[53belair]

whats the cheapest way to lower the front end of a 1986 chevy/gmc 1500?
we're gunna lower the rear 5 inches and we wanna give the truck an evened out look
the rear is gunna have the axle flipped on top of the leaf springs

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Cheapest way is the old hotrodders trick of heated or cut coils.

Quicky way is to set blocks under frame at height you want. Fire up hot wrench and heat front coils till truck sags down to limit. NOT pretty, not great on springs or ride. But works. Ask any old Car Geezer

[53belair]

so is cutting the springs a good idea?
and how many coils would i have to cut off?

[chieftain]

Cutting springs does work, not the best method, but you said cheapest. Generally 1 coil equals about 2". You will have to find some differant shocks because the stock length ones will be bottomed out.
I wouldn't cut with a torch, use either a cut off wheel on a die grinder or hacksaw/sawzall.

[TailGater]

Originally Posted by BOBCRMAN@aol.com

Cheapest way is the old hotrodders trick of heated or cut coils.

Quicky way is to set blocks under frame at height you want. Fire up hot wrench and heat front coils till truck sags down to limit. NOT pretty, not great on springs or ride. But works. Ask any old Car Geezer

If you do it this way dont forget the blocks! First time I tried that technique we forgot the blocks, as soon as the spring heated up the car dropped till the shocks bottomed out classic "Doh!" moment.

I'd suggest looking into a set of dropped spindles for your truck. If i recall correctly the rear on those trucks is about 2" higher then the front so with a 5" drop in the rear you need to lower the front about 3". I think if you take 3" out of the coils you wont be very happy with the way the truck rides. I believe LMC Truck carries a 2" dropped spindle for your truck and then you would only need to take an inch or so out of your coils. Its not the cheapest way but its another option for you to consider.

Chris

[39 chev]

I have cut the coils on half a dozen chevy trucks, cutting one full coil will lower the front 3". depending on what wheels you run,you may rub a little on the lower control arm on a sharp turn,but this was never a problem on my trucks. I have never had any problems with front end alignment,there is plenty of room for shims to set caster and camber.