Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Front springs....

  1. #1

    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    07-02-2013
    Posts
    35
    Location

    Alabama
    Vehicle

    1980 Dodge D-50
    Engine

    Dodge V8

    Front springs....

    I have a 1980 Dodge D50 that I drag race. I would like to lower the front of the truck about 1 inch. I was told if I cut a little off the coil spring to lower it , it would make the spring a little bit stiffer Is that correct?
    Attached Images

  2. #2


    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    01-16-2014
    Posts
    464
    Location

    Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle

    1991 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
    Engine

    4G64
    Cut half a coil off for about 1 inch. The spring rate will not change. It's still the same spring, just shorter.

  3. #3




    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    03-20-2011
    Posts
    4,851
    Location

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Vehicle

    1980 Dodge D-50
    Engine

    G54B
    For hAlf a coil cut, the spring won't get stiffer. Cut off more and its a different story
    Pennyman1
    The best Dodge that Dodge never made
    Living the D-50 lifestyle since 1980

  4. #4


    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    01-16-2014
    Posts
    464
    Location

    Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle

    1991 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
    Engine

    4G64
    The spring rate doesn't change no matter how much you cut off. It just gets shorter and the shock compresses making a stiffer ride.

  5. #5




    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    03-20-2011
    Posts
    4,851
    Location

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Vehicle

    1980 Dodge D-50
    Engine

    G54B
    Only if the coil spring is made to be cut - a regular spring gets stiffer as it gets shorter do to less material to support the load. It took a long time for me to understand it, but it is true. Its a material science thing.
    Pennyman1
    The best Dodge that Dodge never made
    Living the D-50 lifestyle since 1980

  6. #6


    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    01-16-2014
    Posts
    464
    Location

    Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle

    1991 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
    Engine

    4G64
    Spring rate is determined by the material, thickness of the winding, heat treatment, process, and a dozen other factors. By cutting it, you are only making it shorter. The spring rate does not change by it being shorter. The amount it compresses does not change by it being shorter. The structure does not change by it being shorter. The material does not change by it being shorter.... the list goes on. All you did was make it shorter. Changing geometry of your suspension, and compressing a shock further, will stiffen the ride. The material that determines the spring rate will not change just because you made it shorter by cutting off a turn or two.

    A perfect experiment would be taking a spring, cutting it, installing it, and taking a drive. It would feel stiffer because the shock is compressed further limiting it's travel and valving ability. If you space the shock out for longer travel, but kept the cut spring in there, the ride would improve. The spring rate didn't change, but you gained a softer ride.

    Same rules apply to suspension geometry. If your suspension hits it's binding point at X degrees, and the shorter spring made the suspension sit right at that point, or very close, you will get a stiffer ride as well.

    Point is, you can't change the rate of a spring by making it shorter. A progressive spring may change by removing portions, but not a regular spring and none of these trucks came with progressive rate coil springs.

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •