Chevy spring swap...no lift???

[Hagan]

So I just got done doing the 63" Chevy spring swap on the passenger side of my truck and it didn't lift it at all. The spring came off of a '93 Chevy 2wd and I removed the overload so there is just 3 springs. I have a set of bell tech look a likes and I'm using the stock blocks. I'm disappointed I wasted my time on this and there isn't any lift. Any ideas?

 

[dangerranger83]

The truck you got them off of could have spent a life of hauling alot of weight and the leaves could be well broke in.

Did you move you front hangers forward 6 inches or just bolt up the leaves to where the factory ford ones are and the shackles just make up the distance?

Do you have pictures of it all as it sits now as in the one side has the chevy leaves and the other side has the ford ones? What does the shackle angle look like?

I kept the overload on mine to see how it rides and personally I wont be taking mine out. I also used the blocks on mine and Im using a 5 leaf pack including the overload.

 

[Bennybooster]

well you don't need lots of lift for one, and second the whole point 63's is to flex like mad. If you need more height put the overload back it, get them re-arched ect...

 

[Hagan]

I need lift to fit 35's. And to match the front.

I will get some pics up. I'm finishing up the other side now.

 

[06RangerXLT]

i believe theres a bit of a difference between 2wd and 4x4 leafs, so that could be a issue. Also the fact that its older, it could be sagged.

 

[Hagan]

Ok pics will be up soon. There is no way of knowing if the springs have sagged. I picked the newest springs I could find.

I moved the front hanger forward 6". I don't have pictures of the two different springs on my truck. There isn't any weight on the back of the truck and there isn't any lift.

 

[Hagan]

Stock...

Chevy springs...

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I am running 2wd 63's without the overload. Running the stock block and an extended shackle I sit level with my 6" front springs. Sounds like you got a bagged out set.

I would take the main leaf outta your ranger pack and cut the eyes off and mix it into the chevies. See how that works for you, if you need more add another long leaf.

 

[dangerranger83]

The front of your truck doesnt look to be at factory height and also dont forget, your factory spring setup doesnt have a bed on it or all the weight of the vehicle too so they will settle more vs. the chevy ones which should be able to take the weight better.

Look at the picture on the first few pages of my build thread and you can see how high mine is off the ground vs yours and my stock front under her too, they look the same but your front is higher up in your pictures due to being support by jack stands and not by the front axle. So if you were to lower the front or have the factory front under it, I bet your lift will show in the rear.

 

[Hagan]

I am running 2wd 63's without the overload. Running the stock block and an extended shackle I sit level with my 6" front springs. Sounds like you got a bagged out set.

I would take the main leaf outta your ranger pack and cut the eyes off and mix it into the chevies. See how that works for you, if you need more add another long leaf.

Yeah thats what I'm thinking. I might try to find someone who can recurve them for me. Or just take these back and get a new set. The problem I had was finding a Chevy without a hitch. If it had a hitch I couldn't get the shackle bolt out of the shackle because it hit the hitch.

The front of your truck doesnt look to be at factory height and also dont forget, your factory spring setup doesnt have a bed on it or all the weight of the vehicle too so they will settle more vs. the chevy ones which should be able to take the weight better.

Look at the picture on the first few pages of my build thread and you can see how high mine is off the ground vs yours and my stock front under her too, they look the same but your front is higher up in your pictures due to being support by jack stands and not by the front axle. So if you were to lower the front or have the factory front under it, I bet your lift will show in the rear.

Maybe I will reposition the front jack stands so there is more weight on the back of the truck. I have the jack stands in the middle of the truck, and when I put an extra jack on the front of the truck if it tipped and it did. There is no weight on it at all.

I get what your saying. But....it shouldn't matter if there is weight on the bed or not. If it lifts the truck it would be further down than stock. Maybe I'm just stupid I don't know. I'll mix a Ranger leaf in in a couple days and I'll report back. If I have to return these springs then I will.

Also, I put the shackles on the truck (the way it is on the jack stands) on the stock springs and it lifted it 2" on each side.

 

[Hagan]

Can someone do me a favor? If you have stock or 63"s measure from top of the spring to the bottom of the frame?

Mine measures 12" from the top of the leaf springs (in the center about the axle) to the bottom of the frame (where the bump stop is)

Thanks!

 

[Hagan]

Anyone help me out?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Give me a bit, I can run out to the shop.

 

[06RangerXLT]

if you go back, grab a leaf out of a Z71 truck. they have extra strong leafs.

as for the hitch issue, id bring a saw and cut the bolt

 

[Hagan]

A hack saw would be my only option. I don't have anything battery powered lol. But thanks for the tip on the Z71 springs!

Thanks Sasquatch_Ryda!