Sits way too high...

Well finally got the car back together and driving! The only problem is the car now sits way to high with all the bumper and AC weight taken off. The question is what is the best way to cut the springs, how much to take off for a good ride height, do they have to be taken out to do it, etc... Any and all suggestions would be appreciated! This is a V8 car.

 

Hello William:
I removed the springs and clamped it in a vice and cut the spring with a Die Grinder with a cutting wheel.
I took ONE COIL out of my springs and the height was great on TWO cars . You'll probably read several more opinions on how many or not . Anyway .. that's my take on it . I wish you success.
Cometized
(Chip)

 

I would never cut springs just my opion Must be someone who makes some aftermarket spring like H&R to lower your ride height?

Car Looks great Really like the color !!

 

Thanks chip! I'm kinda dreading having to pull the springs back out, I just got the car back together and aligned! I was thinking around one coil should be enough, glad to hear it was in the ball park. 71mav I appreciate it! I was first hesitant on the color but it came out great! I might consider new springs, anyone have any suggestions?

 

Also chip I will probably head up your way some time in December, need to dial in the car more and actually get a day off!

 

Car does look really nice, William. I am facing the same dilemma. Ditched big bumpers, A/C and a LOT of iron on the engine. I used new 6 cyl springs and cut a half a coil out of them. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

Wouldn't 6 cylinder springs, plus a cut coil put it too low? I'd be afraid of speed bumps! But I would be actually pretty interested to see how that comes out! But thanks, been working pretty hard on it for the past year and a half.

 

I have bought new springs and STILL had to cut a coil off. I would do as suggested and cut ONE coil off each one. When you do....you will need to get it aligned again.

 

Makes sense, good thing I got the plan I did then. Now this is probably a dumb question, but can you remove the spring with out disassembling the front suspension. When I last did it I was rebuilding everything so it was all apart anyways. I would really like to avoid that...

 

did you leave the front end loose and tighten everything after you set it on the ground?

 

I also used poly coil spring insulators which are thicker and don't compress as much as the rubber ones. This has to be taken in account when removing sections of the coil.

 

No, the rebuild was done while the engine and trans were out. Everything was tightened before they were placed back in. But at the alignment the lca and others points were loosened. But what would keep it up that high? Rotorr that would make sense if you are adding a bit of height. I just used the normal rubber on mine. Now I am using the roller spring perches, but I don't believe that would affect the spring height any?

 

After front end rebuild and alu headed 5.0 swap mine was high as well, I've swapped in a new set of 8088 TRW springs for '70-'72 6cyl(those are the lightest stock replacement springs avail)... There is a good shot taken just after swap in my signature links, I believe it's settled maybe 1/4 to 3/8" since then...

 

I have 6cyl. AC springs on my car, don't sit anything like ur car. I don't think the 6cyl terminology has a lot to do w/ where ur ride height lands -- Spring rate, I believe is the determining factor in ride comfort, ride height etc.
My car had new springs on it when I got it, but had to almost come to complete stop on speed humps and low driveways; not to mention stiff ride. PO had cut coil/s, not sure to what degree. I replace them w/ new set of Moog's, speed humps less of an issue, ride comfort much improved, low driveways - not much of a concern. Maybe some vendor sent u springs for wrong car; just can't see a set for our cars sitting the car that high. If I looked at that car, I wud think it did not have a drive train. You cud change oil w/o jacking the car up.

 

I'm using roller perches as well. Makes no difference in ride height.