Hot Rods cutting front springs 1956 chevy?

O.K. folks, please save all the judging, advice, and other options. in fact i know all of that. I just want to cut the front springs on my 1956 chevy wagon for a year or so until I can afford the suspension I want to purchase. so stock V8 motor, front springs on a 56. how low will cutting each coil get me. I want to be lowered but not too low. like I said it is only for a while.
If I remember right it is one inch per coil, but I figured I'd check

 

1 coil is 3'' and 2 is just right … cut half the rubber off the bump stops & drive it like a lowered car ...

 

Start with one coil, drive it see how you like it.. and what 302GMC said cut the bump stops

 

Mark's correct ... a coil and a half.

 

cut one coil, maybe one and a quarter, drive it for a month...then cut 1/4 coil at a time after that, but repeat the driving for a month process.

Or cut a bunch off to start with, and be prepared to buy new springs, because you went too far.

 

What Squirrel said. The springs have to settle after each cut

 

Did that one time on a F100. Son wanted it low, so he cut off 1 coil, not low enough. He had me cut off 2 more coils.......too much! Sat it down off the jack stands and the springs fell out of the pockets....oops! Too short! New spring time!

 

I was going to cut 2 coils but decided that I would try one coil first to see how I liked it. It lowered it 2", just right for me. So every setup is different and all coils are not the same. Remember, you can't put the metal back on the coil if you over do it.

 

short & sweet, just apply heat

 

... and watch it drop like a rock... oooppps... done that before. Took one coil out of my Ford from the OG springs. I may give it another 1/2 in the spring since my offshore ball joint boots have shit the bed on me. Then I have to align it again most likely.

 

One coil. Shop truck so not too low.

 

Do 1 coil at a time. More work now, but sneak up on it. Send Pics!!

 

If you fu@k up & cut too much I got a set of coils from my old 64' you can have

 

My 55 has 2 coils cut and dearched rear springs ( and a trunk full of stuff for our trip to Croatia last June)

 

Love that 56! Ive also been pushing SOS pads lately so a little action on that bumper guard there wouldnt hurt

 

Figure out how much you want to cut then cut half of it, it will be perfect..

 

Throw a spacer up top if the spring is too short.

 

This is my '59 with Aerostar springs, too low with 15" tires. Then went with the stock ones less 1 coil, a lot better.

 

Since you're going through all the labor of removing and replacing the springs to cut them, why not toss in a set of new lowering springs? They come in 1" and 2" drop for about $90. I'm assuming your future plans will be lowering springs and spindles? If so, spend the spring money now and enjoy a good ride (over cut and stiffened 60 year old springs) for a year or so, while you save for a full suspension rebuild/upgrade.

If you cut your original springs, don't be lazy and heat with a torch, you'll take a chance of losing the temper in the springs.
Use a cut off wheel or hacksaw. I've done them with a hacksaw and a good blade in under a minute.

 

Do this . . .

 

Read below....

 

That 59 is fine, and I'm a Chevrolet guy!!!!!