10-04-2006, 03:53 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Osawatomie,KS
Posts: 119
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Lowering Help
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
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10-04-2006, 04:11 PM | #2 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 3,728
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Re: Lowering Help
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!
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10-04-2006, 04:48 PM | #3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: New Philadelphia, Ohio
Posts: 253
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Re: Lowering Help
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.
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71 Chevy Long Bed (gettin' bagged) 84 GMC K1500 (Sold) 85 Monte Carlo SS white w/gray int. (being a dumba** and totaled it ) 85 Monte Carlo SS clone T-top (Sold) 72 Chevelle-tubbed 64 Buick Sportwagon |
10-04-2006, 04:54 PM | #4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: TN
Posts: 27
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Re: Lowering Help
Start a half, you can alway's cut more but you can't put it back!
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10-04-2006, 08:25 PM | #5 |
Outlandish Trends - FL
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,396
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Re: Lowering Help
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.
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-Bret 67 short-fleet sold! |
10-04-2006, 08:44 PM | #6 |
Old Time Rodder
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Posts: 58
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Re: Lowering Help
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.
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79 GMC SWB Lowrider Stepside [81 cab] that thinks it a Chevy (since 6/1980) Replacement cab had A/C which now works, made a real truck out of it 84 MC 305 350TH 3.08 4 wheel disc finally My daily driver again |
10-04-2006, 10:10 PM | #7 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
Posts: 14,270
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Re: Lowering Help
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.
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10-04-2006, 11:51 PM | #8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Osawatomie,KS
Posts: 119
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Re: Lowering Help
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?"
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10-05-2006, 01:49 AM | #9 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 3,728
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Re: Lowering Help
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. |
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