PsychoticDeadGuy
1/2 ton status
Ok. well I have been quite busy today. I put in my 63" springs while keeping the wheelbase close to stock. I only pushed the axle bach 1.5". And the whole process was pretty easy considering I already had the rear shacle flip. So, after I have looked for a good write up and have talked to a few people that have done it and other people that wanted to see a write up, I decided to make my own. I started by getting a pair of leafs from the local pick-n-pull for $60. The packs were brand new. They were still black with no rust and even had the sticker from the maker on it. I pulled them off of a '88 1/2 ton 2wd pickup.
My stock suspension sucked. The shackle angle made for a very harsh ride and I didn't get as mush suspension travel as I wanted.
My stock 52s and ORD zero rates. With shackle flip and crappy shackle angle:
Stock 52s vs. 63" spring pack. Notice I removed the overload. The 52s were an overload and a zero rate taller.
To keep the axle where it was, I had to move the front hanger forward. This was the most time consuming task all day. A lot of grinding and measuring and more measuring and finaly welding them in there new home.
The other day, I made shackles that were 7.5" long. I just cut an old shackle in half and added metal. Another time consuming project. I had to move my ORD shackle hangers back about 2". I reused one of the holes on the bottom side so this didn't require too much measuring.
Well, this was a pretty easy install. I did have to use the ORD zero rates on the 63s besause they sat just below where I wanted. If you notice in the last pic, I have a serious case of invisable U-bolts so I have not driven it yet. I will tighten up all of the bolts and put on some new U-bolts tomorrow and will post and update on how it drives. I think anyone can do this swap. I am only 17 and had a major hangover from a high school football game last night...And yes I know I need to paint all my welds and clean up the shackles and stuff so don't think I forgot about the little details. I hope this write up helps out anyone that is thinking of the 63" or similar swaps. Thanks for reading. Good Luck and go Wheelin'
My stock suspension sucked. The shackle angle made for a very harsh ride and I didn't get as mush suspension travel as I wanted.
My stock 52s and ORD zero rates. With shackle flip and crappy shackle angle:
Stock 52s vs. 63" spring pack. Notice I removed the overload. The 52s were an overload and a zero rate taller.
To keep the axle where it was, I had to move the front hanger forward. This was the most time consuming task all day. A lot of grinding and measuring and more measuring and finaly welding them in there new home.
The other day, I made shackles that were 7.5" long. I just cut an old shackle in half and added metal. Another time consuming project. I had to move my ORD shackle hangers back about 2". I reused one of the holes on the bottom side so this didn't require too much measuring.
Well, this was a pretty easy install. I did have to use the ORD zero rates on the 63s besause they sat just below where I wanted. If you notice in the last pic, I have a serious case of invisable U-bolts so I have not driven it yet. I will tighten up all of the bolts and put on some new U-bolts tomorrow and will post and update on how it drives. I think anyone can do this swap. I am only 17 and had a major hangover from a high school football game last night...And yes I know I need to paint all my welds and clean up the shackles and stuff so don't think I forgot about the little details. I hope this write up helps out anyone that is thinking of the 63" or similar swaps. Thanks for reading. Good Luck and go Wheelin'
