The 1967-1972 Chevrolet trucks use the same suspension setup, with coil springs on all four corners. These coil springs control the ride height of the truck. If you want to lower your truck, one method is to cut the stock coils. This will decrease the load-carrying capacity of the coil, causing the truck to sit lower. This may take several hours to do, to find the height you want.
Tools Used: Jack, Jack stands, Tire iron, Wheel chocks, 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set, J hook, Needle-nose pliers, Replacement cotter pins, Open-end wrench set, 4 1/2-inch angle grinder, Metal cut-off wheel, Hearing protection, Eye protection
Front Suspension
Loosen all four wheels' lug nuts with the tire iron. Use the jack to put the truck on a set of four jack stands with the jack so that all four wheels are off of the ground. Take the wheels off the truck.
Unbolt the brake caliper from the Chevrolet truck's front spindle with a 3/8-inch ratchet and socket, and then hang the caliper on the frame with the j hook.
Unbolt the bottom of the shock absorber from the lower control arm using an open-end wrench and the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Lift up the jack until it touches the lower control arm. Take the cotter pin out of the lower control arm ball joint with the needle-nose pliers.
Unbolt the lower control arm from the spindle with an open-end wrench. Lower the jack until you can pull the coil out of the spring pocket.
Put on the eye protection and the hearing protection. Cut the coil to the amount you have decided on with the 4 1/2-inch angle grinder. Re-install the coil spring in the frame pocket and lift up the lower control arm until you can bolt the lower control arm to the spindle with an open-end wrench. Install the replacement cotter pin into the ball joint.
Re-install the shock to the lower control arm with an open-end wrench and the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Re-install the brake caliper to the spindle with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Re-install the front wheels with the tire iron.
Rear Suspension
Unbolt the coil spring retainer on the rear coil spring with an open-end wrench. Pull the coil spring out of the rear suspension.
Cut the coil to the amount you have decided on with the 4 1/2-inch angle grinder. Re-install the coil spring into the rear frame and bolt the coil spring retainer back onto the spring with an open-end wrench.
Reinstall the rear wheels with the tire iron. Lower the truck off of the jack stands with the jack. Drive the truck approximately 2 to 5 miles so that the suspension can settle in place. If necessary, repeat the entire process to lower the truck further.
Tips & Warnings
Cutting suspension coils is not an exact science. It's best to cut less than you think you need at a time; that way you can cut off more if you want the truck lower. Start by cutting one half revolution off the coil spring, then step up one-half revolution at a time. This requires taking apart the suspension several times, but it does ensure that you won't have a truck that sits too low.
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