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#597472 12/02/2009 6:41 AM
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I want to lift my truck up on all coils about 2 inches so I can put wheel spacers on and the tires won't rub on the fenders, in the rear at least. Anyone done this before, or at least can anyone tell me how to get pressure off the coils so I can squeeze the spacers in? Thanks in Advance.

Here's a link for the spacers im gonna get. They are "Universal" and fit my trucks category in JC Whitney, although i'm kinda skeptical...
JCWhitney

Last edited by 1965 Chevy C10; 12/02/2009 6:42 AM.

3 Speed Or No Speed

1965 Chevrolet C10 Stepside
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You need a coil compression tool, up here you can "rent" one from Autozone (you pay for the tool but you get to use it and return it), I'm sure there would be one available at your local parts store.

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If you are going to try and put them in between the coils I would jack the rear up and take the tires off then let the rear hang down as low as possible maybe even removing the shock too. You will need to put jack stands under the frame and let the jack down slowly. The front has some pressure on them but I would do the same thing take the tires off and let the A-frame hang down you may get enough space to slide them in.
62Blue
Don

Last edited by Don G.; 12/02/2009 8:25 AM.

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Putting spacers in the springs is a really stupid idea. It effectively turns one spring into two or three, depending on how many spacers you install, by interfering with the compression of the springs in a uniform manner from top to bottom. The ride will get incredibly stiff, and you'll get permanent spring damage in a very few miles. If you want a taller ride height, install taller and/or stiffer springs. You'll also be running the suspension geometry out of its normal relationship by the height change, which induces tire wear problems and handling issues. Bad idea!
Jerry


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If you can get them to the bottom or top coils, they will minimizes the issue Jerry talks about above. For a short term fix, it should be OK for a while, but I would shop for new springs as money becomes available. Original springs surely have lost some hight over the years, so new ones just may bring it up to the hight you want with out spacers.

If you can find the type that go under the springs, the spring rates will stay as they are and you will gain hight with out any issues.

https://www.budzter.com/spacers.html

http://www.summitracing.com/search/Department/Chassis-Suspension/Part-Type/Coil-Spring-Spacers/Year/1965/?Ns=Rank%7cAsc

Summit Racing has a bunch to choose from. We have used the aluminums that set under the springs with good results.
Joe

Last edited by Joe H; 12/03/2009 5:02 PM.
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But thats what the ones I found do, they go on top and bottom, not in between


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Air bags inside the spring, or air lift shocks, or a overload booster will accomplish what you want also.

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Who remebers those SCREW type coil spring lifters they sold back in the late 70's early 80's ...ya popped em in with a 1/2" drive breaker bar..??


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I remember the screw type...actually just pulled 4 each out of the rear coils on a 58 Belair that I am working on. They were installed by some previous owner. I believe these are the ones Jerry is referring to. If for temporary use, I have run the aluminum ones that go under the spring with good success although they typically double the amount of lift you are trying to get on the front suspension. For example, if you wanted to go up 2 inches, 1 inch of spacer will pretty much do it in the front which would also apply to the ones being asked about here the way the geometry of suspension on the 65 works. The rear, however, should go up the amount of the spacer.
Jeff

Last edited by guthriesmith; 12/03/2009 4:46 PM.
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Ok, thanks a bunch for all the advice everyone, should be getting them by christmas. I'll update on how it goes.


3 Speed Or No Speed

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Ok fellas, potential change of plans.

Christmas, which is right now, for me consists of a few flannel shirts, some cologne, and a CB whip. The reason im getting so little in the way of "presents" is because my dads giving me a limited blank check so to speak (up to around $200) for whatever I want on my truck. I've been thinking about the spacers, and what John said about 'em.

Now, theres been one time in my life where Johns given me advice and I didn't take it (this goes back to the rebuild gone wrong saga) and that left me with a crankshaft all torn up cause I didnt clean all the sand and crap off it before I started to put the motor back, and I never got plastigauge till after I had ran it for a while....sigh, oh well, just read Johns signature, its my life story cry

SO, I found some springs American Classic Truck Parts and am considering getting them, cheaper than $120 a pair at Jim Carter. I'm going to get the heavy duty rear ones for the 1/2 ton 2WD, but the only heavy duty fronts without drop are for a 3/4 ton. What I need to know is if the 3/4 tons will fit my truck???

I'm not sure, but I think these current springs have run there course, they just look fat and short, and 2 of the springs actually have coils touching each other, like they're welded together or something. Don't know if they came from the factory like that or if they're just that screwed up, I can probably get a pic or two tomorrow, it's raining water buffalo and panda bears at the moment, and if I went outside i'm pretty sure there is a riptide in my drive way. I'll just wait till morning.

BTW, i was looking at how my spring mounts (holders, whatever the plates are bolted at either end of the spring) are attached to the frame, and I don't think I would be able to put a spacer between the mount and where the spring begins anyway

Last edited by 1965 Chevy C10; 12/25/2009 7:32 AM.

3 Speed Or No Speed

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American Classic does have a very good price and do support this site, so I say go for them. But why heavy duty, are you going to use this truck for work? Joe

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Well, in the summer I tow boats around the island, for work or for fun. I have no drop or sag from say a 15' or 21' whaler, but my next project is moving a 25' Southwestern. I've accepted that my drum brakes will catch on fire if I attempt to stop, I just want it to sag as little as possible. My trucks really bouncy. I've been outside looking at it while somebody packed a dip can inside it, it shook back and forth! It shakes when people laugh inside it!


3 Speed Or No Speed

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Originally Posted by 1965 Chevy C10
.....I've accepted that my drum brakes will catch on fire if I attempt to stop....

Please post a pic of your truck so we know to stay out of your way. I would seriously upgrade your brakes.

if your truck is bouncy, that is a dampening issue, stiffening the spring rate will only make it that much worse. you need progressively wound coil springs - that way, you get a good ride unloaded, and they only set a small bit when loaded.


The problems we face today can not be addressed at the same level of intelligence we were at when we created them - Albert Einstein Or with the same level of $ - Me

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