Put the Velvet Ride shackles on today using <a href="https://www.ford-trucks.com/contents/getitems.php3?Velvet%20Ride%20Shackle%20Install">t hese</a> instructions but came up with an improvement.
These and other instructions (including the ones that came with it) say you need to lower the axle below the frame to get the top shackle bolt out. That means you need to disconnect your shocks, sway bar, spare tire and trailer hitch and be careful you don't tear the break lines off. After undoing the shocks and sway bar on my truck I was reluctantly eyeballing my trailer hitch and had an epiphany.
Once you have the shackle nuts and bottom bolt out just jack the axle up with a floor jack under the differential forcing the spring to spread against rear bracket. Eventually it will spread far enough that the upper bolt will slide out over the top of the frame. Worked great and saved a bunch of time.
By the way, I'm impressed with the way the new shackles work.

 

Great tip. Thanx. reps sent.

 

I didn't think you could get velvet ride shackles anymore. Where did they come from?

I've read that the VR shackles lower the rear ride height some....is this true??

 

I got mine from someone on eBay about a year ago. The box says Lakewood :: Performance, Safety and Suspension Products and Mr. Gasket - Everything Performance. While I was searching for them, way back when, I found a couple of places that were either out of business or no longer made them but I believe I found someone that was doing them again. Whether it was one of the sites above or not I don't remember.
They do lower the rear a bit but I didn't measure mine. I've seen reports of 1/2" to 1". I've wanted to level my truck by lifting the front but by installing these I've accomplished that, just in reverse.
There are several references to VR shackles if you google them.

 

Hmmm . . . I didn't type all that stuff after "Lakewood" and "Mr. Gasket" maybe they're sponsors? Have'nt been here in awhile.

 

YA NO KIDDIN!!!

Good to see ya on again! Back In Boise yet?

 

Yeah, been back a couple of months. Just been working on the house and such instead of the truck. Probably heading for the LA area in a few weeks. Not really looking forward to that. Except for the paycheck of course.