Cutting Coils

[herb101]

I've been toying with the idea of using some stock pull-offs from my son's truck to get the front end of the L down. I was surprised by how close the spring were to each other!

Here's the real data. I pulled the front suspension apart this weekend for some other work, so here is the side-by-side comparison of the L front coil (02) vs. the 97 F150 4.6 auto, 2wd reg cab, short bed flairside.





coil - SVT
Part # - SVT XL3V-5310-AA
Free Height - 13.8750"
# coils - 8
Spring diameter - 5.6171"
Wire diameter - 0.7734"

coil - F150
Part # - OIL F65A-5310-MA
Free Height - 14.1875"
# coils - 8
Spring diameter - 5.5781"
Wire diameter - 0.7813"

I'm gonna cut 'em :rocker: (the F-150's)

Herb

 

[JGS107]

do it and let me know how it comes out. i was toying with the idea too.

 

[JayL]

Don't do it. Spend the $$ and get a set of lowering springs.

 

[JJ@WMS]

Herb,

You may want to have the springs rated and see if the L springs are rated higher, I'm sure they are. Height has nothing to do with how the vehicle will sit once they are installed.

FWIW, I cut 1/2 of a coil out of both my stock front springs for lowering and got the desired height I was looking for and it rides great.

Eibachs suck in our trucks and the only lowering springs I install/use/sell are either the ground force or the RUSLOW specific rate springs.

Let me know how it turns out, also call me I have some info for you.

JJ@WMS

 

[lightninmike]

its not going to hurt anything if ya cut them so i say go for it
but i dont think thy will work for long as they are way thinner

 

[herb101]

Thanks for the thoughts on this.

The way I see it is "They're free, why not experiment?"

The F150 coil is 1% thicker wire, 0.7% smaller OD and 2.25% taller free height. The only remaining unmeasureable variables are the installed height and the material composition.

I think I'll put everything back together with the stock coils and finish the motor install. I'll drive a bit to settle them and then I'll then measure wheel center to fender lip and then swap in the uncut F150 coils, settle and measure. At that point I should have a pretty good idea of the differences and I can hack up the F150 coils and experiment. If I F-up too bad, I can always throw the stockers back in.

Herb

 

[203Cree]

That last sentence will be your saving grace. I don't think cut V6 Spring will hold too long on a V8 truck, but hey, like you said, they're free and you've always got the stockers, so I guess it's worth a shot.

Eibachs suck in our trucks and the only lowering springs I install/use/sell are either the ground force or the RUSLOW specific rate springs.

As far as that goes, I love the Belltech springs I'm runnin, it softened the ride up some but didn't really change the handling too much. I need some QA1's, but that's not a gig on the springs as much as it is the shocks.

 

[OH-MAN]

Do it Herb!

 

[LOKOSVT]

I cut mines one complete loop it leveled out with DJM 4" rear lowering kit. It makes the springs softer and at launch it leans back alot.

 

[LOKOSVT]

I can send some pics if you would like.

 

[herb101]

BTW - guys, they're not V6 springs. My son's truck is a 4.6 V8, so the difference will be pretty minimal between the 4.6 and 5.4 V8s.

Herb

 

[herb101]

I can send some pics if you would like.

If you dont mind Carlos, that would be great. I've got a set of Roush rear leafs going in and I also have a set of 2" shackles (on now) that I can use to 'tune' the rear height.

Herb

 

[203Cree]

my bad bro, I read 4.6 and thought V6 for some reason. I'm a dumbass.

 

[herb101]

Hey no sweat - 4.2L, 4.6L - what's half a bottle of soda amongst friends? :beer:

Herb

 

[LOKOSVT]

E-Mail address?

 

[herb101]

herbs at satx dot rr dot com

hacked up for spam fighting

Thanks,
Herb

 

[LOKOSVT]

I hope I got the address right.

 

[herb101]

Yep - and Damn sweet looking truck!! :rockon:

So that's stock coils minus one coil? I hope mine looks that sick! :beer:

Thanks for the shots!
Herb

 

[LOKOSVT]

Yes one complete loop off, just cut it with a die grinder.

 

[Fade 2 Black]

How much drop did you get with one coil cut off the stock springs? I can't get the pics to come up. Thanks.