63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

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GWag89
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63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by GWag89 »

How wide are the TTFab spring hangers on the inside?

Every 63" spring hanger i can find is 3" wide on the inside of the hanger to allow for the use of poly bushings with 1/4" lip around the spring eye(2.5" spring + 1/4" on either side of the spring eye = 3")

the 4" lift springs i have on my GW are installed with OEM type bushings that don't have the extra 1/4" on either side like the polys. Im trying to figure out what bushings I should use based on the inside width of the spring hanger provided by TTF.

I know the creator of the kit is a regular on this forum so I figured this would be the place to ask.
James Stanley

89 Grand Wagoneer- 727/229/D44s
Front: 4"+ springs, 1"+ chevy shackle
Rear: Shackle Flip with 63" chevy springs
999 Offroad Skid Plate
4.0 swap in progress
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Stuka
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by Stuka »

Not sure on the full width. But if you go with poly bushings, know that they will be loud. Greasing them will quiet them down some, but they will still squeak like crazy.

There are plenty of people using the flip kit with those springs, but I think they all use OEM rubber bushings.
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GWag89
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by GWag89 »

sounds good to me. I know the rubber bushings are significantly less $$ than the polys.

If anyone else running this setup want to run out to the driveway with a tape measure feel free to report back :-bd

Im going to the local "pick n Save" this weekend to pick up some 63" chevy rears with the shackles. I plan to use the chevy shackle on the front for a 1" lift shackle. I have the BJs 2" HD shackle now and i dont like the way they hang down below the bumper and roll the pinion up. Hopefully the shorter Chevy shackle will solve my problem.
James Stanley

89 Grand Wagoneer- 727/229/D44s
Front: 4"+ springs, 1"+ chevy shackle
Rear: Shackle Flip with 63" chevy springs
999 Offroad Skid Plate
4.0 swap in progress

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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by KJ Ryu »

Tad is the guy who designed them Try PMing him on here.
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by Tad »

GWag89 wrote:How wide are the TTFab spring hangers on the inside?...
3" (it's actually just a hair under that)

I don't really understand the rest of your question.
I've been running 63's since 2006.
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by GWag89 »

Tad, what bushings do you run in the eyes of your 63s.

When i pull the springs Im going to order new bushings. I just need to know what bushings i should get to replace the worn out junk yard bushings. If the hanger was 2.75" then i would go with oem rubber. Since the hanger is closer to 3" i feel like ploy bushing will be needed to take up the .5" difference between the spring eye(2.5") and the inside of the hanger(-3")

I was trying to think ahead of problems i may run into. But if you have a proven set up that works let me know what you run and ill imitate that
James Stanley

89 Grand Wagoneer- 727/229/D44s
Front: 4"+ springs, 1"+ chevy shackle
Rear: Shackle Flip with 63" chevy springs
999 Offroad Skid Plate
4.0 swap in progress
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by GWag89 »

hopefully this explains my question better. I know pictures always help me get a better understanding

OEM style bushing give you 2.5"
reareye.jpg
vs

Poly bushings have .25" lip on the outside. when combined with the 2.5" spring eye you get 3"
reareye2 (480x640).jpg

In my opinion a 2.5" spring eye mounted in a 3" bracket will leave .5" of play.
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James Stanley

89 Grand Wagoneer- 727/229/D44s
Front: 4"+ springs, 1"+ chevy shackle
Rear: Shackle Flip with 63" chevy springs
999 Offroad Skid Plate
4.0 swap in progress
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by Tad »

GWag89 wrote:Tad, what bushings do you run in the eyes of your 63s...
Stock bushings.
I'll get you a pic when it gets light out.

IMO you don't want poly if you can avoid it.
I have poly in my Nissan and they squeak like crazy.
Yes you can grease them, you can grease them every 3-4 weeks.
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by GWag89 »

Thanks Tad.

Saving $ and avoiding a squeaky suspension sounds like the obvious choice. I just wanted to make sure everything would jive clearance wise with the the TTF (your) shackle flip brackets. Thanks for putting me on the right track. I pulled the springs this AM, now I can order some new bushings for them.

