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Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 16, 2014, 5:43 pm
by Danimal
Howdy~ I'm sure this topic has been run into the ground. However I could not locate the thread.
Does anyone know what the max amount of springs (coils) can be cut off when having he stock I Beams bent?

I want to try this before purchasing Drop beams or IFS, which will more than likely be the end result.

There is a truck shop that bends I beams to adjust camber, they could not tell me the max amount of coils I can remove.

I have heard 2-2.5, not sure if that is accurate.....garage talk. :cheers:

Any info will be helpful.

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 17, 2014, 1:47 am
by 1965fordf100
I cut 2 whole coils off of a set...then let it settle for about 6 months (long project going on here). I don't think they could have bent the beams enough to compensate. Needless to say those springs were replaced and the truck was put back to stock height until I can purchase the correct parts to lower my truck.

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 17, 2014, 9:41 am
by 64 f100
Something to remember, the drivers side spring islonger than the passenger side, or maybe it's the other way around. Found that out when I replaced the springs. I thought it very strange.

Rich

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 17, 2014, 9:43 am
by randyr
64 f100 wrote:Something to remember, the drivers side spring islonger than the passenger side, or maybe it's the other way around. Found that out when I replaced the springs. I thought it very strange.

Rich
They did that to compensate for the engine weight being offset to the passenger side.

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 17, 2014, 2:06 pm
by dsrtjeeper
I cut two full coils out of mine and the truck sits about the same height as with DJM drop beams. I had the stock beams bent at an alignment shop. Perfect tire wear for two years now. I also installed Doetsch Tech Nitro Slammer lowered shocks up front. Great shock with excellent valving for this setup.

The ride is sports car firm and you will need to slow down for potholes and speed bumps. I cut some material off the front bump stops and still have 3/4" of rubber on them.

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 17, 2014, 6:00 pm
by Danimal
Good deal, I'm going to try it and see what I get. Worst that can happen is I will have to buy replacement springs.

A coil consists of one full turn from start of spring correct. Wow I sound like a rookie!

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 21, 2014, 4:21 pm
by Danimal
Tonight the springs get cut. I will take pictures and post them.

:cheers:

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 22, 2014, 7:31 am
by Danimal
Update: Everything went smoothly. Got a 3" drop min, easy 2 hour job, no special tools.

Flipping the rear axle this evening after work.

Loving the new stance of my Slick!! :rocker:

Will add pics, waiting to take them in day light for comparison reasons.

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 22, 2014, 9:31 am
by Hunter's 64
I would then take it to a shop and get a good alignment done :2cents: hopefully all goes well


Danny

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 23, 2014, 7:39 am
by Danimal
I agree. It's scheduled for an alignment early next week. Not driving it until that is completed.

The rear axle flip was more difficult than the front. Took more time, and measurements.

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 23, 2014, 9:07 am
by Hunter's 64
Hope you corrected your pinion angle :2cents:

Danny

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 23, 2014, 5:16 pm
by Danimal
I have not corrected the pinion angle. Currently the truck is in the garage and has not been moved.

What angle should it be adjusted to?

I flipped one leaf spring at a time, and attached at original set point.

Any help is appreciated.

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 23, 2014, 5:39 pm
by Hunter's 64
have you welded your new spring perches to the axel tube yet ?


Danny

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 23, 2014, 6:46 pm
by Rusty 63
Sounds like he turned the leaf pack upside down...

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 23, 2014, 7:38 pm
by Leeroy
Am waiting for these pics with baited breath!

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 24, 2014, 11:07 pm
by Danimal
The leaf springs are now the the botton of the axle. I did flip the leaf pavk. If that is the same hardware that originally held the axle and leaf springs in place. Nothing that can be undone and placed back to original set up.

Lools like I will set the rear set up back to stock. I will research the procedure for flipping the rear.
I can post pictures, but I hate to disappoint. They are all of my truck in the garage lowered. No technical pics.

Thanks

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 25, 2014, 6:38 am
by DV65CustomCab
Cutting the coils ruins the camber angle. There is no 'alignment' operation that will fix that. I'm a little surprised no one has pointed this out yet.

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 25, 2014, 10:50 pm
by Indy63
DV65CustomCab wrote:Cutting the coils ruins the camber angle. There is no 'alignment' operation that will fix that. I'm a little surprised no one has pointed this out yet.
Like he said in the first post and again by dsrtjeeper, just about any shop that does truck alignments can bend the beams to correct the camber.

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 26, 2014, 10:55 pm
by Danimal
11424

Here is a picture of my truck as of today. Still some items to button up this week.

Re: Cut springs = how much drop

Posted: January 27, 2014, 10:39 pm
by dsrtjeeper
Danimal wrote:The leaf springs are now the the botton of the axle. I did flip the leaf pavk. If that is the same hardware that originally held the axle and leaf springs in place. Nothing that can be undone and placed back to original set up.

Lools like I will set the rear set up back to stock. I will research the procedure for flipping the rear.
I can post pictures, but I hate to disappoint. They are all of my truck in the garage lowered. No technical pics.

Thanks
Why are you going back to stock in the rear?