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Cut front coils

Arlo

Arlo

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Tomball, Texas
Suggestions on how much to cut front coils say coil and a half? How much drop would i get? I used to do this for buddies its been about 15 years and dont remember how much drop that gave me. i want about 2" in the front. "i think"
 
How about,,, NONE. Drop springs are too cheap now and will give "predictable" results both in the amount of drop, ride quality AND safe handling.

Val
 
Oh K, lemme see, im on a budget, lowered springs cost 'almost' 100 bucks, and a set of sawzall blades is 10 bucks......hmmm, yea no brainer. Ive lowered the last 5 of my trucks by doing the same thing...NO MORE than 2 coils!!!!!, if you do you must use drop spindles or youll eat up fr. tires every 3 months. The trick to cutting coils is to NOT get them too hot. The heat takes the "spring" out of the spring....just like welding, take your time and itll work..
g.t.
 
Thankyou all for the replys. But i will be cutting them. I have got it done now 1 coil = 2" just for future refrence if anyone needs it. i cut them with a cut off wheel over time no real heat involved.
 
im on a budget too, but i like to live to hotrod another day. from the way i drive my rods, i end up just shooting out the cut coils. (im speaking from experience!)
 
I agree with 66 kustom saftey first. In my younger days i took short cuts to try to save money. But it cost me more money to fix the problems the short cut caused. Good luck which way you decide.
 
I was watching an old episode of Overhaulin the other day, and the final ride heigth on the car they were working on wasn't the way Chip Foose wanted. So they took the coil springs out and cut them. I'm not saying this is right or wrong, but why would a guy with his rep do this? Maybe after the show he ordered the right ones? Or they might have left the cut ones in? Why wouldn't cut ones work? As long as they fit in the spring cups the way they did before they were cut they should work, right?
 
I wouldnt think it to be an issue. 1 coil Cut and ground to the same shape as stock.
I dont know maybe im missing something.
 
when springs are made they build them to work at a certian ride height, and for a certain weight range. when you cut a section out they no longer are able to handle the same weight range. when shorter coils are made at the factory they can make them to handle the same weight range at a lower stance, thus having a factory feeling ride thats still safe.

its the same technology as leaf springs, when you remove a leaf to gain a lower stance you run the risk of snaping a remaining leaf because it has to handle more weight on its own. thats why they make leaf springs that are made with a different arch for a lower ride, (or taller ride for 4x4's) but are able to still handle the vehicle weight.

as far as chip foose, even professional guys in the hollywood lime light cut corners (of course they still charge you full price!!) :rolleyes:

i agree sawzall blades are around $10 to a pack, but is my life and anyone elses life in my ride only worth $10 no offence, just my opinion. of corse who am i to say, i usally put way to much horse power in my hot rods and i have a lead foot that doesnt seem to be getting any lighter with age.
 
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was watching an old episode of Overhaulin the other day, and the final ride heigth on the car they were working on wasn't the way Chip Foose wanted. So they took the coil springs out and cut them. I'm not saying this is right or wrong, but why would a guy with his rep do this?
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Because it was done on a vehicle that would not be driven much. If you plan on building garage art, fine, no problem, cut the springs.. But if you are going to be driving your truck, drop springs are just not all that expensive.

It will just ride, stop, and steer better that cutting 40-50 year old springs that probably need replacing anyway... No Brainer !!

Val
 
ok ok ok, I'll eat my words. I forgot to ask if the springs you were cutting were ORIGINAL...NO!, i would not cut original springs. By this time, they have pretty much run out of "spring"... Being ona budget is a bitch, but are you of more use now, or dead cuz a short "cut". :), just my 2cents, the dudes on here have helped me up till now so im not about to give out bad advice.
g.t.
 
gitrunindady said:
ok ok ok, I'll eat my words. I forgot to ask if the springs you were cutting were ORIGINAL...NO!, i would not cut original springs. By this time, they have pretty much run out of "spring"... Being ona budget is a bitch, but are you of more use now, or dead cuz a short "cut". :), just my 2cents, the dudes on here have helped me up till now so im not about to give out bad advice.
g.t.
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sorry gitrunindady, i didnt mean to sound like i was bagging on you. im just saying my opinion, each one of our opinions are valued and have good points. i hope i didnt offend you. :)
 
ok i decided not to cut them. I did the setup this weekend and i think i found what i wanted. I am going with a set of 2007 yukon coils.
 
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cutting springs

When you cut a coil spring, the spring rate goes up due to less active coils. Not much mind you, about 10% per coil. Ask any good spring shop. Ron
 
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