it has taking a while but i finally have my chevy rear leaf spring swap done, well at-least 95%. i have been trying to improve the ride on my truck and decided to swap chevy leafs and a shackle flip. the new leafs are 63" long versus ours 52" (if my memory serves me well)
im going to try to post a few pics.....

this picture is just the main leaf laying on the spring perch you can see where the old spring mount was

I decided to use the chevy spring mounts instead of the factory dodge ones mainly because the spring eye bolt was 9/16 versus 3/4"
i used the top forward original mount hole to locate my new bracket. one problem that still needs to be addressed is the bed mount needs to be mounted in the center of the new bracket. you can see the three holes in the above pic, it ALMOST fits...

you can better see the bed mount holes and the chevy spring mount befor i modified it.

 

as far as the shackle end of things i decided to go with a shackle flip


i have some better pics coming but they need to be approved

in this pic i have the truck blocked at its original ride height and the new leaf just sitting on the perch. you can see how much it is going to lift the truck and i have a 6" shackle still needing to go in....

 

I took a few measurements for you guys who like numbers..
i measured between axle tube and bottom of the frame rail.
my truck measured 12" but my truck had some weird home brew lift block setup from the po

I had Richie O measure his truck with a six inch block and he came back with 14"
with the chevy leafs and shackle flip and no blocks i have a measurement of 16" (keep in mind that the truck has no bed on it)

 

the one concern i have is my exhaust. because of the longer springs my tail pipe needs to be moved. not sure what to do about this... i really want a 4" exhaust but a custom one is out of the question
any suggestions?

 

is that one ton or 3/4 ton. chev parts? i love the idea thought about it myself and adding what i could to the front. got to love that bracket plenty stout.

 

sadly they are 1500 springs.... i searched every junkyard for a country mile and no one had 3/4 ton springs... i don't use my truck for anything but daily driving so figured they would work for me... if they seam to soft i will swap in 3/4's or possibly a air bag setup

 

Put a turn down on it in front of the axle until you can build your exhaust. That will be free to do.
Looks nice, I'm interested in how the half tons ride and the overall "lift" you will get from the set up. Are the chevy halfs 2.5" wide or are they 3"? If 3" how did you mount to the D70?

 

Awesome Bradshaw! Brake Service (now Traction) in Bangor will have any spring you want, especially for heavier trucks. You can get a set of new springs for $300-$400 conservatively.

If you BUY a 4" exhaust, get a Diamond eye for $250 (shipped!). The way I got it, I could slightly tweak the over axle part with the tail pipe and get the 4" to go out at a 45* instead of 90*. That might help you clear. If not, cut and weld a 4" peice in from Napa or similar. Shouldn't cost more than $30 or so. Heck, I got lots of 4" peices kicking around you could have if you only need a short peice as well.

I'm interested to hear how it goes. Keep us informed.

 

Very Cool. I was looking at getting longer springs for my other one to do some experimenting too . Do you have any plans for the front ? I have talked to a Fab guy about doing the front with coils

 

another picture.. the truck actually sits lower but it is blocked up in the back in this pic...

 

as far as the front is concerned im putting skyjackers in. i already have them.
Luke one of these days i would like to catch up with you to look at your exhaust to see if it fit befor i buy one. where did you order yours from?? 250 shipped is a pretty good deal

 

the chevy springs are 2.5 wide

 

How did you like bending that bottom web in place on the frame? Looks good, and I think you are smart getting away from the " pricey " dodge hangers.

 

not bad nothing a set of torches and some c-clamps couldn't handle.....
did you end up putting the plastic strips back on to protect the tank??

 

Yup, I put it back. My truck won't see winter ever again so I figured I better put it back. I did my bottom web cold with lots of clamps.