For All the Guys Running 63" Chevy Springs

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I'm going to be putting some 63" leaf springs front & rear on my cruiser, and just wanted to ask about the U-bolts everyone used. Do you have to use Chevy's or can you use Toyota u-bolts?

 

[MolallaCruiser]

springover or under?

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Well, as of right now its SUA. But I am planning a SOA conversion once I get all the components I need.

 

[Heckraiser]

I used the u-bolt flip kit from marlin (spring over). The springs are a little wider than toyota springs, but toyota u-bolts and plates should fit around them with a little wiggling. This is on the mini-truck, but should still work.

:edit: I don't think you can put the 63" springs on the front unless you want to extend your frame out forward to hang them (and in the process destroy your approach angle).

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Are they designed for a SOA suspension or SUA? From the looks of it I would say for an SOA, but I could be wrong.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I was looking at the MAF kit, but I just wanted to see if that would work/ What other people have done in the past.

 

[brokenparts]

I would NOT suggest them for the front springs. Most run them SOA.

Sent from my DROIDX

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

You would not suggest running the 63" Chevy springs up front? I was planning on modifying the spring pack probably taking a leaf out to help them flex a bit better. I am also planning on doing a cummins swap so I wanted to increase the load carrying ability of the suspension.

 

[Heckraiser]

Are they designed for a SOA suspension or SUA? From the looks of it I would say for an SOA, but I could be wrong.

They are designed for spring over (or stock in mini-truck speak). It is two round u bolts and a plate that goes on the top. Actually, come to think of it, this kit might not be so simple on a cruiser because the diff-side spring perch might cause some complications. On the mini-truck, both u-bolts just go around a plain round naked axle tube.

 

[Heckraiser]

You would not suggest running the 63" Chevy springs up front? I was planning on modifying the spring pack probably taking a leaf out to help them flex a bit better. I am also planning on doing a cummins swap so I wanted to increase the load carrying ability of the suspension.

They are too long. Measure from the center of your stock spring pack forward 31.5" and you'll be about 6" out in front of your current front bumper. (Just guessing at the actual number, but they are way longer than stock springs with the center pin in the middle of the spring)

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Oh wow I can't believe I didn't think about that. I guess I'll run modified fj60 or 62 rears. The 62's are definitely nicer.

 

[Heckraiser]

Yeah. If I go that route, I'll probably run my OME springs and just french the shackle hangers into the frame so they're not too tall.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

The 63" Chevies are really nice, I got one of them cleaned up and am gonna finish cleaning up the next one. Should definitely fix the saggin rear.

 

[lehiguy]

I used the u-bolt flip kit from marlin (spring over). The springs are a little wider than toyota springs, but toyota u-bolts and plates should fit around them with a little wiggling. This is on the mini-truck, but should still work.

:edit: I don't think you can put the 63" springs on the front unless you want to extend your frame out forward to hang them (and in the process destroy your approach angle).

The Toyota springs are actually wider than the Chevy 63" springs by about 1/4". Minitruck springs are completely different than Cruiser springs.

 

[Heckraiser]

The Toyota springs are actually wider than the Chevy 63" springs by about 1/4". Minitruck springs are completely different than Cruiser springs.

Right you are, I must have had them mixed up in my head. I just looked in the garage and the chevy springs are 2.5" wide vs. 2.75" on the OME's.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Yeah, I definitely want to preserve the already not so great approach angle. Well its nice to know I can use toyota U-bolts. Thanks again to everyone on this. BTW I remember seeing someone said he was running the 56" chevy's in the front of his 60 can't remember who it was though.

 

[boots4]

I run a hybrid pack up front out of a ford ranger rear main (58") and GM stepvan springs. The center pin is offset and the front of the spring is at THE front of the frame and I did move my front axle forward too. I'd say it flexs pretty good. I'd say the 53" or 56" (I measured once but can't remember which is was) found on rear domestics would be a good choice. Expect to tune them some to get them where you want. I prefer fewer thicker leaves rather than many thin leaves because I think they hold up a little better to the additional weight. Broken 60 springs (at least stock) seem to be common.

For my 63s in the rear I found a 4 leaf + overload (5 total leaves) to be great for weight capacity and flex.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Yeah, I'm going to be running the 4 leaf + overload on the back of my 60. Its going to be more of an expedition truck so I wanted the carrying capacity.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I was going to suggest the 57" springs for the front. Boots' rig flexes very well, heed his advice.

If you look at the leaf thicknesses between the Toyota and Chevy springs, you will want the Chevy springs. They're a half inch thick!

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Oh I know, they're crazy stout. What do the 57" leaf springs come off of?