Chevy 63 & 64 Inch Leaf Spring Clarifications....

[Andres629]

Richard,
I'd try and snag some Dodge 3/4-1 ton hangers. I mean I guess a Ford one would probably work, but I know the Dodge ones will work. My buddy grabbed me a set for my Ranger, and they are BEEFY, and hang below the frame, oh... maybe 3-4 inches or so. And I know I'll have a hard time bending them as they came off a heavy hauler pickup.
And you're right, once flipped the Ranger hanger sits almost flush with the bottom of the frame rail. Hope I helped you out!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Thanks for the info. What year Dodge?

Richard

 

[Andres629]

The 94-01/02 body style Dodge 2500 or 3500 I figure.

 

[grey]

My chevy springs measured 63" from centre to centre. After the suspension settled, and a shackle flip, the rear of my truck sits at stock height. I think that the chevy springs are actually a bit softer(well I did take the overload spring off) than the stock ranger springs. Also I get some pretty bad spring wrappage now. Thinking of a re-arch and mounting the axle over the springs to help...

 

[tbars]

With a reg cab and the welded on 1" blocks and lift shackles you will probably have 5" lift.

...I did this swap without the overloads but needed to re-use my 8" o.c. shackles...

..It turns out it resulted to the same height I originally had 3 years ago when I put on AAL's in stock Ranger springs with stock 2" blocks, with overloads, and 8" o.c. shackles...

...This is a good thing...I got the desired ride height back with the same load carrying for work, softer ride, and a bit more rear flex...

 

[PlumCrazy]

My chevy springs measured 63" from centre to centre. After the suspension settled, and a shackle flip, the rear of my truck sits at stock height. I think that the chevy springs are actually a bit softer(well I did take the overload spring off) than the stock ranger springs. Also I get some pretty bad spring wrappage now. Thinking of a re-arch and mounting the axle over the springs to help...

Im pretty sure they are way softer. When I accelerate the ass end of my truck goes way down. At night my headlights go to the stars then to the ground and when I shift they go back to the stars lol.

 

[Josh40601]

Just found a guy with 64's for 50 bucks delivered. I already have the beltech shackle, but its not installed. All i have right now is the 9" and skyjacker lift springs in the rear of my ranger with the stock block. About 5" of lift. After throwing the CO on the front and the SAS, the back is sitting lower than the front, and I want the flex the chebby springs offer.

 

[grey]

Im pretty sure they are way softer. When I accelerate the ass end of my truck goes way down. At night my headlights go to the stars then to the ground and when I shift they go back to the stars lol.

Yeah, it definatley squats alot more now...
Its worth it for all that flex tho

 

[bobbywalter]

things i have used, 3/4 extended chevy van hangers(easy to get off) and dodge dakota rear shackle hangers. like mid 90's versions


these use stock spring and ditch blocks.


regardless setting ride height is not too bad with that combo, but will take alot of drilling and some angle iron on the bottom of the rail to support the new brakets similar to the gm and dodge f/s pickup trucks.

those parts new are cost prohibitive imo though when you can find them.

 

[tbars]

...Does anyone have a link to pictures of what people have done for the parking brake bracket fix?

 

[Josh40601]

I'm gonna threadjack for just a sec.... Bobby, do you have any pictures of your truck on here?

 

[spdcrazy]

i used f150 brackets front and rear. beefy and much bigger than the b2. however the spacing is a bit different. more offset by about 1/2in if i recall.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

...Does anyone have a link to pictures of what people have done for the parking brake bracket fix?

PlumCrazy's fix;
Post #36
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55201&page=3

 

[bobbywalter]

I'm gonna threadjack for just a sec.... Bobby, do you have any pictures of your truck on here?

i dont have that setup on my rig, though i have had it on past rigs, and installed them on various other trucks.

the stock ranger setup has always been fine for me until i went over 38 inches in tire. the last thing i would call early rbv rear suspension is limited in articulation.

at the same time it is limited in a sense, as when you add longer shocks, shackles etc to maximize the articulation potential already there its hard to keep the packs straight....and over working the springs does shorten their life. but i use the truck as a truck also so leaf spring maintenance is a given.

but... when you buy oem location/type springs for lift, ride is usually affected along with load capacity. sometimes it improves others its bad. this is the point where the 63 swap begins to look like a good option.


with my current situation, its likely i will use or make equivalent pieces to operate with explorer/150 leafs at first and then the 63 spring to actually see if there is a real worthy pro or con to it.

 

[Josh40601]

so.... you got any pictures of your truck on here?