1st Gen Leaf Spring Options: Max Travel?

Looking for some insight on the maximum travel that various spring packs for 1st gen trucks allow.
My current 2007 DCSB can pull 14" on an Icon RXT spring pack. Shock relocation, extended brake lines, modified parking brake cable brackets, etc.
What are the common 1st gen spring packs capable of with an outboard shock relocation? I had an OME pack on a 98 and from what I remember it could do about 10-11". The All Pro/Trail Gear packs look like they could droop farther. Maybe the Deaver J59? Additionally, how much will be gained from the aftermarket shackles?
I'll be doing the shock relocation myself, and taking the bed off to do it. Going up into the bed to match maximum spring travel is an option, and I'm planning to notch the frame for clearance as well.

 

63" leaf swap

 

The J59s really travel a TON more than the OEM, but I don't have hard numbers for you, nor do I have comparisons against the others off the shelf options. 63" swap is great if you can do the work.

 

Not too interested in a 63 swap because of the length and the detriment to ground clearance in the front, and they don't seem to allow more than 14" or so anyways. Looked at that option on my 2nd gen but wasn't sold on it. I could be convinced otherwise if someone has experience with them and can share travel numbers.
Right now the best option is looking like either Allpro or J59 springs, a generic shock tower, extended lower mounts to get the shock away (forward) from the apex of the tire and the bump stop, 14" shocks, and maybe some sort of shackle in the rear.
A friend of mine has J59s but his shocks are still in the factory location. I don't think he ever tested what their max travel would be. Really like the ride with those springs from the time I've spent in his truck.

 

At this point, I'm not convinced the 63s are worth the work.

The down travel it appears I'll have is not really much more than the Alcans I was running.

 

63s my friend, bit of work to setup but they just work

 

I'm interested to see what the hell yours do, much longer shackles than recommended should take more force to fully pull them out (arc needs to be shorter on droop) but you might get more droop from it too with all your weight.

 

If you carry any weight, AllPro leafs are junk. I got WAY more travel, and better weight carrying capacity with my Alcans. I relocated the shocks, in board of frame, when I did the AllPro leafs, I'm comparing the AllPro and Alcans with the same shock location.

The 63s BEARLY make 14 inches of travel (without shocks even installed). And that is with allowing them to go pretty negative on up travel.

 

Once I'm at the point where I see where I am at with ACTUAL ride height, I may move the shackle perch again, as well as go back to a 6 inch shackle. We're still in the testing phase lol.

But right now, I'm not really all that impressed with the 63s compared to the Alcans. Which is exactly what I was worried was going to happen.

 

I kinda figured you'd go for a 4 link honestly after you initially scoffed at the 63s. I like the 63s for a weekend project and the $175 they cost to install, I don't think there is any leaf pack that can compete for the same cost invested. But you're nearing special use case scenario with all the weight and a pretty tall truck. Pulling over 14" is spring under and shackle over frame territory, something like Deaver makes. Then of course the cost is much much higher. Pretty sure the LT race guys start using that mentality when their goals are 16" or more of static wheel travel. But I do still think you'll be surprised with practical use how much you can get it to flex plus the ride of thinner packs is nice.

 

That's good to know. This truck will have up to 600lbs in it for certain trips, most would be around 400 max. On the other end, it will only have 100 or so most of the time. It seems that the Allpro options are either no weight, or a lot of weight for the Expedition springs.
Are Alcans custom order only still? What sort of lead time with them?

To add some more details to what I'm looking for: Handle up to 600 lbs, ride ok with no weight, probably a good middle ground would be fine. Spring over, 12"-14" of travel with 14" as the goal.

 

Sounds about like how mine is, probably closer to 750lbs of weight but still

 

California Smog wont allow 4 link. I can't relocate the fuel tank. Wont pass visual. If I did a link set up, it would have to be a 3 link.

If these 63s don't end up working out this wheeling season, I'll guess I'll get to explain to the wife why I'm spending money on new coilovers and trailing arms for the truck... after I just bought these 2.5 resi smoothies.

 

I was running the AllPro Expo springs. Still would not recommend.

Being that you're in Colorado, Alcan is a WAY better choice than Deaver. You could possibly pick up and avoid big shipping cost.

 

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised in dynamic testing how they do flex wise. But I did just go and peep your new shocks after you mentioned them and I have a feeling you're gonna have way too much rebound right now (if you left the factory Fox valving in them, saw you were gonna take em apart) and it's going to feel like crap, floaty and it'll pack up on fast stuff and be stiff. The 63s don't have a lot of energy to unpack and rebound naturally and mine were being held up by my shocks which had light leaf spring valving already. Made the rebound valving even lighter and it is great now.

 

Ya, I need to figure out how to valve them lighter. I remember you had said that before. I think I can call Accutune to get the correct shims. I ended up buying the shocks from Poly because they were around 500 bucks cheaper.

 

@PathFinder1776

This is the type of flex I was getting with the Alcans and inboard shocks.

 

Accutune would probably ship you shims, Kartek has em too. But give it a ride first, never know how much of a difference that extra leaf you have over me will make too.

 

Ya, I was kind of on the fence about it. But I think I'm going to do the first test running at Hammers and then decide what I want to do from there.

 

Awesome man, that's exactly the sort of travel I'm hoping for. What made you want to swap the Alcans out?