In my limited knowledge, cutting a spring removes the designed tapered end of the coil which curves towards flat. This puts a higher stress point on the area of the spring which transitions from the perch to the air. From what I remember, this was a popular “cheap” mod which was known for a relatively high rate of failure. The purists avoided it.
How Low Can We Go: Thoughts After 1 Week of Driving on a Rear Set of 40mm Lowering Springs
- Thread starter LostInTransit
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Coil springs are very complicated suspension parts, lots of math goes into building them. The only springs I ever had that did what they were suppose to do are the ones made by BMR.. I bought two inch lowering springs for my 69 elcamino and decided to try the BMR offerings from some good press.. They went right on and put my 69 el Camino exactly two inches lower then stock. If you look in the manual they show you were and how to measure the suspension. They were dead nuts on and after two years there still dead on..
The ride is excellent.
The ride is excellent.
I think it’s a cool project.
For all the naysayers, this is basic hot rodding. Who cares that it’s a van, the first “hot rods” were never “intended” for that either. Meanwhile Speedkore is making a Hellcat Pacifica, with an appropriately named “Lilith” package that cranks the horsepower to 1,514. BoostedBoiz have their 1996 Honda “Rowdyssey” making 1,000hp. The man ain’t hurting nobody, let him enjoy it.
For all the naysayers, this is basic hot rodding. Who cares that it’s a van, the first “hot rods” were never “intended” for that either. Meanwhile Speedkore is making a Hellcat Pacifica, with an appropriately named “Lilith” package that cranks the horsepower to 1,514. BoostedBoiz have their 1996 Honda “Rowdyssey” making 1,000hp. The man ain’t hurting nobody, let him enjoy it.
I know I shouldn't have done it but I did it any way ! That is why I am not an Airline pilot.
There is NO reason to do this. If you want your van lowered, just increase your kill rate and you'll have more bodies compressing the suspension... or haul around a load of dirt or something... yeah, ossifer, it's dirt in those bags I have duct taped tight.
j/k, but, it's silly to equate a lowered van to a sports car. The main criteria for sports car is a lower center of gravity. Some will disagree. That's fine on a straight line drag strip but not so much driving roads with curves and lane changes.
At the same time, if you don't haul loads, then I wonder why a van in the first place, but I support your effort to do what you want to your own property, as long as it's well thought out and doesn't pose a danger to other drivers. I just don't have any reassurance that it doesn't, since not tested with a large sample size, so I feel like you are missing an opportunity here.
If you really like the better handling from dropping a van a little, and aren't hauling loads so that doesn't matter, you really need to look at replacing it with a lower center of gravity, lighter duty vehicle that comes from the factory already set up for better handling. No?????
Houseboat racing could be fun... as long as you don't actually live on it, and all participants can swim well.
j/k, but, it's silly to equate a lowered van to a sports car. The main criteria for sports car is a lower center of gravity. Some will disagree. That's fine on a straight line drag strip but not so much driving roads with curves and lane changes.
At the same time, if you don't haul loads, then I wonder why a van in the first place, but I support your effort to do what you want to your own property, as long as it's well thought out and doesn't pose a danger to other drivers. I just don't have any reassurance that it doesn't, since not tested with a large sample size, so I feel like you are missing an opportunity here.
If you really like the better handling from dropping a van a little, and aren't hauling loads so that doesn't matter, you really need to look at replacing it with a lower center of gravity, lighter duty vehicle that comes from the factory already set up for better handling. No?????
Houseboat racing could be fun... as long as you don't actually live on it, and all participants can swim well.
Is this a Transit or a Transit connect?
Researching an unfamiliar process/service and proceeding with plenty of caution is always a good way to approach these types of unknowns. Kudos for that!
Having said that, this particular scenario is starting to feel like it’s been made overly complicated and thought about too much.
It’s pretty straightforward honestly. You already knew only one end could be cut, so identify and mark that end before making the cut with an angle grinder or hacksaw. Heck, even a Dremmel tool w/ a few cut-off wheels would suffice.
File down any sharp or jagged edges once the cut is complete, and it’s done. Grab a beer and celebrate!
Now, I guess it’s too late for my advice to do much good at this point, as it sounds like the job was just recently attempted and successfully completed. Nevertheless, the general concept has some merit I think - don’t fall victim to analysis paralysis, and don’t overly complicate something that isn’t that complicated.
And RV demolition derby.
Make rubber pad place it on top the spring, you can lift it back up by 10mm
I have cut springs (in my past), and it turned out pretty good. I had to upgrade to stiffer shocks to keep it from pogoing, as it will also stiffen the spring rate for the springs that you cut as well - many folks don't believe it, but it will give you a stiffer ride. Make sure to keep the steel cool while cutting to not change the temper, and round all your edges, maybe even grind a slight flat into where it meets the mount, and it works just fine.
What bunch of Debbie Downers... The guy wasn't asking to be critiqued, just wanting to share his project. Not everything is going to make sense to everyone. Does it affect you? Didn't think so. Don't worry about it. We should be happy that there still are people in the world who are willing and able to get their hands dirty. Support them, don't cut them down!
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