Add A Leaf

 

Oh. I should have guessed... My brother doesn't want me to to use the shackle flip cause it changes the angle of the leafs and makes them weaker.. So pretty much i don't know how i am going to go about lifting it yet, i figured maybe rough country or someone has a fair priced lift kit and i can buy the coils separate.

 

WRONG!!!!!!

It changes the angle of the pinion and thus removes the need for the factory wedge.
Think about it for a minute, if you have a shackle flip it changes the angle of the spring and that is how you lift the truck.

A lift spring does the exact same thing. It has more arch, which means a longer spring, but the factory wedge must remain.
this is due to the angle the spring is where it meets the axle.

In no way shape or form does a shackle flip weaken the springs, it has been done for years and years.

 

Ya, now how well would that work in conjunction with a block? I know the shackle flip gives about 4 to 4.5 inches of lift then could i use a 2" block for a total of 6?

 

Use and Add A Leaf, I have about 6.5" between the shackle flip and the AAL.
NO BLOCKS EVER!!

 

This is true. I didnt think that i only need 2inches in AAL... Good thinkin bossman slim.

 

Got the springs finished up today and put them on the frame.
Going to get the rear axle painted tomorrow, I need new U bolts and spring plates (because of the zero rates).

 

That looks pretty good, it might be becasue of my terrible memory or the fact that i amphisically and mentally exhausted but how much lift is that? I found a "full" 4inch lift kit from Rough Country for around $390. Then the 4" shackles which are around 180 dollars due to the powder coating option. All together i can guess around $600 for an almost complete 4 inch lift. I might have to do brake lines and the the track bar drop and radius arm drop.

 

Looking good. You are making me realize I need to put shackle flip on my to do list before I get to the driving stage. I have 6" block on the rear now (prior owner install) and was trying to figure out how to correct that. Keep up the good work. Every time I check your progress my to do list gets longer.

 

Yeah i don't think i will be doing the shackle flip or any lift any time soon. I don't have money for it yet.

 

Got the rear axle under it today.
For those curious about the zero rates, this is what they do

 

Looks pretty good. So it may be obvious and I just don't see it or maybe i suck at learning but what is zero rate? Does it just replace the stock shim so the axle can naturally follow the angle the shackle gives it?

 

Basically yes, but it bolts to the spring pack and has provisions for moving the axle forward or back either 1" or 1 1/2".
Notice how the center pin is forward of center of the axle? That is what they are for.
When you do a shackle flip the axle moves forward about 1 1/2".

Add a Leafs, Zero Rate for 4x4 Suspensions from Offroad Design

 

I did notice the pin was off and though it was a bit odd but also thought that was normal for this stuff. I have never seen a centering pin alone before so this was weird. Pretty cool though, now when/if i do a flip would i be able to go this route over re-bolting the mount? Just keep the flip mounts where the stock ones line up and use the zero rate block?

 

Ordered my frame side radius arm link brackets yesterday, should be here Friday
Chassis Link Bracket - RuffStuff Specialties

And I bought these

They are for adapting eyelet shocks rather than the stem type that the Bronco has, more shock options this way.

Dropped off my track bar to be cut and rethreaded, it needs to be shortened by 3".
Also ordered my DOM and tabs for the radius arms, should be a fun weekend!