Wanting to go lower

Fred 4/6

Member
Apr 24, 2013
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I was thinking about going from a 4/6 to like a 5/7 or 8. My question is up front I currently have 2 inch drop coils and 2 inch drop spindles, can I just cut my coils to drop it down? If so how much would the ride differ from now? And my tire size is 275-40-20 would that be fine to go that low on those tires? Thanks for any help guys.
 

Dakota

Dat Static 4wd
Mar 12, 2012
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texarkana
You can cut coils with no issues. Just use a cut-off wheel and keep the heat down. Using a torch or applying a lot of heat will change the spring rate and make it ride like shit. Keeping the heat low won't affect the spring rate and it will ride the same. Iirc 1/2 a coil = 1" but it might be 1/4 coil. One of the low 2wd guys will have to chime in.

As far as tires you should be just fine with 275/40s at 5/7-8. I ran them on my Tahoes at 7/9.5 and had very little rubbing. 6/9 they didn't rub.

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DV2000NJ

Active Member
May 24, 2012
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Keeping the heat low won't affect the spring rate and it will ride the same.

Cutting coils actually does increase the spring rate slightly. A coil spring is the same as a torsion bar (just wound into a circle), the "spring" comes from the twisting of the rod. If you shorten that rod (in this case, cutting the coil), the spring rate will increase.

But yes, if you get it too hot you will change the material properties and the spring rate.
 

Dakota

Dat Static 4wd
Mar 12, 2012
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texarkana
Ah gotcha. I didn't think it was affected as long as it wasn't heated. :shake:

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Fred 4/6

Member
Apr 24, 2013
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So in my case will the increased spring rate be bad? Sorry for the noob question I just want to make sure I'll still have a good ride by doing this, if not I'll just sit my happy ass down somewhere
 

Dakota

Dat Static 4wd
Mar 12, 2012
15,997
1,041
113
texarkana
Trimming an Inch, I don't think it'll be noticeable. Bgray trimmed his coils on his rcsb and Juan had his trimmed 2" or more on his ecsb. Don't recall either of them saying anything about a shitty ride but you could message them to find out for sure.

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