coil spring question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kgmunro · 06-08-2013, 06:14 AM

I cut 2 coils off the front of my 66 gmc and it looks great. The only problem is when I jack up the truck the coils fall over slightly and I have to reposition them when lowering the truck back on the ground. Do you think there will be a problem when driving the truck? I am worried if I hit a large bump maybe the coil will fall sideways....yes? no? Also if I go to 2 inch drop coils will this give about the same amount of drop as cutting the 2 coil rings?

fleetsidelarry · 06-08-2013, 09:13 AM

I don't know about the spring tilting out of the pocket but haven't heard anybody else complain and lots of guys cut coils.

2 coils is way more than 2" drop. the amount of drop resulting from shortening a coil is magnified because of the position of the spring along the control arm and simple geometry. not knowing how much shorter 2 coils is in inches, I'd guess that 2 full coils is equivalent to a 5" drop chassis-wise

*Sharps40* · 06-08-2013, 09:35 AM

If the top coils we're cut it won't stay centered in the upper sprinh hat. Concur above - 2 coils is likely too short.
Posted via Mobile Device

chevyrestoguy · 06-08-2013, 09:56 AM

Your coil won't fall sideways, but it will be moving in the top of the pocket every time the suspension goes into full droop. Your springs will be very noisy, and there's a very good possibility that you'll see the height of the front of the truck change from side to side. This will be an indicator that the top of the spring is not indexed in the same position in the spring pocket between the left and right sides because of the movement.

I like the combination of a cut coil (2" drop) and a drop spindle (depending on the manufacturer, around 2" to 2.5") to drop the front 4". The ride is a little more firm than stock, which I like, and the geometry stays where you can get it aligned with no issues.

kgmunro · 06-08-2013, 11:09 AM

cool, thanks guys. I have another set of coils i will install for now to make it safe to drive.

Tx Firefighter · 06-08-2013, 09:55 AM

Cutting two coils is simply too much. The spring is now so short that it can't locate top and bottom when the suspension unloads. Cutting one coil is fine, but that's about the limit.

If you want the lowness you have now but want to do it right, you need spindles and springs. You've cut 4 plus inches out of your current springs.
Posted via Mobile Device

06-08-2013, 06:14 AM	#1
kgmunro Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Brandon Manitoba Canada Posts: 342	coil spring question I cut 2 coils off the front of my 66 gmc and it looks great. The only problem is when I jack up the truck the coils fall over slightly and I have to reposition them when lowering the truck back on the ground. Do you think there will be a problem when driving the truck? I am worried if I hit a large bump maybe the coil will fall sideways....yes? no? Also if I go to 2 inch drop coils will this give about the same amount of drop as cutting the 2 coil rings?

06-08-2013, 09:13 AM	#2
fleetsidelarry Senior Car Nut Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: shellman bluff, GA Posts: 1,411	Re: coil spring question I don't know about the spring tilting out of the pocket but haven't heard anybody else complain and lots of guys cut coils. 2 coils is way more than 2" drop. the amount of drop resulting from shortening a coil is magnified because of the position of the spring along the control arm and simple geometry. not knowing how much shorter 2 coils is in inches, I'd guess that 2 full coils is equivalent to a 5" drop chassis-wise __________________ Larry

06-08-2013, 09:35 AM	#3
Sharps40 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: here Posts: 2,408	Re: coil spring question If the top coils we're cut it won't stay centered in the upper sprinh hat. Concur above - 2 coils is likely too short. Posted via Mobile Device

06-08-2013, 09:56 AM	#4
chevyrestoguy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: apple valley, ca Posts: 2,670	Re: coil spring question Your coil won't fall sideways, but it will be moving in the top of the pocket every time the suspension goes into full droop. Your springs will be very noisy, and there's a very good possibility that you'll see the height of the front of the truck change from side to side. This will be an indicator that the top of the spring is not indexed in the same position in the spring pocket between the left and right sides because of the movement. I like the combination of a cut coil (2" drop) and a drop spindle (depending on the manufacturer, around 2" to 2.5") to drop the front 4". The ride is a little more firm than stock, which I like, and the geometry stays where you can get it aligned with no issues. __________________ Check out my latest endeavor: https://roundsixpod.com My build threads: '55 Chevy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=247512 '64 C-20: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446527

06-08-2013, 11:09 AM	#5
kgmunro Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Brandon Manitoba Canada Posts: 342	Re: coil spring question cool, thanks guys. I have another set of coils i will install for now to make it safe to drive.

06-08-2013, 09:55 AM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: coil spring question Cutting two coils is simply too much. The spring is now so short that it can't locate top and bottom when the suspension unloads. Cutting one coil is fine, but that's about the limit. If you want the lowness you have now but want to do it right, you need spindles and springs. You've cut 4 plus inches out of your current springs. Posted via Mobile Device



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.