i am in the process of trying to install 2 inch drop shackles on my 1994 F150 longbed truck. I cannot figure out how to get the top shackle bolt out of the shackle. It basically looks like it is captive between the shackle and the frame. Anyone have any experience with this problem?

Also it looks like the longer shackle may hit the bottom of the bed box when in place. Does anyone have any experience with this problem?

Any info is appreciated!

 

You will probably have to notch the bed channels on both sides to allow the shackles to move with the travel of the suspension.

it has been a long time that I installed shackles on my truck. I believe u can either wiggle it out of there or there is enough room.

Put the frame on stands and place jack on the differential housing to move the springs up and down.

 

Lower bolt must be removed first, As someone else said, there should be room to get the upper bolt out once the rear eye of the spring can move up.

If there isn't room to get the bolt out between the frame of the bed, pull the front leaf bolt, force the axle as forward as you can and jack the back of the truck up until the rear of the leaf is below the frame then remove the bolt. You will have to fight with it and play with height of the truck while you try to move the axle forward because the drive-shaft and shocks will want to prevent you from moving the drive shaft forward very much.
IIRC you will need to clearance the bed floor (dent it up) but not the bed cross-members.

 

Thanks for the info. Working on the project again today.

 

I would cut the head off the bolt and buy a new bolt before hitting any sheet metal with a hammer.

 

I edited my post, it's not as easy or intuitive as it sounds. I forgot that not everyone has their rear hangers bolted on. I unbolt and drop the hangers with the shackle and spring. You will have to move the axle forward to get the spring and shackle around the hanger.


I would read the thread before commenting.

He's not going to have to hit the bed to get the old bolt out. He might have to hit the bed to make room for the drop shackles to move. If he doesn't they'll do it for him.

 

Ha! Sound advice. My bad.

 

Just finished the installation of the 2 inch drop shackles!

Hopefully the pics load!

First pic shows that I got the top bolt out by removing the bottom bolt first and then jacking the rear end up until the top bolt is moved up and rearward enough to clear the frame rail just enough to come out. I used a piece of wood placed right behind the bed bracing to give the spring eye something to continue traveling on after it came off of the bed bracing (helps the spring eye to move further backward).

Second pic shows the original bolt out.

Third pic shows the new bolt in.

Fourth pic shows the 2 inch drop shackle bolted on through the top bolt.

Fifth pic shows the finished installation with the truck sitting back on the ground.

Sixth pic shows the finished installation on the passenger side.

I forgot to get before and after pics of how the truck sits but it did indeed lower it 2 inches in the back. The truck still has a tilt toward the front (still about two inches high in the back but it was about 4 inches high in the back to begin with).

On my truck at least i did not have to clearance the bed bracing or the bed box itself. The top spring eye ended up with approx 1/2 inch of clearance all the way around it.

Ok pics didnt load...posted again below. (sigh)

 

OK...pics didnt load...trying again now