3rd gen leaf pack on 1st gen a no go, Frankenpack instead.

I couldn't find this specifically so I'm posting for anyone else out there.

My uncles 1st gen 97 extended cab 4x4 taco snaped drivers side a leaf, 3rd leaf in original pack.
I put ICON RXT pack on my 3rd gen 2020 DCLB OR so had stock packs left over.

I tried to straight swap but they do not fit. eye to eye length is like 4 inches longer on a 3rd gen, and the bushing sleeves are wider.

solution: frankenpack.
-top 2 leaves from his original 1st gen pack so eye to eye length and sleeve width are correct
-3rd leaf and overload from the 3rd gen pack, aluminum anti sqeek pads between leaves at center pin from the 3rd gen (2nd gen are smaller and plastic). Molygraph grease on pads and round pads at ends of leaves and bolts in bushings.
---you need to cut the spring clips. just cut the top so you can slide the leaves out, leave the vertical portion. this does reduce the rebound protection in high speed round situations but replacement clips are only $10 per pair

got a tiny bit of lift but that could have been because the original packs were 260k miles and dirt road their whole life. ride is stiffer, and bed does not sag as much under weight. slightly more bumpy ride, but his shocks are clapped so might be smother with new shocks to match new spring rate on pack. no more squeaks from the grease.

now he's going to forge me a new skinning knife out of his old broken leaf. win win win