How to: Chevy 63" Leaf Spring Swap

Pros: more than $1k cheaper than archive hangers/crosstube and your selected leaf pack. Does the same thing any bolt in leaf will do and more, I'm almost maxing out 16s.
Way more clearence than the bulky low hanging solid mounted shackle hanger, now have a short shackle that is "suspensioned" so when you drag or hit it, it has some give.
Another pro along with the cheap cost, is you can find the leaf pack in every single junkyard across the country, which is a nice piece of mind if you do manage to break a pack.
Cons: none in my opinion.

 

Couple photos of the last 63 swap I did.

 

I need a lot more practice before my welds resemble those … I have a hard time with that curve from the shackle to the frame outrigger part

 

Need this

 

Someone who liked your post is getting them tomorrow as well

 

That same someone might have a spare kit

 

Clearence gain between Bamf hangers, and a shackle flip with a flatter shackle angle. Basically a 3" gain, with no hard hit when you do hit them.




Another 63 swap done

 

What’s the resting angle on shackles?

 

On mine they sit at 63° at ride height, leaf pack is almost flat at ride height so they kick back to about 70° before the leaf is inverted.

 

3ft tall rock

 

Is anyone running ProComp 13211 in place of the stock 63's? They are a 3-3.5" lift springs.

I'm trying to get another 2.5-3.5" of lift in the rear. Currently I have 94' 63s and a 5" shackle...

 

I believe @SMKYTXN used 5” lift springs

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-chevy-63-leaf-spring-swap.377756/#post-10361249

 

Some great rear end flex pics in this thread.
Have any of you had issues with your emergency brake lines being too short at full drop? I'm asking because I saw a post recently (not here) where someone tore an emergency brake line so I figured I'd ask you guys with the most rear end flex here. While I do not have a 63 set up I'm running a full Archive Garage rear set up.

 

Haven’t had a issue. Normally with the 63s the bracket that holds the line to the spring is deleted so you get more wiggle in the cable. I’ve done around 10 63 swaps and have never had a problem with the cables being to short. I believe your on 12” shocks if I remember the pics correctly so you should be ok if still attached to the spring.

 

@Buttskevin21 set mine up with 16”’s and it can drop out all the way without Ebrake cable issues.

 

Nice set up! Getting ready to do the same swap. I just got some 95’ chevy 63’s I put new bushings and center bolts after removing the overload leaf.
Can you post a picture of your where your front spring hanger sits? I have rocks sliders mounted on my frame I think they may be in the way. Thanks in advance.

 

as long as the cable passes next to the front eye bolt it shouldn't cause any issues with length. more droop just means more bend which shouldnt be an issue for a while.
i added some holders to keep it tidy on mine

 

Just saw this. I’ll get you some tonight.

mine are still zip tied. I should probably get around to making it permanent before I have a stick break one loose and rip it off.

 

Axle wrap update:
Running 5 leafs
On the street/gravel/snow/sand, axle wrap is minimal.
Under big load ups/bind ups, the pinion points to the sky. Main leafs are now slightly bent so I will be making a trac bar.

 

To experienced chevy 63 swap owners/installers: What are your thoughts on keeping the overload spring on and having no bump stops?

As you can see, it definitely has a rake. It has new bushings. I currently have a decked system full of not so heavy gear. Wondering if it will level out when I put my tire carrier (swingout) with full size spare.