Chevy 63’s + towing?

Hey y’all. I am in the market for new leafs. I understand all pro and other brands make leaf’s that are rated/ meant for extra weight. But they all (that I could find) provide lift (2-3inches at least) and I want stock height, maybe 1 inch lift at max.
Curious to as if anyone that has done the swap, tows or carrys much weight. If so how do they do.
i understand that bump stops are going to have more of an impact than anything. I’m currently running the duro bumps air bag style bumps. They limit me to about 3.5inches of up travel. I am also looking either a true airbag setup or some sumo bumps when I do the change.
I’ve always liked the idea of the C63 swap but haven’t really been considering until now (due to leaf pack change soon).
Or I’m completely open to other ideas (leaf & bump setups). I’ve searched as much as possible (I believe) trying to see opinions on C63 and towing, but haven’t really got any true insight on it.
I tow boats / jet skis / utility trailers regularly and have towed, tractors, scissor lifts, excavators, dump trailer w/ rock, etc in the past (not regularly).
Will be swapping in a elocker rear end soon, so figured give the whole rear end a make over at once. Thanks for your time, and any feedback/ suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

 

While most of the spring manufactures list lift springs on their customer facing portals, they ALL can make stock height or anything else you want. I would figure out which manufacture is closest to you, and call them to see what they can do. Explain what you tow, and they'll get you sorted.

I have Deavers (which say that are 1.5" lift). They don't have an overload leaf, which makes them not great for loading up the bed for long hauls... But no problem for taking a few heavy loads of tile and broken concrete to the dump.

 

I contacted deaver and after I told them I need a pack to meet my requirements (weight requirements) they won’t answer my calls or emails. Not sure if they can’t do it, and they don’t want to say. Or what the deal is, but everything was fine (contact back & forth) and then they just fell off and ghosted me….. not sure where I went wrong?

 

Chevy 63 leaf packs are great for carrying heavy loads or towing. I mean the vehicles they were designed for did exactly that. I have a pack from a ‘97 3/4 ton (5 leaves) with no overload, they have been great for wheeling with a heavy truck, towing trailers, whatever.

It’s a fair amount of work to fit 63’s to a Tacoma though, definitely not a bolt in mod. And they will give you a minimum of 1-2” of lift, and that’s if you french the hangers in and use short 4” shackles. Seems like maybe overkill for what you’re looking for unless you just want a project.

 

Well like I mentioned above, I’m going to be swapping a new rear end. So the project things isn’t my worry, just want to go the correct route the first time.
I don’t see why I wouldn’t be able to finish the C63 in a weekend, as long as I have everything I need. When you say “French the hangers in” what do you mean?

 

Yeah you can definitely do the job in a weekend if you have everything ready to go, just depending on your level of fabrication and welding skills.

Frenching the hangers is just recessing them into a pocket in the frame, so you sit as low as possible. Since the front hangers have to be moved forward something like 11”, they’re down on the flat part of the frame and add significant ride height due to that.

@Speedytech7 ’s frenched hangers:

 

Deaver is awful about answering the phone or emails.

I've been in the market for leafs 2 different times, and tried to reach out to them, with no answer. Ended up going with All Pro and then Alcan. Now I'm swapping to 63s.

Fuck Deaver... someone will chime in and defend them... fuck Deaver.

 

How far is that into the frame?

 

What makes you switch to 63’s?

 

Wanted more flex, but I carry a lot of weight.

I'm switching to a 5 pack like @drr. We'll see how it goes.

 

How do they ride? What length shocks you got? You still inside the frame?

 

It depends on what hangers you get or if you make your own, I think the ruff stuff ones sit in 1.5” or so.

They ride great, very flexy but comfortable especially when combined with well-tuned shocks. I have 11” stroke shocks inside the frame.

 

Just picked up a set off a 94 3/4 ton, 4 leaf plus overload. Is the set you guys are using have 5 leafs plus overload?

 

Mine is. (5+overload)
Not using the overload, but I did buy an add a leaf in case I need it.

 

I might have to go look and make sure lol
At some point in the 90’s, Chevy switched from 4 thicker leaves to 5 thinner ones for the 3/4 ton trucks, same load capacity though.

 

Edit- Sorry, should’ve quoted El Taco Diablo

Hmmm, what’s the leaf count/specs on what you are you running now?

I carry a lot of weight as well, part of the reason I’m swapping- I have T-100 rear leafs, they’ve done well for a long time but they are really tired, starting to bend the main leaf and started to have some bad body roll when loaded up. Added a rear swing out and things are at times scary now.

This is the guide I was using

https://www.roundforge.com/articles/guide-chevy-63-spring-swap-toyota-trucks-4runners-and-tacomas/

 

LOL, somewhat off topic, but I noticed the URL to the write-up was to the "longer brakelines" section, and that links to some TrailGear lines for $47. For anyone doing this who needs extended rears, I just started stocking them (in addition to the fronts which I already have for the TBU) for $42.

Stainless Steel Extended Rear Brake Line (96-04 Tacoma, 96-00 4Runner) Free shipping with PayPal payments.

/end of off topic.

On topic, I'm doing a C63 swap as well. Will be doing it this winter (likely Feb) with Zane's @Speedytech7 help, and will be photographing/writing it up as I always do. More up to date parts lists, etc. as well. These are the leaf set I'll be pulling from - a 5+overload out of a 4wd 2500.

 

Yeah, Dan, I think when I asked you, you said you got yours off a 98.

From what I’ve read (and there is so much info out there) the earlier springs had a bit more arch. After a point they also switched from 9/16” spring eye bolts to 5/8”, but if you’re swapping the bushings just use the set that has the 9/16” bolts.

I’m using the Ruffstuff kit as well and planning to French the front spring hangers, want to get about what would likely be 2-1/2” over stock- I like a little bit of rake, better to keep the headlights down at night and frankly hate the ass drag look

 

Think I fixed it, I’m not seeing the pic

 

I think I fixed the pic... if not, here it is again: