shocks and lowering

[muleystruck]

Hello,all. I want to lower my 86 longbed Scottsdale. Ive purchased the lowering shackles for the rear and thought about cutting the front coils. I only want to lower my truck a couple inches all around. I see that I should cut the bottom of the springs for the fronts. Is this really a good idea or do I need to get lowering springs?
As I said 2 inches is gonna be perfect for me. Also will I need a different shock from stock (needs these, too)? I appreciate your help.  Muley

[SkinnyG]

With that small a drop, you can still use your existing shocks.

Cutting the front coils is perfectly fine.  One full coil should be good, and it will still seat properly in the spring pocket.  Yes, you cut the bottom.

[boulky12]

I'm in the process of lowering my truck just a couple inches all around as well.

For the back I got the 2 inch shackles from autozone for 40 bucks.

And for the front I got 2 inch lowering springs I got from ebay for 80 bucks free shipping.

[tumleweed]

For 2 " in the front you can cut 2 4x4's 2" shorter the the height of the front bumper and stand them up under the bumper on each side and heat the springs until it set's down on the 4x4's. Heat the spring slow and let it air cool... easy

[boulky12]

For 2 " in the front you can cut 2 4x4's 2" shorter the the height of the front bumper and stand them up under the bumper on each side and heat the springs until it set's down on the 4x4's. Heat the spring slow and let it air cool... easy

Lmao

[79 Royal Sierra]

As stated above, please dont heat up the coils. My brother did that on a few trucks, man they rode and drove like crap. I have a 79 lwb, and I too wanted to lower it just a few inches. I am going to use shackles in the rear and either cut a full coil off the front or buy a set of 1 ton springs and cut a few coils. With that it should not ride rough at all, and still use stock shocks, like Monroes from Oreillys or Napa. Good luck and keep us posted

[boulky12]

As stated above, please dont heat up the coils. My brother did that on a few trucks, man they rode and drove like crap. I have a 79 lwb, and I too wanted to lower it just a few inches. I am going to use shackles in the rear and either cut a full coil off the front or buy a set of 1 ton springs and cut a few coils. With that it should not ride rough at all, and still use stock shocks, like Monroes from Oreillys or Napa. Good luck and keep us posted

Why not just buy a new set of drop coils instead of new stock coils AND cutting them?

My 2 in drop coils ride good. No complaints at all.

[86square]

I'm also looking into replacing front shocks any suggestions on what lowering shocks to use?
Does autozone carry any we can use?

[SkinnyG]

Why not just buy a new set of drop coils instead of new stock coils AND cutting them?

Could look at the difference in price.

In my experience and opinion with other vehicles (I cannot speak to the squarebody), many OEM-style lowering springs are too soft for the amount of drop they provide.  I bought 1-ton (big block?) coil springs for mine, and trimmed them to the specific height I wanted it to be.  Initially I had trimmed the factory springs, but they were too soft at that height.

[79 Royal Sierra]

Skinny, you hit it right on the head. The half ton springs have a tendency to bounce when cut. I dont know my truck is a factory HD package so the front springs might be the HD versions that can stand to a cutting. I have heard nothing but good things from guys that use the 1 ton springs and cut those.