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Old 04-12-2013, 07:29 PM   #1
61 chevy
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rear trailer arm coil spring ????

i want to lower the rear 2 inches, does anybody know how many coils that would be ? 1 or 2 or a half coil?
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Old 04-12-2013, 07:33 PM   #2
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

You can't cut the rear coils like you can the front coils. This is because the rear coil springs have pig-tail ends on BOTH ends. If you cut coils off of either end, it won't be able to bolt to the frame or trailing arms. People have done this and lived with it though. The best option is to order a pair of quality drop springs, such as those sold by ECE.
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Old 04-12-2013, 07:39 PM   #3
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

You could use two inch blocks between the trailing arms and rear axle, with longer u-bolts....
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Old 04-12-2013, 08:20 PM   #4
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

Quote:
Originally Posted by Reyals Bemus View Post
You can't cut the rear coils like you can the front coils. This is because the rear coil springs have pig-tail ends on BOTH ends. If you cut coils off of either end, it won't be able to bolt to the frame or trailing arms. People have done this and lived with it though. The best option is to order a pair of quality drop springs, such as those sold by ECE.
The PO of my truck cut a coil or two and them welded the spring to the trailing arm. That worked fine until is put bags in the rear.. Just an option..

There also some different Jeep coils you can use to drop the rear some.
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Old 04-12-2013, 08:29 PM   #5
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

Yea I suppose you could cut em, and then make a little U bracket that would positively bolt the end of the coil to the arm. At least it then would not be totally ghetto.
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Old 04-12-2013, 10:07 PM   #6
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

get a set of factory newer rear jeep coils. my buddy found a set on craigslist for $20 bucks.. they lowered it about 3-4 inches and they ride nice and smooth.
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Old 04-12-2013, 10:27 PM   #7
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

Quote:
Originally Posted by Reyals Bemus View Post
You can't cut the rear coils like you can the front coils. This is because the rear coil springs have pig-tail ends on BOTH ends. If you cut coils off of either end, it won't be able to bolt to the frame or trailing arms. People have done this and lived with it though. The best option is to order a pair of quality drop springs, such as those sold by ECE.

You can cut them just have to figure a way to hold the top of the spring, even though i know a number of guys with daily drivers that just cut them and run them bolted to the trailing arms and nothing holding them to the frame and never have had a problem,but for safety concerns id never suggest it, I did it on two of my trucks and just used a u-bolt from the hardware store to hold the spring on top to the frame....but that does require you to drill some holes in the frame.
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Old 04-13-2013, 07:40 AM   #8
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

I would not recommend cutting the springs.

Last edited by tincan1966; 04-13-2013 at 08:40 AM.
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Old 04-13-2013, 09:44 AM   #9
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

Don't cut the springs. Even if you can rig up a method to attach them, it's not a good option. These are your best three options:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Reyals Bemus View Post
The best option is to order a pair of quality drop springs, such as those sold by ECE.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich 5150 69 View Post
You could use two inch blocks between the trailing arms and rear axle, with longer u-bolts....
Quote:
Originally Posted by DLOE65 View Post
get a set of factory newer rear jeep coils. my buddy found a set on craigslist for $20 bucks.. they lowered it about 3-4 inches and they ride nice and smooth.
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Old 04-13-2013, 10:03 PM   #10
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

Quote:
Originally Posted by DLOE65 View Post
get a set of factory newer rear jeep coils. my buddy found a set on craigslist for $20 bucks.. they lowered it about 3-4 inches and they ride nice and smooth.
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Do you know what year and model jeep will work?
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Old 04-13-2013, 11:09 PM   #11
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

There are four different versions of the springs that were used from 1997 through 2006. These are the ones that can be used on the C10. Similar rear springs could be found on the Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ. All four versions are the same length wise but vary in rate.
The only way to tell them apart is by the color coded tags that are on the springs from the factory, they read as follows:
103AA (or 3AA) 130lb.
104AA (or 4AA) 140lb.
105AA (or 5AA) 150lb.
106AA (or 6AA) 160lb.
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Old 04-13-2013, 11:34 PM   #12
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

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Originally Posted by bama63 View Post
There are four different versions of the springs that were used from 1997 through 2006. These are the ones that can be used on the C10. Similar rear springs could be found on the Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ. All four versions are the same length wise but vary in rate.
The only way to tell them apart is by the color coded tags that are on the springs from the factory, they read as follows:
103AA (or 3AA) 130lb.
104AA (or 4AA) 140lb.
105AA (or 5AA) 150lb.
106AA (or 6AA) 160lb.
Thanks!
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Old 04-15-2013, 10:49 PM   #13
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

thanks for all the suggestions. very helpful, can always count on this message board.
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Old 04-15-2013, 11:13 PM   #14
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

I went the jeep coil route. I got them off of Ebay for 15.00 shiped. They fit like a glove... But they dont let me carry much
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Old 04-16-2013, 12:56 AM   #15
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

Quote:
Originally Posted by slepysal View Post
I went the jeep coil route. I got them off of Ebay for 15.00 shiped. They fit like a glove... But they dont let me carry much
How much did it lower it? About 3-4 inches as stated above? I'm just trying to figure out what to do for the front if I go with jeep springs in the rear.
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Old 04-16-2013, 01:40 AM   #16
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

yea about 3 inches here is a before
Name:  100_2222.jpg
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Size:  40.8 KB

and after
Name:  IMG_0407.jpg
Views: 299
Size:  52.4 KB
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Last edited by slepysal; 04-16-2013 at 10:46 AM.
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Old 04-16-2013, 07:46 AM   #17
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

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Originally Posted by slepysal View Post
yea about 3 inches here is a before
Attachment 1093235

Attachment 1093236
That's the look I'm going for. Looks good man!
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Old 04-16-2013, 11:06 PM   #18
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

i did 2.5 inch drop spindles in the front. this pic shows my old rear tires 275/60/15 they were a little balloonish. i just changed them for 255/60/15 looks better and they stick under the bed a lot better.
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Old 04-16-2013, 11:57 PM   #19
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Re: rear trailer arm coil spring ????

thanks 63chevyc10
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