cutting coils

[pebbleboy]

I wanna drop the front of my truck about 1 inch or so. How much of the coils should i cut?

[Turbo85GMC]

Always cut a whole coil, never part of one. It has to do with how the coil sits in the pocket. I've heard it said that cutting one coil drops about 1.5~2 inches.

[pebbleboy]

I'll have to do some measuring but I think 2 will give me too much rake.

[roj2323]

i know i'll get some flaming for this but why not just remove the springs heat the top coil a little and squeeze it down a little. that should give you the 1 in you want and it really shouldn't affect the ride as long as you only heat the half of the top coil.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by roj2323

i know i'll get some flaming for this but why not just remove the springs heat the top coil a little and squeeze it down a little. that should give you the 1 in you want and it really shouldn't affect the ride as long as you only heat the half of the top coil.

Yep, your gonna get flamed. NEVER ever recommend someone heat a coil to lower their truck. If you choose to do so that is your choice. Encouraging someone else to do so is a blatant disrespect for that persons lack of knowledge.

Heated coils WILL fail. It's not a matter of IF they will fail, it's just a matter of WHEN they will fail. Once you heat a coil spring enough to drop it as you have described, the tempering is shot. It's only a matter of time before the spring collapses.....

[XXL]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If you choose to do so that is your choice. (

I'd go so far as to say that this is also bad... since I don't know when I'll be on the road behind the guy who heated his springs, I'm being put in jeopardy as well. Just do it right. If you can't afford it, start saving. It's not that expensive, and if it's still too expensive, then maybe you should be in the car modding game.

</flame off>

[gringoloco]

I cut a half, and got about an inch. You will have to guide the spring into place and possibly do a little "massaging" of the upper spring pocket.

Only reason I did this was because the front was sitting HIGHER than the back, and I needed to drive the truck. This is by no means a permanent fix for me, but has been fine for few months, and should be fine for few more 'til I get off my lazy ass and install my bags.

It is doable. But then again, drop springs are cheap... <--My .02

Oh yeah, heating coils=BAD (sorry roj2323)

[roj2323]

i figured as much. however the guy is obviously worried about cost if he just wants to cut the coils anyway. with a little common sence and a quick search there are plenty of methods people have used to get that extra 1/2 -1in of drop.

disclamer: the following is NOT a "how too" it is a rant to explaine my rational.

would i ever heat the coils on my truck, probably not but if i ever needed too i wouldn't just go and grab my torch. i would prep the coils so i could keep 90% of them cool by wraping them in towls and soaking them in water while i make the heated bend. i would also limit my actions to the very bottom coil that way if something does happen the worst thing that would ocure is the truck drops in the front an additinal inch or two which isin't a catastrophic occurance if you don't drive like an ass.

""end rant""

the correct method for doing minor front drops is:
spindles before springs, aftermarket springs if you need more and finaly if you need more and i still don't completely understand why this is cool but a crossmember drop or frame mods.

i would spend the whopping $1-300 and do it right. here's some links to board dealers. please note i was going to include LMC but there nuts on there prices.

http://www.gmcpauls.com/drop_%26_suspension.htm
63-72 Front Lowering Coil Springs $114.95
and a ton of other stuff

http://www.classicheartbeat.com/67-7...suspension.htm
lowering spings 129.95
lowering spindles 229.95

wow this stuff went down in price over the last 2 yrs! cool!

[c10crazy]

Last time I checked, gMC Paul had springs on sale for $95.

[pebbleboy]

I was thinking about cutting because I know of a few trucks that were and I didn't hear any bad storys if you just cut a little bit. I wasn't considering heating as a option.

I just put drop spindles and new springs on the rear. The front is sitting slightly higher. Since the springs are not new I don't think they will drop anymore due to break in or anything like that.

The best route I agree is to just lay down the cash (or credit cards or barter ...whatever your choice of payment) and just order drop springs. I'ts not a huge issue with me right now and I have other things the financing is heading towards so I didn't want to drop the cash on them right now.
I haven't measured anything to see how much 2 in will bring me down but It will probably be one of those things I think could be better but will have to wait to get fixed.

[JAMESCHURCH13]

Originally Posted by c10crazy

Last time I checked, gMC Paul had springs on sale for $95.

True I just bought some yesterday. Peace.