lowering questions w/coils?

[slamchop]

I want to lower my truck I just picked up and i have heated up coils and cut them before,but what is the best way?Its a gm frontend probably 65' el camino,or chevelle...

[Ayers Garage]

best way is to cut them.

[DIRTYT]

if it is for sure chevelle/elcamino heres some part number for lowering springs that would be the best low budget way. other then spindles perhaps

c990093.......2" drop $159.95
c990094.......3" drop $159.95

i got these from original parts group 1800-chevelle.

Bryan

[Unkl Ian]

When you heat them,you destroy the factory heat treatment,
and that area is no longer a spring.
Which explains why they break.

[wideglide74]

I cut 13/4 coils out of my stock springs then had it realigned. The car sits good and rides perfectly...

[Roddin28]

check them out - http://www.coilsprings.com/index.html
they will lower the coils you need - the inches you need -- hmm maybe 120 a pair - sounds good to me

[ESnacky6]

yeah..!!

I got a set of 4 dropped springs from www.coilsprings.com (http://www.coilsprings.com)
for my '65 Riviera.... $314 shipped to my door..!!!

great service and product, fast and cheap...!!
what more could you ask for..???

Later, Snacks....

[slammed]

Eibach Spring's Doestech Shock's Sway Bar's

[Hellfish]

the springs in my 59 chevy ride in grooves that are the same shape as the sping ends. If I cut them less than a full coil (1/2 coil.. 1 1/2 coils...etc) then the ends won't line up in the grooves. Is that a problem?

[1oldtimer]

do NOT heat them up, cut them with a hack saw or cutt off wheel. i cut 2 coils out of my '60 el camino, put springs in a bucket of water and cut away.

[DrJ]

[ QUOTE ]
the springs in my 59 chevy ride in grooves that are the same shape as the sping ends. If I cut them less than a full coil (1/2 coil.. 1 1/2 coils...etc) then the ends won't line up in the grooves. Is that a problem?

[/ QUOTE ]

They might "walk" back and fourth around the difference and squeek while doing it and if there's a difference in height in how they sit, (I know there is) then one might be up and one down and make the car lean a bit, not much, but a bit.
Also, you want to round and smooth off that cut end a bit so it doesn't start digging through the seat

[Mongo]

[ QUOTE ]
do NOT heat them up, cut them with a hack saw or cutt off wheel. i cut 2 coils out of my '60 el camino, put springs in a bucket of water and cut away.

[/ QUOTE ]Whats up with the bucket of water ??

[Mongo]

It's funny , I am just getting to this point on my 60 olds also. I just installed 2 1/2" blocks on the back yesterday so now I have to do the front.I plan on cutting the coils.

[DrJ]

if you do rear coils ya might want to check this thread about shorter shocks to keep the springs from falling out, too.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=498002&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=14&fpart=1

[FONZI]

They might "walk" back and fourth around the difference and squeek while doing it and if there's a difference in height in how they sit, (I know there is) then one might be up and one down and make the car lean a bit, not much, but a bit.
Also, you want to round and smooth off that cut end a bit so it doesn't start digging through the seat


-Great advise Doc. I never thought about rouding that end b4.


FONZI

[1oldtimer]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
do NOT heat them up, cut them with a hack saw or cutt off wheel. i cut 2 coils out of my '60 el camino, put springs in a bucket of water and cut away.

[/ QUOTE ]Whats up with the bucket of water ??

[/ QUOTE ]
the water is to keep them cool while cutting, i used an air die grinder and filled just under the coil i was cutting. the do move if you let the axle hang, but they don't fall out. my friend went 2 1/2 and they do fall out.

[Just Gary]

Ditto 1 oldtimer. I'd add one more recommendation: The first trip you should take after a lowering job should be to an alignment shop.

I cut 1 1/2 coils from my front springs & installed 2" dropped spindles for a total of ~4" drop in the front. The rear was brought down with 2" lowering blocks. This is about the practical limit for a shade-tree mechanic. To drop any more, you'll need bags or serious suspension work and a much bigger investment of $$/time (or both).