cutting coils?

[kunar]

i just got a really good deal on a set of skyjacker 4" lift coils (thank you jrmustranger) but strangely enough they are giving me more like 5" of lift. i actually only wanted 3" so i can still use my high rider ttb brackets. i was thinking about cutting one coil off the top but i was wondering if anybody has done this before and what the outcome was. i'm sure they will get slightly stiffer, which i can deal with. my main concern is that the top coil flattens out so it can seat in the coil bucket better and if i cut that coil off, there will be a bigger step where the spring ends. anybody got any ideas or suggestions? thanks...

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

cutting coils is generally frowned upon. you end up messing up your spring rate, and the heat from cutting can do bad things to the coil.

if i was in your shoes, i'd probably get ahold of a couple leveling coils and put spacers under them, that should get you between 2-3" of lift.

 

[predator]

i have heard of people cutting before......i'd say take your time and cut with a saw instead of a torch so you dont screw up the temper...

 

[rickcdewitt]

i've been wondering about this issue as well.i was thinking of cutting some 6-8" xj coils down to make them stiffer and give 4" in a ranger.less loops of coil is less travel right?i have some heep springs i might try later when i have the money for long travel $hock$.

 

[kunar]

i would be using a cutting wheel, not a torch, i know there will still be some heat but it wont be enough to make a difference. this is the 2nd set of 4" lift coils i have had and both times i have ended up with 5-6" of lift i was told the springs i have now have sagged to about 3" of lift but that was also in a truck with a 4.0 so it was a little more weight on the front. i drove it to work and back today (~60 miles) in hopes that they would sink a little but it didnt, atleast not much. i would like to take off about 2" so i think im gonna start by taking a half a coil off and go from there.

 

[kunar]

i cut exactly one coil off the top, then put a flat on the top of the spring. it sits almost exactly where i wanted it, and i havent noticed any problems at all. i read somewhere to only cut about 3/4 off compared to what you want your final result. then drive it and things will settle. mine moved about 1/2" after i drove it.

 

[rickcdewitt]

do you notice it being stiffer at all?

 

[beyonder]

I don't know about the states, but here in Canada cutting your coils is illegal. Dont remember exactly why, but it is.

 

[kunar]

do you notice it being stiffer at all?

none at all, although i only cut one coil off, of 10 total. if you are cutting more like 3 or 4 off your springs you may notice some difference.

 

[ZSK]

Unless you are cutting coils from a progressive rate spring your spring rate won't change. The spring rating will. Spring rate is the compression (LB) over a distance (in). The spring rating will change because it now has fewer coils to hold weight.

The ride will remain the same unless you are slamming into the bump stops.