Several people have expressed problems getting the M2 IFS springs to install correctly.
I have been in touch with Pat Hollister (a fellow Oletrucker) who had the same issue as I did (see http://www.wsu.edu/~rsain/apache.html) with compressing the springs.
He called TCI to see what they said. Below is a copy of the email he sent me detailing TCI's response (the message is posted with permission from the author).
"Ryan, Well yes I did talk to TCI, and yes I did have some luck with them,(I think). I explained to them that I had the motor and tranny in and stood up on the frame, and that the springs still where bowed and far from level, (a-arms). He explained to me that he was sure I had the right springs and that they get a couple calls a week about the same problem. He said they were about to put it on their web site, and on the instruction sheet that this is normal. He went on to tell me that I need to finish the truck, (get ALL the body back together, and the interior, ect.) Then I need to drive the truck, easily, at first, to help seat the springs. He said the springs will settle in and be the right height after all the weight is on them and they seat in. He said this was due to them using a heavier spring that won't bottom out after it settles in.
"I told him that it might be as much as 2 years before I get to the stage of being able to drive the truck. He said it didn't matter to them, if I still have trouble when I get everything back together, to call them and they will make it right. I guess I can't ask for anything more than that, (as long as they keep their word)
"Seems that we have a common problem, that's not a problem at all, just a pain in the ...... So, I guess just finish your truck, drive it, and if you don't like it, call them. He also told me that some guys have cut their springs to shorten them, and it worked for a while, but after the springs settled in, they were not happy with them. They could not align the front end after it settled too far, and had problems with sagging."
(snip the last paragraph)
"Later,
Pat Hollister---'58 step"
Hope this helps all of you out there - and DON'T CUT YOUR SPRINGS!
- Ryan
