The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Cutting coil springs (64 C10)

I've decided to cut a coil or 2 outta my 64 C10's front springs. I'm gonna do this for a coupla reasons. First, I've never done it. Second, I'll be replacing the whole front end with the disk brake/power steering front end from my organ donor, a 74 C10. So if I don't like the results, I can always redo things.

The question I have is how many coils to remove? I've read that 2 coils resulted in about a 3 inch drop...yet only left an inch of suspension travel after trimming the snubbers. Is this about the average drop for 2 full coils? Has anyone removed more or less...and with what results?

I'd like to have the truck as low as I can get it and still be "streetable" (whatever that is) so I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks,

I know there is debate on this subject and I fall into the camp that says "why do it" when springs are so cheap. But if you do make certain that you cut only one coil at a time and at the same location as the original end so it will fit in the pocket if there is one. You can always redo it if it isn't enough but 1 coil should give you about 2" of lowering. DON'T cut it with a torch. Saw it off only.

And I still say they are just too cheap to fool with and you have brand new properly rated springs. Try www.espo.com for springs and all attaching parts cheap anf good service too.

Just for the heck of it, why do you say not to torch 'em? Changing the spring rate? I know that's the way it was done back in the 50s.

torching destroys the heat treat (temper) and changes the spring compression. It also introduces cracks in the steel. I know a lot of people torched them in the fifties, and still do it today, but that doesn't make it safe.

Are you getting the drop spindles with your disc setup? I did on my 69 and love the 2-1/2" drop.

Well, my neighbor and I sliced 'em with a sawzall and it gave just the amount of drop I was lookin for.

[img]http://www.chevyasylum.com/64c10/64C10_088r4.jpg[/img]

Now...to find a way to drop those rear coils without heatin 'em. Maybe clamps....I dunno. And I REALLY wish that UPS would hurry up with them fenders! I wanna get rid of those rusty ol things. But we're havin fun. I'm gonna take it to the Rat Fink Reunion this weekend in Manti, Utah (where Ed Roth lived for the last 15 years of his life) and hang with the Rat Finks. Here's the link to the Rat Fink Reunion page

And I thought my truck was ugly. Nice rake tho, if it was sitting flat... what is all that colorful sheetmetal in the background? Looks Camaro-ish?

I dunno if you saw that truck's license plate on my website, but it sez, "UGLYTRK". No delusions here.

The hardware in the background is a pair of 67 Camaros (one Sport Coupe, one RS/SS) and an 80 El Camino SS clone. There's also a 63 Nova back there and an 85 Monte SS in the garage that's becoming a Salt Flats race car. I decided that I wasn't gonna suffer from my insanity anymore...so I'm enjoyin it now.

You should go to wallymart and buy 20 cans of their cheep flat black spray paint.. it comes off easily and gets rid of multicolours.... I miss my Camaro's, well 2 of the 3.. My 69 was a rusty POS that I was lucky to unload on Ebay.

You can buy lowering clamps from JC Whitney. They work on both ends, and probably provide a CHEAP way of experimenting unitl you get what you want.
Bob

How much did you end up cutting, & how much drop did it give? Brian

I cut 2 coils off each front spring and I dunno the actual drop. I'd say between 4 and 5 inches. It's pretty low.

As far as paintin with cheap flat black...well, will satin black do? I've already got a dozen cans of satin Krylon just waitin to the hood and bed...and I have fenders on the way. Btw, I bought this truck as a winter beater...and really got to like it. I've only had it since last October or so.

Yesterday as I was furiously dodging raindrops so I could get the front bumper and grille primed, the UBT stopped in front of my house and delivered a nice shiny, new grille and set of bumpers:

[img]http://www.chevyasylum.com/64c10/64C10_094r4.jpg[/img]

I hadn't expected them for another 10 days or so...otherwise I probably wouldn't have started this whole mess. Oh, well. I'll have some color on it for the Rat Fink Reunion this weekend, then I can come back and start the serious work.

On the way to the Rat Fink Reunion. Here's the results of some quick rattle can work:

[img]http://www.chevyasylum.com/64c10/64C10_097r4.jpg[/img]