How to: Chevy 63" Leaf Spring Swap

Start of something great

 

Some shock relocation progress. Got some 12" billys to replace the older 10" set.

Axle tab is set pretty high for the relocation. Set the shock angle at 17*.

Also got a good low mileage set of chevys in. Just waiting on the ruff stuff kit.



Heres some updated pics of the 12" shocks installed. May need to move the relocation up and run 14" instead..

 

Need to get some weight out back as it’s sitting ass high.
Welded a tab on the bottom of the frame to hold the e brake cable not pictured. Sitting next to a bullet proof lift on 35s also

 

Did some assembly. Unfortunately my front bushings are too large for the hardware provided. Can someone provide me with a part # or recommendation on where to get the bushing?

 

What year leaf’s

 

I believe 2008-2009.

Decided to go 14" shcok instead and cut into the bed..

 

The newer years have wider leafs. Also no real reason to cut into the bed with 14s, you will be way way into negative arch by the time you bottom a 14 up into the bed. Im into the bed a bit with my 16s, and negative arch the leaf probably 3"

 

Yeah its 2.5" wide so i got a flip plate and u bolt flip to accomodate the larger leaf spring.

Well currently with the 12" shocks test fitted, the shock body is just long enough to where the bumpstop will save it a bit. The 14" shock body is alot longer so ill need to put the relocation up more. Pic with 12" and ford shock towers. This is just the stock leaf pack with aal. Will have to run spacers on the bumpstops eventually with the 63's.

 

Move the axle mount like 3-4" down

 

Shock body will still be too long as that pic shows 12" shock and the 14" shock body is 2.5" longer..

 

You wont be getting as much uptravel as you think, since the mounts are much lower with 63s, thus putting you into negative arch way earlier than factory. I've always put a ~2" bumpstop spacer in compaired to running stock leafs or bolt in leafs. I've setup 63s probably 6-7 times with the Archive towers and 14s, and works perfect.

 

Is it possible to setup 63's for a lower lift height with a decently light setup +200lbs in the bed while wheeling? I have seen they lift anywhere from 3-5" and I am looking to stay under 2" maybe 2.5" max. Maybe running a 3 leaf pack and frenching the front mount up into the frame?

 

I plan on setting mine up for a little less lift by running the 2wd chevy leaf springs, frenching the front mount and trying out a few different shackle lengths in the rear to adjust for less lift. May also need to adjust the mount locations forward or backward. Will definitely take some tinkering to dial it in though.

 

Ok that’s what I figured. I wonder what the axle center to fender measurements would be at ride height with the 2wd leafs

 

This. I have assembled a full kit minus limit straps and brake lines, but now that I've decided on 1" lift max up front I don't believe I can do a 63 swap without gaining massive rake. Perhaps another leaf like the ~1995 dodge 1500 59"s (our crappy stock leafs are ~55") but they probably aren't as resilient as the chev 63"s

 

Gen 1 Tundra springs may work for you.

 

Back in the day I've used a lot of Ford 57" leafs. You can only have the truck sit so low, without going way past negative arch. The longer leafs on these trucks "lowers" the mounts, thus negative arching the leaf earlier than a stock pack and location.

 

If you are willing to experiment with the leaf pack to get the ride height dialed in, you could do a spring under set up to lower the ride height.

 

I think I am still going to go with 63's. Maybe if I move both mounts up as much as possible like this guy and 3 leaf springs I could get away with low lift with still decent uptravel. I may need to make a tracbar to prevent axle wrap. Worst case I end up higher and adjust the front up to match.

East coast rocks and the tight trails around here disagree with SUA

 

3 leafs was very soft and I had too much axle wrap and negative arch at full bump. i did end up having to add another leaf.