One more question while im at it. Will the Dana 44 spring plates off my jeep work with the chevy springs?
James Stanley

89 Grand Wagoneer- 727/229/D44s
Front: 4"+ springs, 1"+ chevy shackle
Rear: Shackle Flip with 63" chevy springs
999 Offroad Skid Plate
4.0 swap in progress
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by Tad »

Here is a shot of my 63's in the front hanger.
It's a bit hard to see but there is a metal portion that extends out one side and the bushing protrudes slightly out the other. The hanger has enough give for a snug, but not binding fit.
front hanger.JPG
It's been 8 years but I did notice (besides rotting bushings) something about the GM Shackles I have in the rear.
Here's a shot of an FSJ shackle in my front hanger, same jig, same width as the rear kits have.
FSJ Shackle.JPG
Nice snug fit, the way it should be.
Now here is a shot of the GM shackle in the rear.
GM Shackle.JPG
Notice I had to space it out with washers.
I had totally forgotten about doing that.
I like the bit of extra height and clearance the GM shackle provides as the 63's have large spring eyes at both ends and rubbed the FSJ shackles a bit.
When I get time to install new bushings I'll see if the FSJ shackle bushings will install into the GM shackles.
GWag89 wrote:...One more question while im at it. Will the Dana 44 spring plates off my jeep work with the chevy springs?
Yes.
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by GWag89 »

Those 3 pics answered my question perfectly.
James Stanley

89 Grand Wagoneer- 727/229/D44s
Front: 4"+ springs, 1"+ chevy shackle
Rear: Shackle Flip with 63" chevy springs
999 Offroad Skid Plate
4.0 swap in progress
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by GWag89 »

this past weekend I pulled a set of 63" springs from an early 90s 1500 2wd w/ 3 leaf + 1 overload and a 2 3/16" pack thickness

after searching craigslist today i ran upon a set of 63s from a 99 1500. the only difference is the 99 springs are 2 leaf + 1 overload and the pack thickness is 1 3/4"

according to the leaf spring chart i have saved on my computer both springs have the same 1425 lbs spring capacity, width and length.

Is one style preferable over the other? are there any known advantages or disadvantages to the newer 2 leaf pack springs?
James Stanley

89 Grand Wagoneer- 727/229/D44s
Front: 4"+ springs, 1"+ chevy shackle
Rear: Shackle Flip with 63" chevy springs
999 Offroad Skid Plate
4.0 swap in progress
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by Stuka »

The two leaf pack may flex better since their are fewer leaves (but same overall spring rate), but the three leaf pack will resist axle wrap more.
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by GWag89 »

thats what i was thinking. guess ill stick with the 3 pack i have now.

chevy springs are very plentiful around here so I may experiment with different springs and leaf combination later on.

thanks for the advise Stuka :-bd you do a helluva job slinging tech on this forum and it is much appreciated
James Stanley

89 Grand Wagoneer- 727/229/D44s
Front: 4"+ springs, 1"+ chevy shackle
Rear: Shackle Flip with 63" chevy springs
999 Offroad Skid Plate
4.0 swap in progress
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by Tad »

I ran the 3 leaf packs with the overloads removed since 2006.
Right before Ouray I reinstalled the overload as I knew I would be carrying significant weight and towing a very full trailer.
It did raise the rear about 3/4" but it also helped with body sway on the highway.
Not sure if I will leave the overloads in there when the new 14-bolt comes back from the shop next week.
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by GWag89 »

Im going to need longer e brake cables now that the axle is pushed back.

what J truck had the longest wheel base? or is there another vehicle I can scavenge E brake cables from that will bolt up to my D44?
James Stanley

89 Grand Wagoneer- 727/229/D44s
Front: 4"+ springs, 1"+ chevy shackle
Rear: Shackle Flip with 63" chevy springs
999 Offroad Skid Plate
4.0 swap in progress
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by Tad »

IIRC '89 would have the type of connectors shown below.
Fab up some longer versions or cut and extend your existing ones.
As long as you can slip the cable lug inside and slide it into the locked position you are good to go.
image.jpg
A collection of 1966 to 1986 parts.
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Re: 63" Chevy springs with TTFab SF

Post by GWag89 »

That should be an easy fix. Thanks tad
James Stanley

89 Grand Wagoneer- 727/229/D44s
Front: 4"+ springs, 1"+ chevy shackle
Rear: Shackle Flip with 63" chevy springs
999 Offroad Skid Plate
4.0 swap in progress
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