• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Cutting 2WD Coil Springs...


doorgunner

Lab Rat for V.A. hospital
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
MTOTM Winner
2009 Truck of The Year
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Oct 22, 2008
Messages
12,784
Reaction score
516
Points
113
Location
New Orleans (8' below sea level & sinking)
Vehicle Year
1934/1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
350+1
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
N/A
Total Drop
3/4
Tire Size
23570R15
My credo
JESUS Loves Ya!
Update: After cutting the coil springs to save some money, to lower my truck 3 inches in the front & 2 years & 30,000 miles......I have come to the conclusion that cutting the coils is NOT the way to go (in the long run....just like everybody said).

The ride is rougher...the suspension bottoms out every day...after two years, it's getting OLD!


Time for a lowering kit & some new coil springs!


(the good news is....I'm sure of the 3 inch ride height that I want it to have!)
 
Last edited:


Polk

New Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2010
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Ann Arbor, MI
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Size
2.3l
Transmission
Manual
Cutting for a 3" drop is a lot! I cut about 7/8 of a coil off mine and got about 1 3/4" drop. I find the spring rate just about right. Originally the front springs were too soft, making the front and rear suspension feel very unbalanced (yes, I realize it is a pickup, but even for a pickup it was unbalanced). I think the ride is better with the cut coils. I cut about 1" off the bump stops and only hit them if I go over speed bumps too quickly. The stock front shocks were too soft with the stock springs and are over powered with the cut springs. I expect that when I replace them with something a little stiffer the ride will improve more and the bump stops will see even less action. I would definitely cut coils again.

I am not trying to say you are wrong, I am just providing my experience with cut coils. Maybe cutting is only good for mild drops like I have done.
 

doorgunner

Lab Rat for V.A. hospital
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
MTOTM Winner
2009 Truck of The Year
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Oct 22, 2008
Messages
12,784
Reaction score
516
Points
113
Location
New Orleans (8' below sea level & sinking)
Vehicle Year
1934/1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
350+1
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
N/A
Total Drop
3/4
Tire Size
23570R15
My credo
JESUS Loves Ya!
That's my guess also.......(sorry about the late reply)
 

dniksch

New Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2011
Messages
38
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Automatic
POLK.... How or which way do you measure for 7/8 to cut??? thanks I cut the top part of the coil about one full revolution. from the top end around one full curve. is that correct? I only want upto 2 inches in the front.
 
Last edited:

tempforce

Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2007
Messages
84
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
central texas
Vehicle Year
83
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.2
Transmission
Manual
use drop spindles, that way you won't be driving around with the tires angled... or weakened suspension.
if you don't like the spring tension, get different springs..

cheap = accident waiting to happen.
that doesn't mean you have to buy the expensive top $$$ parts, just quality parts.
 
Last edited:

slammedxonair

Member
Joined
May 1, 2009
Messages
488
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Vermilion, OH
Vehicle Year
91 and 00
Make / Model
ford
Transmission
Automatic
There are no drop spindles produced for any year ranger.... DJM 3" beams or Belltech 2" coils are the best ways to lower an Ibeam ranger.
 

doorgunner

Lab Rat for V.A. hospital
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
MTOTM Winner
2009 Truck of The Year
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Oct 22, 2008
Messages
12,784
Reaction score
516
Points
113
Location
New Orleans (8' below sea level & sinking)
Vehicle Year
1934/1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
350+1
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
N/A
Total Drop
3/4
Tire Size
23570R15
My credo
JESUS Loves Ya!
There are no drop spindles produced for any year ranger.... DJM 3" beams or Belltech 2" coils are the best ways to lower an Ibeam ranger.
yep!
 

Polk

New Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2010
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Ann Arbor, MI
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Size
2.3l
Transmission
Manual
POLK.... How or which way do you measure for 7/8 to cut??? thanks I cut the top part of the coil about one full revolution. from the top end around one full curve. is that correct? I only want upto 2 inches in the front.
I am estimating that I cut 7/8 of a turn off the top of the springs. It was more than 3/4 and less than a full turn. I did it in two steps. The first step I cut about 3/4 of a coil, wanted a small amount more, so I cut just a small segment more off each coil. I cut off the tops of the springs.
 

RangerSVT

Oct 09 OTOTM
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
7,883
Reaction score
53
Points
48
Location
TRS since 2002 - NW KY
Vehicle Year
19962002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
GT-40 5.0L EFI W/AC
Transmission
Automatic
Dg, I would get a set of drop beams, this will give your 3" drop, and stock coil springs will give you a more satisfying stockish ride, and have you hunting for your meds that get dropped from them hard bumps less often :icon_thumby:

SVT
 

doorgunner

Lab Rat for V.A. hospital
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
MTOTM Winner
2009 Truck of The Year
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Oct 22, 2008
Messages
12,784
Reaction score
516
Points
113
Location
New Orleans (8' below sea level & sinking)
Vehicle Year
1934/1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
350+1
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
N/A
Total Drop
3/4
Tire Size
23570R15
My credo
JESUS Loves Ya!
Dg, I would get a set of drop beamscheck!, this will give your 3" dropcheck!, and stock coil springs will give you a more satisfying stockish ridecheck!, and have you hunting for your meds that get dropped from them hard bumps less often dbl-check!:icon_thumby:

SVT
:icon_surprised:
 

wvranger90

New Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Apr 1, 2011
Messages
45
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
capon bridge wv
Vehicle Year
2000,2002,1978
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.9,4.0,4.0
Transmission
Manual
alot easier to put drop beams under it
 

RangerSVT

Oct 09 OTOTM
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
7,883
Reaction score
53
Points
48
Location
TRS since 2002 - NW KY
Vehicle Year
19962002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
GT-40 5.0L EFI W/AC
Transmission
Automatic
Btw DG, if you haven't already got those drop beams, make sure you get a pair for 89-97, then make a trip to the junkyard and grab a pair of 95-97 knuckles, spindles, Rotors and calipers so you can bolt on better brakes with the dual piston calipers :icon_thumby:

SVT
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top