Drop Coil Springs
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 43
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Drop Coil Springs
I just took delivery of a set of 2" drop coil springs for my 1966 F100 2WD V8. The springs are manufactured by a known company and sold through a well known parts supplier.
My question is rather simple.
I was surprised that the drop coil springs appear to be nothing more than stock springs with the top couple of coils cut off. The upper end is simply truncated as if cut with a hack saw, with the cut end sprayed with some flat black paint. With the stock springs, the upper coil is formed into a seating coil that provides almost 360 degrees of seating surface for the spring perch.
My question is whether or not this is sound spring engineering and a safe setup? The manufacturer is telling the supplier that this spring was manufactured specifically as a drop spring for this application. With drop springs being a popular modification, I would like to hear if others have purchased springs that look like the ones that I have described. My thinking is that if a new drop spring were manufactured specifically for this application, that the upper coil would be formed to look similar to the stock springs providing a good seat in the perch.
What do you guys think?
Thanks,
Mark
PS: I'll also post in the 1967-1972 forum
My question is rather simple.
I was surprised that the drop coil springs appear to be nothing more than stock springs with the top couple of coils cut off. The upper end is simply truncated as if cut with a hack saw, with the cut end sprayed with some flat black paint. With the stock springs, the upper coil is formed into a seating coil that provides almost 360 degrees of seating surface for the spring perch.
My question is whether or not this is sound spring engineering and a safe setup? The manufacturer is telling the supplier that this spring was manufactured specifically as a drop spring for this application. With drop springs being a popular modification, I would like to hear if others have purchased springs that look like the ones that I have described. My thinking is that if a new drop spring were manufactured specifically for this application, that the upper coil would be formed to look similar to the stock springs providing a good seat in the perch.
What do you guys think?
Thanks,
Mark
PS: I'll also post in the 1967-1972 forum
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Not something I would put on my truck. Before I would even consider it, I would want to know the spring rate and rate of compression.
A spring is engineered to handle a specific weight. it does that by spreading the load across all it's coils. Cut a few of those coils off, and the spring will sit lower, but it will also be less able to handle the weight of the truck.
And without a propper spring seat on the end, the tip of the spring is going to be supporting most of the weight of the truck. Depending on the stringth of your spring cup, it could eventualy poke a hole in it.
Lots of people do this for show cars, and weekend hotrods, but I wouldn't do it in something I wanted to drive much.
A spring is engineered to handle a specific weight. it does that by spreading the load across all it's coils. Cut a few of those coils off, and the spring will sit lower, but it will also be less able to handle the weight of the truck.
And without a propper spring seat on the end, the tip of the spring is going to be supporting most of the weight of the truck. Depending on the stringth of your spring cup, it could eventualy poke a hole in it.
Lots of people do this for show cars, and weekend hotrods, but I wouldn't do it in something I wanted to drive much.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, CO
And not really the way to properly drop the front of these twin-I beam trucks... I will venture to say it best to send 'em back and buy the drop beams. More expensive up front, but will save in the end and be more correct/safe.
--Mike
--Mike
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
Mike G -
Can you expound on the "right way to drop the front" statement? My thought was to try to find drop spindles and springs... I didn't know I had to get drop beams. I'd like my truck to ride like my first car - lower in the front, a bit jacked in the back. Guess I could use some help on the right process.
Thanks
Can you expound on the "right way to drop the front" statement? My thought was to try to find drop spindles and springs... I didn't know I had to get drop beams. I'd like my truck to ride like my first car - lower in the front, a bit jacked in the back. Guess I could use some help on the right process.
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I haven't seen any drop spindles for a twin Ibeam. He's right, dropping the front with just springs will give you negative camber. A little is ok, but it eats tires faster. The right way to do it is with a set of dropped Ibeams. The keep the original springs and suspension geometry, so your ride is the same, but sit lower.
As for the back, there are a number of ways to jack it up. the best maybe to replace your springs with lifted. With the power these trucks make, spacer blocks are a bad Idea, unless you run ladder bars. New springs are cheeper than ladder bars.
As for the back, there are a number of ways to jack it up. the best maybe to replace your springs with lifted. With the power these trucks make, spacer blocks are a bad Idea, unless you run ladder bars. New springs are cheeper than ladder bars.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, CO
Originally Posted by mjunk1
Mike G -
Can you expound on the "right way to drop the front" statement? My thought was to try to find drop spindles and springs... I didn't know I had to get drop beams. I'd like my truck to ride like my first car - lower in the front, a bit jacked in the back. Guess I could use some help on the right process.
Thanks
Can you expound on the "right way to drop the front" statement? My thought was to try to find drop spindles and springs... I didn't know I had to get drop beams. I'd like my truck to ride like my first car - lower in the front, a bit jacked in the back. Guess I could use some help on the right process.
Thanks
--Mike
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
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Drop Coil Springs Continued
Yes but does anyone have any other opinions about the springs that I bought? Regardless if I use them or not, I would like to know if others have seen new springs manufactured as I have described.
BTW, is Po Boys still manufacturing Drop I Beams? they always looked like stock, but dropped.
Thanks,
Mark
BTW, is Po Boys still manufacturing Drop I Beams? they always looked like stock, but dropped.
Thanks,
Mark
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
The springs you purchased sound like standard production type springs cut off like you drescribe and touched up. This will work, but have the previously mentioned drawbacks. Another drawback is the reduced travel to your bumpstops. Make sure they are in good shape or you will have jolting metal to metal contact. I'm running some F250 coils w/ a coil cut out. I like this better than the lower rate F100 springs which bottomed out frequently. Tire wear remains excellent and even. It's' a bit stiffer ride but mine is still a working truck.
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