Lowering rear of A-Body

[Mr Nick]

Quick question, I have Hotchkis rear coils and Global West front coils on my 69 Cutlass.

I'd like to lower it a bit more, by cutting the coils. (I hope that statement doesn't start a war :machine:)

I know the proper way to cut coils, so I'm not worried about that.

My question is, how do I lower the back? The rear coils have pigtails on both ends, so if I cut them I don't think they will seat properly.

Thanks,
Nick

[MrQuick]

Ok the front you have figured. Remember a little at a time.

The rear is going to be more work or money. Either buy the proper spring or modify the upper and/or the lower mounting points.

I would suggest buying the proper spring. Lower the front to your desired height then with the use of spring clamps lower the rear to your desired height. Then measure the springs and order the correct ones needed. You can get them in 11" 12" and 13" lengths.

[Tiger]

hey Nick,

here is what I did on my chevelle, it worked flawlessely for years.
I found some stiffer springs out of a station wagon (if I remember well), then I cut them to the desired lenght (differentely from the front the rear springs have a 1:1 ratio, if you cut one inch it will lower one inch). after that I heated one coil of the springs dark cherry red with a torch and bent them into a pig tail end and stuffed them into a sand barrel to make them cool of slowly.

[Mr Nick]

Thanks for the info guys.

Andre- I'm not sure how I feel about heating and bending the coils, but I fully understand what you did.

MrQuick- Getting new springs sounds a let better to me then modifying my stock spring mounting locations. I like your idea of clamping my current springs and going from there.

I plan on squeezing 295-45-17 tires on the back, so backspacing and ride height have to be spot on!

[Tiger]

I still have the springs that I would sell together with the front springs but ofcourse they are here in Italy and shipping would be prohibitive.

[Yelcamino]

You could also get a pair of Air Ride rear bags for $299 from Summit and have infinate height adjustment. I have them on both of my cars (rear only) and it allows me to tailor the rear ride height according to load.