Help cutting front coils

bateman

bateman

Active member
Never done this before and none of the threads I’ve dug up have been real specific. The coil is “squared off” on both ends so that it sits flush at the mounting areas.

Do I just cut at the top and let the rubber absorb the high point? I’m cutting one coil off the fronts on a 2g 2500 to be specific. Any insight would be appreciated.
 
Guess I didn’t run across much info on that or wasn’t searching the right words. Seemed like several were cutting one full coil to get a couple inches lower.

Is the 1500 spring not super soft? Any idea how much lower those would sit?

I will try to do some more research. I appreciate the help.
 
Thanks. So I’ve read that thread and the first and third link are both cut coils. The second link is 1/2 ton coils but he says he ran a spacer as well. It still looks real damn low. Just can’t seem to find any other info on ride or other pics to show how low it sits.

I’m not looking to slam the truck or anything like that. Just a couple inches below stock and 2 leafs in the back with a smaller block to level.
 
Of course 75% of the pics don’t show up on any forum nowadays haha but I’ve been digging up old shit on this site and reading for years.

I remember JeffreyWeeks did a half ton swap and his truck did not look that low.

This is about the only site I can even click on without feeling I’m wasting my time. According to CF or some of the other forums a half ton frame will twist from Cummings torque! The springs are way too soft and could never hold the engine up bla bla. There’s just not a ton of trustworthy info out there on some topics and these 12v’s ain’t near as popular as they were back during Comp D’S haydays

I appreciate the help tho fellas
 
I tried the 1/2 ton coils and didnt care for them, i ended up with cab and chassis springs that was setup for a plow. cut 1.5 coils off and worked for me. the spring rate goes up as coils are are cut.....so a stiff spring with less coils became stiffer, i didn't want to bottom out. 1.5 coils drops it quite a bit, how much are you looking to drop it? i can take a measurement if you want.... the lower arms are parallel with the ground at 1.5 coils if that helps. 02 short bed extended cab...
 
T man thanks for the info. If you could get a pic that would be great.

I think a couple inches below stock would be good. I don’t want to be on the bump stops on these back roads.
 
T-MAN said:
I tried the 1/2 ton coils and didnt care for them, i ended up with cab and chassis springs that was setup for a plow. cut 1.5 coils off and worked for me. the spring rate goes up as coils are are cut.....so a stiff spring with less coils became stiffer, i didn't want to bottom out. 1.5 coils drops it quite a bit, how much are you looking to drop it? i can take a measurement if you want.... the lower arms are parallel with the ground at 1.5 coils if that helps. 02 short bed extended cab...
Click to expand...


I thought the dodge springs weren't multi rate?
 
I bought a rolling chassis for the 3.55 axles so I’ve got two sets of single cab 2500 springs. I’m just going to cut one full coil and see what happens. If I hate it I’ll try something else. At this point it’s free and my truck is already on jackstands with no axles under it so might as well change it up.

Going to go with two leafs in the rear with a 2” or so block and some Caltracs.
 
I will post pics for sure. Have plenty of before pictures too. Was on 35 12.50s. Got some new 285’s to throw on.

Going with some tower deletes and the bilsteins that are recommended for them. Then it’s time for a party under the hood.
 
You could put some heat to one of coils, I've done it before, cooled off with oily rags. Some old school lowering.
 
Them bitches is cut. Used a cut off wheel and hit em with a flap disc to smooth it up just in case stress risers or anything like that are a thing with coils.

The control arms on the donor truck are being a mofo. 2 bolts stuck in the sleeve. About to put the sawzall to them and roll on.
 
Man I hope one full coil wasn’t too much but I doubt it. If free height difference is the same as with weight on it they will be about what I read. 2” lower.

I tagged the driver side spring because I’ve read they have different rates left to right. Unsure but can’t hurt to put them where they came from.
 

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Cutting coils is gonna make it ride stiffer, not a problem if you are okay with that.
 
Coming from blown shocks, blown bushings, a 2” level kit and bad ball joints I think it should ride a bit better haha. My buddy bought an identical yet bone stock truck and I was blown away how much better it rides. I do understand that it changed the rate of the spring though.

If it rides harsh I’ll just throw my stock coils in.
 
I’ve been ordering parts and getting ready to throw this truck together, but I still have some questions on this.

Cutting the coil top vs bottom. The coils are made to sit level at top and bottom right. With cutting one there is no longer a level area at the top. I’m thinking the pressure might be uneven now on the already weak 2nd gen coil buckets on my frame. Would it be better to cut the bottom so the metal buckets on the axle take the uneven force? Does it matter?
 
Thanks to T-man for advice on the front coils.

Now to find a 90° drill to drill out the frame. Typical Amazon shit when I order new control arms and the uppers come with a 14mm bolt hole like the 2000 and up trucks. Was going to send them back but I have got to get this truck going.

Maybe I will have some before and after pics soon.
 
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