I broke a leaf. woohoo

[6.2]

Well, when I did my tire rotation I noticed a broken leaf on the driver side. Awesome. Just what I need right now lol.


Anyways, figured now is as good of time as any to do the Chevy 64" swap.

Read through that 14 page thread, and maybe its because I'm dead tired or there were a lot of posts but I want to make sure I have this right.

I want no lift, .5" to 1" AT MOST.

Now, I want to do the shackle flip so I get better articulation and travel. If I do the flip, without reaching the leafs, do I leave the stock block in place to make up for lost height from them shackle flip, or will the Chevy leafs make up for that?

Just trying to get as much info as possible before I tackle this. It's my only ride so I can't have it down for more than a weekend.

 

[AgPete139]

I don't understand when you mean "reaching the leaves?"

How much lift do you currently have? Are you using 3" lift blocks?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

reaching the leaves

I think he means re-arching.

Richard

 

[6.2]

Sorry, yes re arching. Silly autocorrect. Still not use to this android phones keyboard.


I'm running the stock 2" block currently.
From what I understand from that thread if I flip the shackle, remove the block, and add in stock Chevy leafs I won't get any lift. Just want someone to chime in if I'm understanding that right or not.

 

[steevn]

I think it depends on the 64 that you end up getting, the 2500 series will give more lift because it flexes less than the 1500 series under the same weight, but it will ride stiffer also. I'm doing this now and got the 2500 springs and then took 2 leafs out to make them softer, with this setup I got zero lift with the stock block and normal shackle. If you do get your springs re-arched you might wanna consider a longer shackle, because the greater suspension travel creates greater horizontal rear spring mount movement. Although if you get a longer shackle and invert it you may have to make a custom lowered shackle mount, otherwise the longer shackle will have to go through the bed.

edit:I was just thinking it might be possible that the 2500 springs and the 1500 springs have different arches. Assuming the chevy 2500 and 1500 have the same ride height, chevy may have arched the softer 1500 springs more to achive the same ride height with similar unloaded bed weight.

 

[SenorNoob]

If that works out I wanna know. Cause in my line of thought it could make the Explorer axle bolt-in at stock height with the Chevy springs. Which would be totally cool.

 

[6.2]

just thought id update this. i now have chevy 64's not re-arched. i removed the stock block, and left the shackles stock. i got MAYBE .5" to .75" of lift. but a lot more travel, stock shocks limit droop. Measured and it seems 12" travel shocks will work.

 

[4x4junkie]

Thanks for the update.

Maybe add your findings to the Chevy Leaf thread as well?

 

[6.2]

Will do if I can find it. Tapatalk is being weird lately.

I was told the leafs had 98,000 kms on them.