64" Chevy Leaf Springs & Shackle Flip

[Ryannn]

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/64-inch_leaf.html

Who has done this? is this hard? Is it worth it? Does it lift my Rear?

 

[Sunk]

Did you read the link you posted?

 

[Surrey]

Chevy leafs give lift. doing the flip takes that lift away.

I have a question related to this though... Does the axle stay in the same location with these leafs, or does it move front or back a bit?

 

[Sunk]

The front mount stays in the same spot, so the axle can't move much. If you look at the before/after pictures you can see the end of the leafs looks slightly forward when the hanger is flipped, but it's also higher.

 

[Surrey]

I was meaning without the flip...

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Without the flip it works great.

You move your front leaf hanger forwards 6" and remount it then the leafs bolt right in. Axle stays in stock location and you again anywhere from 2-3" of lift depending on how bagged out the springs are.

I'm running them with an extended shackle and the stock block and it sits just a tad higher in the rear than the front with 5" suspension lift.

 

[dangerranger83]

Without the flip it works great.

You move your front leaf hanger forwards 6" and remount it then the leafs bolt right in. Axle stays in stock location and you again anywhere from 2-3" of lift depending on how bagged out the springs are.

I'm running them with an extended shackle and the stock block and it sits just a tad higher in the rear than the front with 5" suspension lift.

Im running the exact setup, I have the 3/4 ton springs with the over load and I got 6 inches of lift. I have to say that this is one of the easiest and cheapset ways to lift the rear of the truck.

Just dont forget about shocks, bought procomp ones (9000's) and love them.

 

[Surrey]

Without the flip it works great.

You move your front leaf hanger forwards 6" and remount it then the leafs bolt right in. Axle stays in stock location and you again anywhere from 2-3" of lift depending on how bagged out the springs are.

I'm running them with an extended shackle and the stock block and it sits just a tad higher in the rear than the front with 5" suspension lift.

Thats what I was expecting, by moving that front hanger you re-center the axle in the wheel wells...

What is flex like on these? Much better than explorer leafs I would think? Any suggestion on the best year(s)/models to pull the leafs from?

I think I will tackle this swap when I go for 6" lift, right now Im only installing 4" so Im just gonna go with explorer leafs and stock ranger blocks (Bronco IIs have no blocks stock) And if that is not enough to make 4", I'll add shackles... I would put more contemplate skipping on the explorer leafs all together, but I already have a set.

 

[bilzy7]

Im running the exact setup, I have the 3/4 ton springs with the over load and I got 6 inches of lift. I have to say that this is one of the easiest and cheapset ways to lift the rear of the truck.

Just dont forget about shocks, bought procomp ones (9000's) and love them.

You got 9k's? I got them for stock ride height. They seem ok. I only wish my shocks actually weren't completely gone so I could tell diff. They were rancho shocks but rusted to he'll so no guess as to ride quality change

 

[bilzy7]

Hey surrey if you want brand new ones search for thread about pro comp 5.5 inch lift chevy leaves. I forget who runs them but I was thinkin bout this and flipping shackle hoping it's gonna be good, and about flex, most remove the bottom most leaf. I guess the helper leaf it's called? That will let them flex more, as all do, you may have toplay leaf swap till flex meets your needs.

 

[Surrey]

Yeah, as I say Im starting with the exploder leafs, 'cause its what I have and means less work for the time being... The stiffer ride is okay 'cause my girlfriend needs to learn to drive on the damn thing. Once that fiasco is over with though, I shall be jacking her up some more and making her a whole lot flexier. Then I get to make up some radius arms and cross members, and remount the rear shocks, and do the F250 shock mount mod...

Damn women getting in the way of my plans!

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Thats what I was expecting, by moving that front hanger you re-center the axle in the wheel wells...

What is flex like on these? Much better than explorer leafs I would think? Any suggestion on the best year(s)/models to pull the leafs from?

I think I will tackle this swap when I go for 6" lift, right now Im only installing 4" so Im just gonna go with explorer leafs and stock ranger blocks (Bronco IIs have no blocks stock) And if that is not enough to make 4", I'll add shackles... I would put more contemplate skipping on the explorer leafs all together, but I already have a set.

Flex is awesome. I went from Explorer leafs to these and it was one of the best mods I've done yet. Mine are from an 88 C1500 (2wd) pickup.

 

[4x4junkie]

Flex is awesome. I went from Explorer leafs to these and it was one of the best mods I've done yet. Mine are from an 88 C1500 (2wd) pickup.

Do you happen to recall what body style truck you got yours from? (ext. cab, long/shortbed, etc.)?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Ext cab short bed IIRC.

When I dropped the new box on my truck and tire carrier I added a Bronco 2 main leaf with the eyes cut off under the chevy main leaf to get me sitting level again.