Question about cutting coil springs

I bought a set of 1 in. drop front coil springs for my 71 maverick (V-8). Its not setting as low as I would like. I want to go 1 1/2 to 2 inches lower.
Would like to know how much to cut off. I was thinking 1 coil

 

With the car on the ground with full weight, you can measure the distance between the coils. That will give you a rough idea how much 1 coil will drop the car. Still, speaking from experience dont cut more than 1/2 of a coil at a time.

 

Tim, welcome to the one of the greatest Mav/Comet sites on the internet. Cant answer your question about cutting springs but if you cut a coil and it is too much I can help you out with more springs.

Where are you in Oregon? I am over here on the coast in Tillamook but spend most my weekends at the dragstrip in Woodburn.

 

I live in Harrisburg, I grew up in Florence.
I go to Woodburn about twice a year, If I mess up these springs I may need more.....

 

Thanks Mavahalic

 

I cut 1 coil off of stock 250 six cylinder coils, and mine is just right for me. I agree with mavaholic, better to cut a little at a time than cut too much and be sorry.......

 

I ended up doing three separate cuts before I was happy with mine.

This question cannot be answered definitively....there is no "correct" answer. Each brand and model of spring has it's own "personality". Mine were VERY tall, they were Heavy Duty springs from JC Whitney, made for 4X4 and had only 6 or 7 coils while being 4 or 6" taller than stock springs. I only had to cut 1-1/2 coils off to get an acceptable ride height, but on my stock springs, they had 12-15 coils and I would have had to cut up to 3 coils off to get the same height.

 

Also keep in mind that you can go only so low by cutting springs. Any lower, and you risk damage to the ball joints...

 

good point, not to mention bump-steer issues. good luck to you.

 

when i cut my 1 coil off.. it dropped my car 1.5"

 

Thanks for all the great info. I cut one round off and Dropped about 1.5''- still to high
so I cut off 1/2 round more and the little lady got home and got stuck doing my HONEY DO list. Will get them in this weakend.
I hope this isn't to much to mess up the ball joints?
What do you guys think

 

Well, let's see a pic...

 

i would have told you too cut off 1-1/2 coil right off the bat.

my 2 cents http://www.maverickman.com/Suspension.html

end of post.

 

Why do you guys cut the springs instead of buying shorter springs??? Is it that simple to do cut off wheel on a grinder or plasma torch??? Looking to lower the front on my mav. soon and trying to decide what to do.

 

Because cutting coils is free. Buying shorter springs is not, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a set of shorter springs for a Maverick anyway.

Use a cut-off wheel or a Sawz-All. I don't recommend torches or applying heat to springs....