1st Gen Chevy 63's

Contemplating the swap need someone to persuade me. I can't seem to find a thread anywhere so maybe this can help more then just me.

Alright who's swapped in the 63's on their first gen. Curious to see what everyones done.
Did you guys buy a kit or just piece your own together? Did you guys relocate your shocks?

Lets see em!!!!!!

 

I'm sure this guy could still have some helpful words. Even though he doesn't have a 1st gen
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rattletrap66’s-build-and-bs-chevy-63s.394444/

 

theres a dedicated chevy 63 thread in the suspension section

 

For 1st gens? i can't seem to find anything. But i think I've decided to go for it. ill be ordering low range off roads kit in the next couple days.

 

Skip lowrange's kit, ruffstuff specialties kit is a bit more intricate and then get junkyard 63s springs.

 

Werd.

Ruffstuff for brackets on the west coast and Barnes for brackets on the east coast

 

Yeah I would recommend the Ruffstuff kit, it is a pretty stout setup. If you haven't already picked up your junkyard leaf packs, make sure to get them off a 3/4 ton truck, the second spring is longer and supports the main spring right next to the spring wrap, see my picture below. Also, replace the bushings in the springs before you even get started, I eventually had to go back and do that with some energy suspension bushings, which helped out quite a bit.

 

I used the Ruffstuff parts and used a set of 1/2 ton 63's. They rode like shit, so I eventually cut down some of the leafs and am essentially running a 2-leaf pack now (main spring and the full length one right under it). It rides OK now but still leaves a lot to be desired. Shocks are 12" Bilstein 5125's.

Old pic of the original setup:

 

It looks like the back of your truck is pretty light, do you think it's the valving on the bilsteins that is affecting ride quality?
I have no experience with bilsteins, but my impression is that they are pretty stiff for a given valving setup.

 

Are you saying you wish you went with the 3/4 ton springs instead? Set up looks pretty sweet man. I'm planning on doing a very similar shock relocation as yours

 

Think you meant to quote @allenfab

 

yep my bad

 

It's definitely the springs. The back of my truck is probably about the same to a little heavier than a stock bed. The shocks definitely need to be swapped out with something tuneable, it's just not something I am too worried about at the moment.

3/4 ton springs would be even more stiff. But thanks, the setup works pretty well now. Just need to get some different shocks