Losing the blocks
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Originally Posted by Kymber
Ivan I looked at the front hangers on my 77 150 and the part of the hanger that the spring attaches to is revers yours. so if I were to flip the hanger for the rear the spring would have to attach to the top of the hanger. Did you have this issue?
Did I lose you?
Did I lose you?
Your hangers should be no different from mine at all. If you look at my shackle flip gallery pictures 1 and 2 are the stock bracket that sits at the REAR of the rear spring. In picture 2 I've just turned it upside down. In picture 3 I've replaced the stock bracket with a FRONT hanger for the rear spring. If you look at your hanger (the part that holds the front eye of the spring . . . with no shackle) it will look the same as the hanger than I used in picture 3. If you want to set it up like I did you need to buy a second set of hangers and just replace the rear brackets.Don't know if this is making sense at all. It seems that it is really confusing to explain this with all the 'front' and 'rear' references. If it isn't clear let me know and I'll see if I can get some pictures that will provide more detail tomorrow.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Florida
No you made perfect sence I guess what I am saying is that the part of the hanger that I put the box around is reverese yours. Unless I am being a complete idiot (which is not that far out of the question) The spring eye would have to attach to the top of the hanger when flipped.Or did you just place he hangers higher on the frame with no flip?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
This may seem redundant, but I have a few questions. 1.) You flip front shackle of the rear leaf spring to get lift desired? Also move it forward 2 inches? 2.) The front leaf shackle on the truck should be flipped, and moved forward also?? 3.) How do you attain proper angle 35 degrees, do you flip shackle,install top bolts, and then drill holes through shackle after weight of truck moves it forward? 4.) And lastly how high do you raise truck to take weight off leaf springs to do shackle flip? Can you flip one side of front and rear, if you can't raise vehicle up high enough on both sides at once? Sorry for all the questions, but I would like to know how to do this before I get into it. And it sounds like it would be a good idea to weld back side of shackle with plate to reinforce for strength? Please advise Jeff
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
1, 3.) Your rear spring should not have a front shackle. The shackle will be in the back. If you use the stock bracket and flip it upside down you'll need to move it forward about 2" to acheive the proper angle. I found that if my shackle was straight up and down with no weight on the truck that it would settle to 35 degrees when I let the truck down.
2.) Don't know what you mean by your question. Are you talking about the front leaf spring or are you talking about a front shackle on the rear spring? Again, there's no front shackle on the rear spring. If you mean the front leaf spring the shackle already points down, not up. So there's no flipping it.
4.) Use a floor jack under the frame. You can do one side at a time. Use a keg for good safety so the truck doesn't fall on you.
Reinforcing the shackle would not be a bad idea as it will help prevent the ears from bending.
2.) Don't know what you mean by your question. