Coil spring swap... updated with results
#1903356
08/31/15 07:02 PM
08/31/15 07:02 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,886 Bowling Green KY / Nashville, ...
300by500
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,886
Bowling Green KY / Nashville, ...
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I'm lowering my '84 D350 Crew- not ground-scraping low, just enough that it doesn't look stock. I already modified the rear spring hanger to lower the rear about 2 to 2-1/2 inches, and I plan on relocating the front hanger for an additional inch.
On the front springs I've been doing some investigating. The Moog stock HD D350 spring shows these specs: .90 bar diameter / 13.13 installed height / 1725 lbs / 1144lbs-inch. The Moog #7170 stock D250 spring shows these specs: .810 bar diameter / 10.5 installed height / 1815 lbs / 845 lbs-inch.
From these measurements I''m assuming I'll get a more comfortable ride, and I should end up with just over 2-1/2 inch drop just from the difference in installed height (my D350 has pocketed lower control arms), and approximately one more inch additional drop due to the difference in spring rate, for a total of about 3-1/2 inches.
I don't have much experience with this sort of thing, and just thought I would get opinions from folks who may have done something similar. Weird that the total capacity of each D250 spring is rated 90 lbs. higher than each D350 spring...
Last edited by 300by500; 09/15/15 11:21 AM.
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Re: Coil spring swap opinions...
[Re: 300by500]
#1905846
09/03/15 07:45 PM
09/03/15 07:45 PM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,920 Joplin, MO USA
Robbins
master
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master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,920
Joplin, MO USA
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Cool stuff....thanks for sharing. Hey......please post pictures....
Last edited by Robbins; 09/04/15 12:29 AM.
Moparlee
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Re: Coil spring swap opinions...
[Re: Robbins]
#1912899
09/15/15 11:36 AM
09/15/15 11:36 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,886 Bowling Green KY / Nashville, ...
300by500
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Bowling Green KY / Nashville, ...
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Okay, for better or worse - this is what happened. Here are the new and old coil side-by-side.... The result was a little more drop than I anticipated. When I finished it was resting on the bump stops. I trimmed them an inch and it was no longer resting on them. I like the look, but for all practical purposes it is a little too low. I have two options now - First I'm gonna try a spring rubber to raise it 1 to 1-1/2" and I'll see if the ride is decent. If that doesn't work I'll cut the stock springs and reinstall them. Could be that my truck squatted more than a single-cab D350 would have. I'm sure the bigger frame and extra weight of the cab adds quite a few pounds. I guess life is a learning experience - sometimes we learn what NOT to do! LOL! Just thought I'd let everyone know how it turned out.
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Re: Coil spring swap opinions...
[Re: 300by500]
#1912982
09/15/15 01:26 PM
09/15/15 01:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,886 Bowling Green KY / Nashville, ...
300by500
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Bowling Green KY / Nashville, ...
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Pretty sure I'm just going to cut a coil out of the old springs, and reinstall them along with D350 shocks.
If anyone needs a brand new set of D250 non-pocket LCA coil springs and shocks, PM me and I'll make you a good deal! LOL!
Last edited by 300by500; 09/15/15 05:06 PM.
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Re: Coil spring swap opinions...
[Re: 300by500]
#1917021
09/21/15 09:28 PM
09/21/15 09:28 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,267 North, Alabama
D-50
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,267
North, Alabama
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When you cut a coil does it make the spring rate stiffer or is it the same as before. The reason I ask is I have a D50 with a V8 that I want to lower some in the front and it also needs to be a little stiffer. I have not seen any springs except stock.
Last edited by D-50; 09/21/15 09:29 PM.
1.33 60 ft,6.21 at 110.59 in the 1/8, pump gas small block,2950lbs,drag radials,mufflers and driven to track ...
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Re: Coil spring swap opinions...
[Re: dogdays]
#1919104
09/24/15 10:10 PM
09/24/15 10:10 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,267 North, Alabama
D-50
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,267
North, Alabama
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Cutting active coils on a coil spring increases the spring rate. Think of a coil spring as a torsion bar that's been wrapped around a cylinder.
R. Does that mean that if I cut maybe a half a coil off it will lower it and be a little stiffer in the front also ?
1.33 60 ft,6.21 at 110.59 in the 1/8, pump gas small block,2950lbs,drag radials,mufflers and driven to track ...
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Re: Coil spring swap opinions... updated - done!
[Re: Cooter]
#1919258
09/25/15 01:54 AM
09/25/15 01:54 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,886 Bowling Green KY / Nashville, ...
300by500
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OP
master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,886
Bowling Green KY / Nashville, ...
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Well, I took the light-duty D250 stuff out and cut my D350 springs 1-1/4 coils. It was STILL too low! So I got another used set of D350 coils, cut them 3/4 of a coil, and ended up right where I wanted it to be. The bottom pic was last summer, top pic was tonight. With the relocated rear leaf shackle mount I ended up about 3" lower, front and rear. I also swapped on the brackets and new later-model bumper today. Ride doesn't seem much different, it ain't no New Yorker! LOL!
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Re: Coil spring swap opinions... updated - done!
[Re: 300by500]
#1922500
09/30/15 02:52 PM
09/30/15 02:52 PM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,920 Joplin, MO USA
Robbins
master
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master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,920
Joplin, MO USA
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Hey are you running a front sway bar on this? Couldn't talk in to some pictures of it can I? Thanks. Also if you don't mind what size tires are those?
Moparlee
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Re: Coil spring swap opinions... updated - done!
[Re: 300by500]
#1925453
10/04/15 10:48 AM
10/04/15 10:48 AM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,920 Joplin, MO USA
Robbins
master
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master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,920
Joplin, MO USA
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Sorry I would like some pics of the front end...if ya don't mind.
Moparlee
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