I know most the regulars could handle this with their eyes closed, but I thought maybe some of the newer users would find it helpful, and I can link whenever I tell someone to use the bracket.

So!

First, support the truck on proper jack stands by the frame leaving enough room for the axle to droop down the 4inches you're about to lift it. (multi color paint optional)



Use a jack to take weight off of the axle and support it because you're about to unbolt the rear shackles. I actually took my axle completely out, I can't remember why right now, but its not necessary.



The passenger side would not come undone, so I just cut right through the shackle (got new ones from the ford dealer for not too much).



Next up you have to grind off the 4 rivets that hold the shackle mount on. I used a grinder with a diamond blade on it. People say they aren't meant for metal, but they work very well and last a long time Then I used an air hammer to pop them out after they were ground flush.



You have to drill out the holes for the 1/2" bolts that are provided with the shackle flip. Some say upgrade to grade 8, I used what came with it. Up to you and what you use your truck for.



Take them off and paint them and bolt it all back up




Shackle angle is really bad at this point, but I had no weight on it so I didn't want to just guess on where to drill new holes. It could be moved forward maybe an inch or so at this point, but it doesn't seem to hurt the performance of the truck right now.




oh and I painted everything with POR15 shortly after this mod, so :flipoff2: at any comments about my paint

 

looks good paul... deff like the multi color paint job... matches the body

 

Once again Good job Bubba.

 

Good job Paul, bet it was pretty easy with the body off!

 

Yep, body off makes it easy. I'm sure you could still wrestle a wrench through the underside if you were determined to not drop the tank, but probably easier to just drop it.

 

I know you said the pinion angle isn't good (any pics?) and the shackle could be moved forward about a 1" and drill new holes, so would you think the Shackle on FSB would fix the shackle angle since it has adjustment holes in the bracket?

Not saying I'm going to buy one now, but keeping options open.

Thanks.

 

Pinion angle is pretty good actually.

The FSB bracket is adjustable so it would probably make things easier to get the shackle angle correct. I'll have to take some current pictures of my sky bracket, because the angle is better with the weight of the body and all my junk on it, but its still not to where it should be.

 

very good info here

 

nice writeup, direct and too the point.

just wanted to add for the newbies that this mod will lower your weight capacity if you haul heavy loads.

 

who's the moderator around here? I dont think its fred anymore is it?

Well if it is still fred... You know what to do...
If not... New mod please link to first post on tech thread under suspension preferably...

 

I got Adrian ("Fred") to come down and add the d60 swap to the tech thread. I don't know why he doesn't spend much time down here any more though.

 

Paul,
do you notice that your axle sits just a little farther forward in your rear fenderwell now? From what Im reading (think left coast) a shackle flip will move your axle roughly 1 1/2" forward. The best method of fixing this while also making your shackle angle perfect is to move the front hanger back almost 2".

Any thoughts on this?

 

I read about that before doing it, but I honestly didn't notice a difference big enough to warrant moving the front hanger. If you're up for the extra work then moving the front hanger back to get the correct shackle angle would work.

 

It wont be a tremendous amount of extra work. The PO ground out all the rivets and replaced them with bolts. So all Id have to do is unbolt and move back.

 

Rep points and added to tech folderHe is busy



Fredrian