Cutting the front springs on a 64

[64c10stepside]

I have removed the front springs and I was suprised to see that the top of the springs are pig tailed, not straight, as I had expected. The front springs on my 67 a body are not pig tailed, they run the same diameter top to bottom.
Now...I will be cutting the lower end, or the end that is not pig tailed.
If I cut the first coil it is about half of the distance in a 360 degree turn as the next full coil cut would be. I wanted to cut the max number of coils to get me a few inches from bottoming out on the stops, but now I am confused.
How far up can I cut, max, in terms of degrees? Or if you can explain it better, I would appreciate it.
If it doesn't work out an can always start over. I just don't have 250-300 for drop spindles and then the expense for the disc brake setup at this time.
Thanks for the help.
Sorry...never had access to this many cool smiles before!

[Rusteeze64GB]

Let me know once you have done it. I live close by, and I need to do the same.

[70 Suburban]

I cut one coil on mine. That put the tire to the top of the opening.

[2tons of fun]

if you coils are not pigtailed they have been cut already or swaped out.


cutting from the bottom i would not cut more than 2 full coils off because you are going to seriously screw up you geometry and ride as well as start banging the lower arm on the crossmember.

[blemaire]

im planing on doing the same for my 64 stepside as well. is this similar to the 67 + years that each inch cut equals about 2 inches of drop? id like to get about 2.5 drop just on the springs alone. Im in the same boat as you are 64c10stepside not enough scratch lol.

I was planning to cut my rear springs as well untill i saw the pigtail on both ends of the spring. my question in are the front springs the same as the rear? as i have not taken mine out yet.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

This is my 63 with 1.5 coils cut....

[64c10stepside]

rusteeze, I'll let you know.

Sounds like 2 coilswill work for me, so the first short one and the next full coil which is twice as long. Right?

Thanks for the picture of the truck with 1.5 coils cut.

The rear coils should be pig tailed on both ends. You don't want to cut these. I picked up some cheep jeep coils and will add blocks if I want more drop. I think that they are jeep kj coils? Correct me if I'm wrong someone. I knew what they were when I got them.

[2tons of fun]

ooh, i have a pair of jk coils sitting at my shop getting ready to be reborn as a honda or some other jap pos.

[64c10stepside]

Cut 2 inches here are some pics.
I'll have to cut the bump stops more, maybe and a spacer. I'll see how it rides first.
As you can see 1 1/2 would probably be the best cut.

[64c10stepside]

Anyone ever cut the bumpstop mounting box off?

[**grumpy**]

Originally Posted by 64c10stepside

Anyone ever cut the bumpstop mounting box off?

Yep..
Cut it off flat with control arm. So I had no bumpstop.

BUT...I added Toxic Shocks I bought at Summit Racing for 50pr.

They are made for lowered trucks, and they worked great.

I did this on my old 63 Suburban.

I also cut 2 coils off the front.

It was as low as it possibly could of been with drop spindles, bags, or stepped arms...


It actually rode pretty well. I drove it 70-75mph 165 miles to Columbus GG's last July.
Was only harsh if you hit a major bump, and even then, it wasnt teeth chattering...

[66coffin]

Originally Posted by **grumpy**

Yep..
Cut it off flat with control arm. So I had no bumpstop.

BUT...I added Toxic Shocks I bought at Summit Racing for 50pr.

They are made for lowered trucks, and they worked great.

I did this on my old 63 Suburban.

I also cut 2 coils off the front.

It was as low as it possibly could of been with drop spindles, bags, or stepped arms...


It actually rode pretty well. I drove it 70-75mph 165 miles to Columbus GG's last July.
Was only harsh if you hit a major bump, and even then, it wasnt teeth chattering...

which shocks did you use, do you have the part #?

[Muleman100]

After cutting the front coils, what is the best way to lower the back to get to an even stance?

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by Muleman100

After cutting the front coils, what is the best way to lower the back to get to an even stance?

"best" I'll have to assume you mean low-buck since we are talking cutting front coils; Jeep coils and/or lowering blocks for the rear

[64c10stepside]

Summit seems to have 2 options on the toxic shocks. 0-4 drop and 3-5 drop.
part numbers 3-5 #EXP-418509, 0-4 #EXP-413509 .

I'm going over there today, if I get anymore info I will post it.

I'm going with the Jeep coils and droip blocks (if req'd) Autozone has the drop blocks set 1, 2, and 3"
I'll post again when I get this don but it might be a few weeks. I'm going to assemble the front sheet metal first.

[Muleman100]

Where is everyone getting their Jeep springs? Is the CJ springs what I need to look for?

[64c10stepside]

I looked on craigslist and found a pair cheep. The jeep guys lift thier jeeps and sell or throw out the stock springs. I can't remember which ones...cj I think. Search here I you will see.

[Chevy Fleetside]

http://www.sporttruckdirect.com/spindles.html#C10spins $229 for drop spindles and you don't have to use special shocks and you have less headache.. Unless the spindles don't fit right..

[**grumpy**]

Sorry. Missed where I was asked about the shocks.

I dont remember what part number..Threw the boxes away.

I just measured what I felt I needed for travel, and went by theyre extend and compress numbers listed on Summits site.

They did work really well for me.

[64c10stepside]

Originally Posted by Chevy Fleetside

http://www.sporttruckdirect.com/spindles.html#C10spins $229 for drop spindles and you don't have to use special shocks and you have less headache.. Unless the spindles don't fit right..

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that with spindles you would have to also get the disc brakes, then if you have disc brakes you will want a booster, so It was more than $229. You might want more than 2.5 inch drop also, which is what you will get with the spindles.

[Nick's81]

the spring for rear should be TJ and LJ ( 97 to present ) rears all other jeeps use leafs in rear

[64c10stepside]

That's right, the TJ's are what I have...

[xJoey Dubsx]

<---- anti cutting springs...

[SCOTI]

Nothing wrong w/moderate cutting of the springs. 1-coil is worth 2-3"; don't cut more than that.

Originally Posted by 64c10stepside

I'm going with the Jeep coils and droip blocks (if req'd) Autozone has the drop blocks set 1, 2, and 3"

Drop blocks @ the Zone are for leaf spring vehicles not coil spring equipped trucks.

You can get them from ECE, CPP, or build them yourself....
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=196457

[Chevy Fleetside]

Well seeing I have a later model front end and disc brakes and I only want about 2/ 12" drop they are good for me.. hehe Aucally 3" would be better and you can get that with the later model springs as I think they are shorter then the earlier ones. I guess i will find out again. I could swear that they were shorter then my 65 springs.
That was 10 years ago though..