How to: Chevy 63" Leaf Spring Swap

Dude I'm not the brain in this fandango I'm just there to look pretty, cook ribs, and melt steel

 

Fair enough.

 

I've been coaching him. He's good. Just getting some more in depth reading

 

Got the truck stripped down and ready for install. Also got the leaf springs ready for poly bushings.

 

We are thinkin the +4 lines I already have in the back aren't gonna be long enough...

 

I ended up ordering +9 from Crown just to be on the safe side I already had +6". If you call crown you can order just the rear lines and not have to get the full kit. They were like 70 some or 80 bucks to my door. They will also do whatever length you want and color. All that cost extra is the different lengths. Guy I talked to was really helpful and on point. After talking to them I got the feeling they are a small mom and pop operation that really is focused on customer support and satisfaction.

 

Badass. I'll ring them in their morning, probably also get a measurement and get a braided line for the air locker as well.

 

They may be able to make that as well just depends on the style of fitting. Oh and the new lines they send new spring retainer clips with that are nice and shiny they look to be stainless steel like their fittings.

 

Bad A$$

 

Hmm let me know how it goes, I only have +4 as well

 

All I have is the allpro extended lines

 

Has anyone mounted shocks inside frame rail instead of outside? Would like to keep from using spacers if possible. Not sure if I would just get DMZ frame boxing kit and maybe just mount it inside?

 

Is this much better than say a Dakar leaf pack which is made for our trucks? Just trying to decide if all the extra work is worth it?

 

I have seen some build threads where guys mounted the shocks in-board angled pretty steep. Research because angling like that there are pros and cons.

The biggest thing is what you are wanting to do with your truck and get out of the suspension. You can get a lot of flex out of Dakars or other springs with something like the Archive Garage hammer hangers and a shock relocation. This set up allows even more flex.

Here is a pros and cons list.
Chevy 63s
Pros:
Lots of flex
Load carrying capability
Easy to source parts
Beefier springs

Cons:
Can get expensive
Lots of work/permanent modification to truck
Not as easy as just swapping parts
Not for a novice to install
Requires welding and fabrication

Dakars or similar
Pros:
Easy installation
Can source parts easily
Decent flex
Can do other mods to get more flex
can go back to stock if need be
cheaper initially than chevy 63s

Cons:
limited in the amount of flex you can get
Not as beefy of a spring
needs additional mods to get the most flex


I am sure there are more that others can add. Hope this helps.

 

Thank You! But then now what do you do to the front to try to match this? SAS / SAC seems like to only way? If / when I want to take it to the next level I'll certainly consider this. Great thread OP.

 

You won’t be able to “match” the travel of the 63 swap or a Dakar (or equivalent) swap with the IFS front suspension of these trucks. A long travel setup can compliment it but it won’t match it as far as wheel travel goes.

That being said, unless you really need the travel in the front, you don’t have to “match” the wheel travel front to back. Many people run the 63 swap with long travel or even extend travel setups up front.

 

Like you said SAS or like what @BamaTaco56 a LT set up. Now Marlin Crawler is releasing a pretty wicked LT set up that looks like it'll be better than what's on the market now for rock crawling flexy technical type offroading. This set up just makes the truck that much more capable. There are trade-offs to everything and you just have to figure out what will best suit your needs and style.

 

Here are my thoughts:

With LT, you gain a small amount of droop, but LT still doesn't flex thaaat well. LT is only really good for speed. So if you are going to LT, you might as well do the +3.5 because the +2 really isn't that much better. If you are going LT, then a Linked or Spring Under Axle rear set up will be a much better fit for LT than a 63 swap.

A 63 swap is more for crawling. If you are hardcore into crawling, obviously SAS + 63 swap is the way to go. Marlin has their new "Rock Crawling" LT set up, but I'm guessing for the price, a SAS would be a better value, and much more capable. However, if you are into some pretty decent off road stuff, but want to stick with a "mid travel" IFS front end, then the 63 swap is the perfect way to compensate for the lack of flex in the front.

For me personally, I would love to SAS, but I also love the way the IFS rides on dirt roads and pavement alike. I use my truck for a lot of longer road trips that a more dedicated crawler would suck for. So for me, the compromise is to 63 swap the rear, and maintain a mid travel front. Sure my truck won't be able to send King Of Hammers stuff, but the Rubicon or trails like that would be totally within the capabilities of my truck, yet still comfortable for driving to and from the trail as well.

That's my opinion anyway.

 

You said what I was thinking / trying to say in a much better way.