How Much Do I Cut The Coils ?

[OG Arrow]

Ok, just recently my 2" Dropped Spindles landed on the porch. Yea ! :))
And I've searched around, and have seen Some talk, but didn't Really find a definitive answer.

So on a First Gen Coil, How Much Coil to Cut Off to Drop it By How Much ???

For Example : "Cut off one and a half coils will give you 1 inch down"

Does anyone Know this correlation ???

Also how many coils off before I'm on the stops ???
Obviously there is such a thing as too much off is now a useless coil spring. LOL

Haven't put the spindles on yet or broken out the die grinder, but wanted to get this information Before I did !
Once I get some good ball park advice, the project will begin ! :oD

(then the next task will be finding some wheels that will work ,,, I'm sure that's the right order to do this in) LOLOL

Any Helpful Advice would be Much Appreciated !

[pennyman1]

If you want to do it right, buy lowering coils. They are made stiffer to compensate for the drop, and the ride will be better. Cutting a stock, old coil gives you a rough ride. Once you change the coils, cut the bump stop in half to give to more suspension travel. Now would also be a good time to change the lower control arm, sway bar, and strut rod bushings with urethane pieces, and check the idler arm for play.

[DroppedMitsu]

one coil is usually about 2"

[OG Arrow]

If you want to do it right, buy lowering coils. They are made stiffer to compensate for the drop, and the ride will be better. Cutting a stock, old coil gives you a rough ride. Once you change the coils, cut the bump stop in half to give to more suspension travel. Now would also be a good time to change the lower control arm, sway bar, and strut rod bushings with urethane pieces, and check the idler arm for play.

Yes I agree ,,, I have done it both ways, cut stock, and bought lowered coils.
But in those cases I knew Where to go to Buy the Lowered Coils for the vehicle I was building.
In this case I don't ,,, due to the aged and obscure nature of our application. (wow, that's sounds smart huh ?) LOL
So where might a feller purchase the appropriate lowered coils for a first gen truck ???

And you are right (again) about a good time to address the bushings.
(although I don't know how bad mine are or are not ,,, they might be fine since it's only got 79K on it)

Could you or someone also point me in the direction of who is selling them / where you all are getting the good bushings ???
Does someone one offer them in a complete kit form ???

As usual, any and all help is Greatly Appreciated !

[bobsnewdirection]

I have a second gen and got belltech drop springs and shocks, not sure if they are the same for first gen. Seems like allot of this stuff is

[pennyman1]

the belltech coils fit 79-95 trucks, you can also get them from chassis tech / AIM industries. Look on ebay or Amazon for the bushings.

[OG Arrow]

I have a second gen and got belltech drop springs and shocks, not sure if they are the same for first gen. Seems like allot of this stuff is

That's a Good Question. I know some stuff is, but not sure about All stuff.
Do you remember what Shocks you got ???
Although I now think I've found them.


the belltech coils fit 79-95 trucks, you can also get them from chassis tech / AIM industries. Look on ebay or Amazon for the bushings.

I Did find some BellTech Coils # 4270 Listed for 83-97 Mistubishi Mighty Max. So these are the same for My truck ?
I seem to recall reading somewhere that the 83 Mighty Max was the same as the first gen Plymouths and Dodges.

I was going to just go Blocks in the Rear, but came across 3" Dropped Leafs from Chassis Tech.
It says Part # LEA-MI8700-3 is for 87-96 Mitsubishi Pickup 2WD.
First Off, are the Rear Leafs the Same as first gen ? Will These Work on My truck ??
Anybody have any experience with these ??? Good Bad or otherwise ???

Ok, I know this is a Lot of questions, but Hey, I'm a Newbie ! (with this vehicle) and I found a bunch of stuff,
for a good deal, and I want to jump on it if it will all fit.

So Again ,,, pennyman, Bob, Dropped and others, Thank You SO much for the help !!!
Please help me confirm the above, and clean my wallet out at the same time. LOL

[bobsnewdirection]

My kit is belltech 436sp. It's 2.5 inch drop front springs/shocks and 3inch drop blocks and shocks for rear

[pennyman1]

shocks are the same for both 1st and 2nd gen trucks - not sure about the rear drop leafs. Chassis tech used to make them in the 80s, I didn't know they were available again.

[OG Arrow]

My kit is belltech 436sp. It's 2.5 inch drop front springs/shocks and 3inch drop blocks and shocks for rear

Yep Yep ,,, that's the one I found too !
How long ago did you get yours, as one guy told me they were back ordered on that part number,
and have been for months. So he didn't want to take my order.
(this was Not BellTech themselves saying this)



shocks are the same for both 1st and 2nd gen trucks.

