Topic: leaf springs questions

[swamp_fox]

I've done a lot of searching and a lot of reading and since my budget is limited I've decided to go 63" chevy's in the rear and run rear's up front.  My question is, are there any particular year models that I should be seeking.  I've got an 89 pickup but didn't know if I could use those leaves.  I've also heard of people mixing and matching different set ups...Whats the best set up??

Also thinking about using a front hanger with a 2" drop....any benefits to doing this or should I just use a regular hanger?

Also last question, how much lift should I be expecting with this set up.  I'd like to run 36's or so, but I dont mind hacking the fenders either.  Any help is appreciated for the newb!

[axled89]

keep the rig shorter the better for center of gravity.    then hack the rest away.

[chicorider]

i've heard chevy springs were the way to go. i guess that's what people are doing. i'd like to get them because everytime i look at my rears flexed out the leafs look like they're about to explode. it would be nice to have somthing solid back there.

[chicorider]

i have supelift springs on the front that i got used. i can't tell if they're 3 or 4 inches. i wonder if theres anyway i can tell for sure by looking at the serial numbers. my stickers are worn off mostly so i guess i'd have to find the numbers on the leafs maybe?

[swamp_fox [OP]]

Went and picked up my chevy's this weekend for $45.  Just gotta do some routine maint..like replace the center pin and put new bushings in.  What about which springs to use for the front???  Can I use the rear's off my 89??  Or should I seek another year model?  And if I use the rear's will I need the 2" drop hanger for the front??

[studentwheeler]

As for your RUF, i believe your rear springs will have a metal sleeve inside the rear bushings. It is a pita to get out and then you have to find the larger outside diameter bushings....which for me was very, very hard. I forget which years did not have the metal sleeve but I know i just did RUF on an 81 and those packs did not have the metal sleeve. My 85 runner did. So maybe get rears from a first gen?? You will most likely need to add another 1 to 2 leaves to the rear pack in order to have arch at ride height, otherwise the springs will sit pretty close to flat. Just experiment to see what you like. As well, if you are running the front spring hanger in the stock location you may need to check out and see if your shackles hit the body mount. I know on my runner the shackles were laying on the body mount and I had to run boomerang shackles.

Im running RUF's + 2 misc leaves and 6 inch shackles. Stock rear chevies with the overload and stock shackles and it sits higher than stock but not a whole lot higher. I want to keep it as low as possible and this spring set up is really flexy, ride nice and keeps me low....

[swamp_fox [OP]]

Well I'm gonna go ahead and order sky's chevy mounting kit and see how high that gets me.  Then I'll start messing with the front.

I'm thinking with a hybrid front pack, 2" drop hanger, and boomerang shackles I should be able to level it out.  I'd rather hack the fenders to hell than have a tall ass truck.....not to mention its cheaper!

[axled89]

2nd gen rears are the way to go.

[swamp_fox [OP]]

Will the ones off the 89 not work at all?

[-Jake-]

Will the ones off the 89 not work at all?

The 89-95 rear springs are 3" longer than the 79-88 rear springs. I am using the stock front hanger with my RUFs and I made some boomerang shackles.  My pinion angle doesn't suck.

[swamp_fox [OP]]

Nice.  The front hanger i was gonna order from sky comes with boomerang shackles.  How tall did they make you?  I'm thinking about ordering there hanger with the 2" drop to give it a little more lift just because I heard the RUF's didn't give hardly anything.

[-Jake-]

I'm clearings 37s with RUFs and my 5.5" boomerang shackles.

[swamp_fox [OP]]

one more question...my old steering box is puking fluid so I got another one already tapped for hydro.  Should I go ahead and mount the new one as far forward as possible or is this even needed.

[RunnerRunner96]

Im runnin 63's off a 2000 1500 2wd. Work killler bent em up pretty fast though. The metal sleeves are not fun to get out.

[RunnerRunner96]

I would run it as far forward as possible you never know what your going to do with your suspension down the road might as well plan ahead. I ran mine as far forward as I could with out hindering the steering geometry. Also when i go to a 4 link sometime soon I can get my front end further forward for better approach angle without re-mounting my steering gear.