Lowering Help

[shane72_383]

So i think i've decided to go ahead and cut the aprings on my 72. Im looking for some advice on doing this, should i do it? Advantages/Disadvantages, and any general tricks that anyone might know. Thanks

[jimmydean]

You can only cut the front ones. If your springs are original, I would highly recomend spending the money and getting new springs in the height you want. New springs and new shocks will improve your ride a lot!

[wannabeburbowner]

I cut my stock front coils. I used a 4 1/2" angle grinder. If I remember right I just took off a half coil and it lowered it about 2" maybe just a hair more. They have been on there for about 6 months and are doing just fine.

[slammed71]

Start a half, you can alway's cut more but you can't put it back!

[67Fleet]

Cutting 1 coil will net you about 2-1/2". Like said, use an angle grinder or you can use another method. I would stay away from the torch if you can.

[low sierra]

cut one coil off the front springs on my 79 in july of 81 and it is still working very well. used a flip kit on the rear and was not satisfied with the results because the rear was lower than the front. to get the front end down more I cut another 1/4 coil off and it was way to much causing lower ball joint problems, don't go past one coil. put in new springs cutting 1 coil again and took the truck and a new set of MOOG lower ball joints to the alignment shop. when I got it back the new ball joints had lowered it about another inch. it was perfect ratio front to rear, just a slight forward rake.
by the way when I ordered the flip kit, first I had ever seen advertised, the instructions told me to cut front springs and remove all the bump stops front and rear.
sorry for the long story, hope this helps.
I forgot to say that I heated and flattened the bottom of the spring as well.

[Shane]

save your money and buy dropped springs, shouldn't cost more than $250 for both front and rear .... your kidneys will thank you for it later on.

[shane72_383]

I think i like your idea Shane (we have the same name by the way) $250 isn't bad and i want to go 3 or 4 in the front, any other problems that i might run into doing it the "right way?"

[jimmydean]

To go more than 2.5" in the front, you will need drop spindles. To do it "right", get a 3/5 front/rear kit. For $700, you can get spindles, front/rear coils, shocks, shock relocators, track bar, and u-bolts.

I would add a c-notch kit to that, but that's "right".

I couldn't decide how low was low enough without being too low, so I bit the bullet and went bags. I have about $1400 into my setup, but I had to add discs on my '69. It adds up FAST, but you will be better off in the long run if you do it right the first time.