Ok, kewl on the shocks, does this go for the Coils Too ??? Same Same ???



- not sure about the rear drop leafs. Chassis tech used to make them in the 80s, I didn't know they were available again.

Well I found them Here : http://www.streetpros.com/product_info/products_id/2533/ (http://www.streetpros.com/product_info/products_id/2533/)
I was going to Call and ask about them, but I was waiting to hear back from you guys first,
As it lists these for the 87-96 Mitsubishi Pickup and I wanted to make sure they were the Same first.
So Are the leaf springs the same ??? Width and Length at least ???

[DroppedMitsu]

First And second gen coils are the same, not sure about the leafs but I would think they are too.

[bobsnewdirection]

I got the kit from summit racing. It took forever to get it, was back ordered for months. I only stuck with it because it was a really good deal. Everything was 50% off so I couldn't say no. I think I paid around $200 for everything. Been a while now

[pennyman1]

have you tried the suspension source - they list them in their ads, but it don't mean they have them. I got the belltech nitrodrop 2 shocks from them for $80 for all 4 last year.

[Redneckmoparman]

can you take a measurement of your rear leafs and i can go measure the leafs on my 90 i can compare anything if you need i love adding info to forums

[pennyman1]

Found the same leaf springs on ebay direct from Chassis tech for less: http://www.ebay.com/itm/87-96-Mitsubishi-Mighty-Max-3-Drop-Lowering-Leafs-/280693808987?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item415aa79f5b

[OG Arrow]

can you take a measurement of your rear leafs and i can go measure the leafs on my 90 i can compare anything if you need i love adding info to forums

Excellent Idea !
Ok, the Leaf is Just shy of 3" Wide, and about 46"~47" Long eye to eye.
(the best I can do here at work in my work attire without crawling under it)


Found the same leaf springs on ebay direct from Chassis tech for less: http://www.ebay.com/itm/87-96-Mitsubishi-Mighty-Max-3-Drop-Lowering-Leafs-/280693808987?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item415aa79f5b

Yes You Did ! Outstanding ! :clap:

Still torn whether to go this route, or just go with Blocks.
I kind of like this route, as I've never tried Dropped Leafs before, and have done lots of Block drops.
If I knew for Sure that they were the same, I'd get them and report back.
Redneck ,,, can you help me out ???

[pennyman1]

the drop leafs will prevent spring wrapup on acceleration and braking that you can get from blocks - the bigger the blocks the more the tendancy to wrap.

[OG Arrow]

the drop leafs will prevent spring wrapup on acceleration and braking that you can get from blocks - the bigger the blocks the more the tendancy to wrap.

Yeah I know, Good Point though.
That's why I said I'd like to try out the Dropped Leafs, as I haven't before.

RedneckMoparman ,,, You out there Bro ???

Or Anyone with an 87 ~ 96 that can throw a quick tape measure on their leaf springs !
Just looking to confirm the size before pulling the trigger on the purchase.

Thank You !

[Redneckmoparman]

Goin to get firewood now ill grab some measurements as soon as im back at the homefront

[Redneckmoparman]

So took some measurements and i will say its 47.25" from eye to eye center and here is the width
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q257/redneckdodgecowby/trucks/Ram 50 Sport/33CCF113-34A5-41A8-8778-98B0EC2A195D_zpsg3fptwrt.jpg (http://s138.photobucket.com/user/redneckdodgecowby/media/trucks/Ram 50 Sport/33CCF113-34A5-41A8-8778-98B0EC2A195D_zpsg3fptwrt.jpg.html)
And the end which is most important for the width
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q257/redneckdodgecowby/trucks/Ram 50 Sport/3E709070-D998-41F3-A11D-5323EA65141F_zpseqxt81rn.jpg (http://s138.photobucket.com/user/redneckdodgecowby/media/trucks/Ram 50 Sport/3E709070-D998-41F3-A11D-5323EA65141F_zpseqxt81rn.jpg.html)

[OG Arrow]

Awesome ! and Thank You RedneckMoparman !!! :thumbup:
I appreciate the effort and the time (after gathering fire wood even) LOL

So it appears that the First Gen and the Later model's Leaf Springs are the same.
So I'm going to pull the trigger on ordering the Lowered Leaf Springs.
(getting the lower priced ones that Pennyman1 found for me ,,, thanx again) :)

Just waiting on the Front Coils and all four Shocks to get here, and then I can take
my little truck's ride height to new lows. :))

I will, of course, take pictures and document the change for the forum.
(because we All like pictures and build threads) LOL

Just not sure where to post That activity. But I'm sure someone will tell me.
Thanx Again to All for the Continuing Help !!!