Chevy leafs/building your own leaf pack

[akaFrankCastle]

So, Corey and I have had a few brief discussions about Project X. One of the things mentioned was possibly using Chevy leafs and hangers because they are longer than stock Bronco springs, providing more potential for flex. Also, the damn things are plentiful at the salvage yard. For the benefit of the community, and my thumbs as I hate texting most days, I thought I would move the convo here. Also, to get some more input from you guys.

First things first. I know jack about locating spring hangers. And with X being completely stripped of all stock suspension hardware, I have no reference to go off of when mounting anything new. So, if I went this route, basic mechanics behind mounting the hangers would be:
1) Determine spacing between hangers prior to removing from donor vehicle.
2) Determine axle placement under the truck, adjusting for any desired shift forward or back.
3) From proposed centerline of axle tube, as determined by desired placement, move out to appropriate hanger spacing, mark, and mount.

Sound about right? My conundrum will be determining that axle placement location. Kind of a chicken and the egg type thing. I have no axles yet. Would like to get the hangers and springs mounted first, because they are easier to find and cheaper to source than axles.

Second topic here is building your own leaf pack. Corey mentioned the possibility of hitting the salvage yard, ripping apart several sets of leafs, and stacking up your own "custom" leaf pack providing whatever lift and flex you desired. Anyone have any experience with doing such a thing? Any tips or pointers to make this concept easier?

[Jesus_man]

Seems like your steps are in order. You can do diagonal measurements to square it all up.

As for the hangers, consider more lift (like 5.5" or so) but push the spring hangers up as high as you can, so the net is maybe 3.5" of lift. If you crawl under my rig, you'll see where my hangers have gotten hung up on everything. Going with bigger tires would help them make contact before the hangers, but if you're going with longer springs... Or stay with 3.5" of lift and add spring rockers for the other 2".

Just something I have been considering for a long time.

[Justin]

You might give Clint at Battlement a call. He's using these springs for his KOH rig. I've thought about it as well, as it'd be an easy way to extend the wheelbase while getting a little more flex. Honestly, my Superlift springs stuff really well, so I'm not sure there is a huge benefit unless you're going with more than 3.5" of lift. I think the Chevy springs are 4" or so longer than stock, so you could locate the forward perches in the stock spot, mount the rears 4" back, and have a 2" extension with little muss or fuss. And who doesn't mind an extra 2"?

[Jesus_man]

And who doesn't mind an extra 2"?

Oh boy...can-o-worms right there!

[Colorado75bronc]

Ya but it's a beat to crap trail rig, so what if he has to hack the inner fenders, and you can go 3 1/2-4"s without worrying about gas tank or crossmember issues depending on rear axle choice, plus I think zac should run a fuel cell, stretch the wheel base to some where around 100-105"s and relocate cross members as needed