Cutting the springs

TheMaddog said:

^^ same thing. I had a '97 f150. That thing was awesome. Had 225k miles on it before we sold it.

How hard was it to do this mid? I'm thinking of saving some $ and cut em

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OutlawTrucker said:

When cutting them use a 4" grinder with a cutoff wheel. Do not use a torch. The excess heat will weaken them.

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trev said:

I used a torch and it didn't weaken them to the point where you can tell. The ride is actually exactly the same besides it's actually more comfortable now that it doesn't feel like I'm leaning forward alittle.

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trev said:

I used a torch and it didn't weaken them to the point where you can tell. The ride is actually exactly the same besides it's actually more comfortable now that it doesn't feel like I'm leaning forward alittle.

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Rogan68 said:

He means that the torch takes the tempering out of the spring, and it will become brittle.

Not "peanut" brittle fragile, but it does take the strength out of the steel, unless the metallurgy is treated correctly during the process (like placing the uncut metal into very hot oil, and bringing it up to a high temperature slowly, then cutting it, then back into the oil and lowering the temp back down slowly.

It's a long, arduous process, so most of us just whack the **** off with a torch and call it done.

you may or may not experience a problem with them, down the road, as the 'spring' life will be reduced.

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OutlawTrucker said:

When cutting them use a 4" grinder with a cutoff wheel. Do not use a torch. The excess heat will weaken them.

Click to expand...