Technical 57 chev wagon coil cutting and let's start a lowered wagon thread

Hi hambers I have a 57 chev wagon and have the front coil springs out, how much can I cut?? I was going to cut
1-1/2 coils off is this acceptable to drop approx 3 inches
Any thoughts??
There must be lots of guys on here with experience with this!!!
Thx for any help
The hamb is where it's at!!!!

 

From experience I would take it slow,it's amazing just how much difference a half a coil will make.

Granted it takes more work but once you cut it you can't undo it.

BTW,don't ever use a torch to cut coil springs. HRP

 

I take half a coil at time, but have the luxury of 6 hoist 's

 

Generally, one full wrap will net 2" of drop.

 

Thx guys
Always lots of help on here

 

Not to make more work, but these '55-70 Chevy can have the lower A-arm stepped 2" and ride like stock. So-Low did my '61's.

 

What do u mean by stepped?
Thx r

 

This is the idea. Moving the ball joint platform up 2". And if your ride has a lot of shims already, moving the joint inward a bit can eliminate that.

 

Slammed, you able to get a bump stop on yours ?

 

Yes. It has never hit it. Been driving these lowered chevys for nearly 30 years. Sense-a-trac Monroe's should be figured in minimum. Nice ride, $25-$30 ea. Some one should be able to help w/a cross reference # for you. If you take out 2" or more a 1-2" shorter shock is a good idea. The stepped A-arm deal is like a spindle drop, it does not shorten the coil, hence shock is stock (longer) length. I have KYB's and they are fine for cutting harder corners, but then give up some comfort in the ride.

 

Station wagon springs have a different rating than regular passenger cars.
We used to put wagon springs in '57 hardtops and coupes to raise the front end up.
A set of 6 cylinder springs would be the weakest.
Sure there is info on that somewhere on the web or call a spring shop.

 

Also someone may be upgrading to bags or MII, stub, ect and may have these parts for cheap.

 

6 Cyl springs might be stronger than you think since a 235 is heaver that a sbc ??

 

X2 that the stovebolt weighs more. Not by much so the springs may not be different.
Skidlid - All the rebuilt , powdercoated stuff from my 57 is sitting in a box here. Including brand new PST springs. PM me if interested, it's never going back on my car.

 

@slammed thanks for the response. Our 57 is stepped as is my 52. I think shorter shocks may be in order, I used new Monroe' s but theyre stock length and new 1.5 "drop" springs. Doesn't sit as low as others I've seen but were happy with it for now.

 

For reference this is where she sits now. Looking for some 14''s up front for more rake.

 

Remember- if you cut the springs it makes the spring rate higher. They will be stiffer.

 

lots of great research on this subject on ChevyTalk.com in the tri5 forum. When I lowered my 57 Townsman I elected to just use new replacement springs and drop spindles and disk brake conversion to get it all taken care of in one step, fresh, low, safe. Got my spindles from Heidts

 

....by the way, I did attempt the spring cutting first by taking out one full coil to see what I'd get out of it. It went down more than 2", but others results may vary due to age and amount of wear on your springs. Just my $0.02

 

If I remember correctly, every 8" of outside circumference drops it 3/4"......

 

Thus is common drop for most of what we play with. I never cut more then a coil and a half and on some cars a coil and a half will be between 3 and 4"

 

I did just over a coil off the fronts on my 1955 wagon. It dropped it just over 2 inches. Looked nice but I didn't like the rough ride, so I bought 2" drop designed new springs.

 

Here's the result, chopped 1-1/2 coils off, could have done 2
It dropped approx 3-1/4 inches, the rear leafs were pretty sagged
so front end was in the air, it was driving me nuts!!?,
Now the car sits nice, pretty easy job just time consuming!
Thx for all the help, first time for everything... Now I can add it to the list

 

Nice wagon, sits low

 

Thanks, yours looks great. !

 

my 65 Impala wagon has stock coils cut 1 1/2 each......good quality shocks as well......rides OK for this lowering method......best bet will be spending the $$$$ to acquire special progressive rate coils, which will provide same drop but with improved ride quality......

 

I am using 550x15 tires on the front of the 57 wagon that I have had for 25 years. No way I would lower ANY. The front crossmember already hits the pavement during aggressive driving

 

Mines a '57 but not a wagon.....This is what was done on mine when I got it (torched), I replaced with 2" lowered springs, now good ride and height.

 

1" coils and 2" dropped spindles. rides like a dream and has the look.

 

******Hi guys I Got another question, I believe my passenger side is 1/2inch to 5/8 higher, I left car overnight
So may cut the other 1/2 of coil off on passenger side
Any thoughts I looked at all other possible issues and points to the spring....
Thx and keep the cool lowered wagons a postin
These were the original mini vans back in the day
I grew up with a few different wagon, everybody young or old loves em, I think they bring back memories for a lot of people and the younger generation thinks they are cool, so we must be on to something here!!!!!