Easy way to R&R front coil spring?

[MT71c-10]

Hey guys, I'm gonna pull the coils out of the front so I can cut them down to see what coil I need to buy.
So I'm thinking, I'm gonna chain the coil, pop the upper ball joint off, cut the coil, re-install coil, then, using a floor jack, lift the spindle onto the upper ball joint. Is this the best way?
Also I have 2'' drop pocket lwr control arms do you think 2 coils would be too much? I'm going to do 1 coil first and see where that gets me. As you can see I need at least 2'' off the stance.
Or is there a better way? Other than bags, I have very little in the project acct.

[Shane]

Jack up truck and support it on the frame rails with jack stands.

Place jack under lower control arm and jack up so spring pressure is supported by jack.

Loosen castle nut on LOWER ball joint - but do NOT remove it completely.

Hit the spindle on the lower ball joint boss with fairly large hammer to loosen the seated ball joint.

Once ball joint "pops" you can remove castle nut.

Slowly lower floor jack under lower control arm to gradually let pressure OFF spring.

Remove spring - cut - replace.

P.S. AWESOME lookin' truck!

[d10s69c10]

i see what you are getting at but we have options from stock to negative 4" springs for these trucks for about a 100 a piece... why wouldent you just get a -3 if you needed at least 2...


if not tho a spring compress tool is the best way to "safely" compress you spring to get it out.

I would take a measuring tape while the truck is on the ground and measure up 2 inches to get your "cut spot" on the springs.

i havent done this im just saying if i were gonna do it just on my thoughts that is how i would pick my stance.

[low64]

x2 what shane said

thats the way i do mine also. just dont let anyone stand next to the truck when doing so. place the jack under the a arm but stand in front of the head light. not in front of the spindle

[MT71c-10]

Originally Posted by low64

x2 what shane said

thats the way i do mine also. just dont let anyone stand next to the truck when doing so. place the jack under the a arm but stand in front of the head light. not in front of the spindle

yea I don't need to spend thanksgiving at the dentist!!


So I should do the bottom ball joint not the top. gotcha

I don't know if I have stock or -1 springs, but they will be replaced with new springs at some point. I don't have a spring compresser to use or borrow, but I think I will also put a tie down around it and tie it so it doesn't go too far, IF, it does.

Thanks for the compliment Shane, I still have lots to do on her untill she's "just right"

Thanks for the help guys.

[Shane]

For what it's worth, cutting one full round on the spring is usually good for 2"-2 1/2" .

Excellent idea on the tie down. Please be sure and post pics when your done.

[MT71c-10]

Originally Posted by Shane

For what it's worth, cutting one full round on the spring is usually good for 2"-2 1/2" .

Excellent idea on the tie down. Please be sure and post pics when your done.

Thats good to know! Thanks.

Well better safe than toothless, or have that spring bounce of the wall and scratch my baby!

Any one know a rough guess at what a stock spring measures, at a free length, I now it's hard to say with sag and all the other possibilites?

[cparman]

Shane is on it! Do your home work, and find the combination you want. Have it in front of you BEFORE you start

[FELON'S]

I cut one coil off my C-20 and then re-installed it. It was way too high. So the other side I cut 2 springs, way better. Then went back to the original and cut the remaining spring. BUT!! Without cutting the fist coil, I wouldnt have known, Its personal preferance....I also removed mine in the same manner shane explained, spring rolled right out in front of me....Its a shame though, 6 months later, Im now going to bags....hmmm...Maybe in 6 more months I'll tear it all down and c-notch....Oh-well, its fun anyway...

[cdowns]

no need whatsoever for a spring compressor to remove these springs

[N2TRUX]

If you cut them, make sure you let them settle in before you decide it's not enough. Unless the suspension is seated you might get a false reading. (voice of experience speaking)

[d10s69c10]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If you cut them, make sure you let them settle in before you decide it's not enough. Unless the suspension is seated you might get a false reading. (voice of experience speaking)

wow very good point! i had a Taco witht he fabtech fox coilovers a few years back like 14" of travel. it was horrible on jacks.

case and point being it was a 3.5" lift and when you jacked it up and let it down it looked like it was a 6" kit with horrible Camber.

[MT71c-10]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If you cut them, make sure you let them settle in before you decide it's not enough. Unless the suspension is seated you might get a false reading. (voice of experience speaking)

Great point. I do tip back a few while I'm working, and I have forgotten the little stuff before.

Thats kinda what my truck reminds me of now, like I jacked it up and didn't roll it to set the spring down.

Thanks again guys.

[MT71c-10]

Got-R-Dunn. Thanks for your help guys! Now I'm thinking the back needs to come down about 1", it looks a little badonk-a-Donk to me and my GF. What do you think?

[dave2953]

Honestly I think that stance is perfect, but that just my opinion. The truck is sick as it sits...beautiful!

[MT71c-10]

Thanks guys! I cut 1 coil out, ended up being 2 1/4" on mine. Shane was right on. I almost went 1 1/2 coils, but I'm glad I didn't. I like the front where it is. The top of the front wheel arch is 27 1/8" off the ground, rear is 30 1/4".

[LuckyHenriksen]

Looks good, how much did you end up cutting off? The back could go down more but it looks good as is too.

[Shane]

Looks AWESOME!!!

[MT71c-10]

Shane, thanks for your knowage! I'll give your rep another bing for it. How about rear coils. Can you cut or not?

[dave2953]

Rear coils are pigtailed where they attach and cannot be cut. Some people heat them, but I don't particularly care for it. They aren't that expensive. You could also get some blocks for the rear, which is an alternative to springs. Just a thought.

[Shane]

Hey MT71,

Just glad to be able to help you out. I agree with Dave. No easy way to cut and re-shape and it's not advisable to heat ... soooo since you are only a few inches different with the front, I would look in to 1" or 1.5" lowering block and longer u-bolts.

Good Luck

[MT71c-10]

Bump for ap2002

[northern 85]

I think it look just RIGHT!!!!! Nice job.

[Average Joe]

Beautiful truck. Nice to see more of these longbeds getting cherried out. My personal opinion would be to drop the back a coupla inches if you havent done so already. I'm kinda in the same boat with my 69 longbed. Its got stock small block springs up front with a 454 pushing down on them. The back sits up a little to high though with stock springs. I'm thinking of going the homemade block route.