i just did the chevy leaf swap on my 90. my brother loved the way it rides now and he wants to get a soft ride as well. he has an 85 with a bobbed bed he bought the pickup that way and the frame was chopped right at the rear perch. So chevy springs are out of the question for him. I have seen and herd people do the double shackle thing im not a fan of the look or the idea. i hurd that ford leaf springs off a 2x4 will work i measured them at a junk yard still to long? any ideas on a really soft ride in the rear for him other than a 3 or 4 link. He is a broke high school kid so hes wallet is in mind

 

You could build a frame extension and still get chevy springs, unless the bed is bobbed too short or you don't have access to a welder.

 

Yea I have a welded but the whole bed and frame were chopped right at the rear perch mount and I can't convence him to bring it back to origanal lenth

 

Your on the right track with the f150 springs.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=700418

 

x2 on the F150 springs. My 4Runner is bobbed 12" with F150 springs. I actually had to move the shackle mount forward 3 or 4".

 

Thank u a ton guys can I get a few pics of how u set it up. 87deathtrap!!

 

is it a pickup? ZUK mod?

 

Here's a link that might save you some time at the junkyard.
http://littlekeylime.com/MrN/mrnimages/leaf_springs.png

I got most of my information from the same thread that Rattlewagon linked above, here some pics:

New front spring hanger placed 11" forward of the factory one (hole to hole). Be sure to line it up with the old one to get the springs straight.

Some guys get away without moving the shackle mount, I didn't. You've just got to tack and cut until you get the right shackle angle, mine was 3-4" forward.

I would suggest buying all new spring hangers and shackle mounts, they're just too thin to cut off and re-weld IMO. I went with creeper joints and don't have any real complaints.
They ride pretty smooth, flex well, and have way better departure angle than Chevy 63's.

 

Hows the axle wrap with the f150s? Any need for a traction bar?

 

I haven't noticed any axle wrap with these springs, yet.

 

perfect thanks did it throw your pinion off at all ?

 

The pinion angle dropped a little, but it still seems fine. I don't have any rear end vibration, aside from a twisted up d-shaft.