a coil will drop it an inch. Plus it all depends on how wore down your springs are.

The one thing I do have to say is that when you're done take it in and have it aligned. I didn't have mine done for 2 month of daily driving. I checked my tires all the time and didn't go anywhere but to work. It didn't eat the tires up *too* bad but it drives so much better now that they point and sit where they are supposed to. Go figue

[69 longhorn]

Dont worry about heat, toss that spring upside down in a bucket of water, then torch 1 full ring off the bottom. After it all settles, you are looking @ tween 2 & 3 " drop. Dont be tempted to go more than that, & DO cut the f ...ing bump stops off the lower arms. If you are into the fab world, do a set of top brackets for the shocks(to run stock lenght). Nothing wrong with cutting coils(DO NOT HEAT THEM FOR THE DROP THO!) My old longhorn has run 10,000 miles on chopped coils, with no issues, & I have run that boich damn next to 140 on the open road(IL state patrol....catch me if you can!) When Im in overdrive, I am only turnin 3100 @ 105! Smart azz right? If I was afraid of what I set up, trust me I would not run it that hard I am not one DAMN bit scared of the chopped coils in my old truck. crazyAL

[ace of shades]

Originally Posted by 69 longhorn

..... Nothing wrong with cutting coils(DO NOT HEAT THEM FOR THE DROP THO!) .....

That's what I meant. I had a lot of people tell me to do that for back because of the taper at both ends. I still really wouldn't trust torching a coil off, but hell, If its what you got, you prep it right, and you don't throw them in and go balls out right out of the gate there shouldn't be anything wrong with it.

On a side note, don't worry about the loud bang when the springs seat themselves again and also, adjust your headlights. Going two inches down in the front, and then waiting for longer U bolts for the back was a long, dimly lit 2 weeks

[Shaffer4]

Sure, she sits pretty...


But if had known I had been riding on the spring on the right, I don't think I would have done the things I've done with that truck... like drag racing at the track, or speeds over 20, for that matter...



Say no to heat, baby.

[jdstx]

I read a magazine article about this years ago. Road race builders would use big block springs and remove coils to bring the ride height back down. The article stated that removing coils increased the stiffness of the spring. Leave it to racers to find a cheap way to achieve performance.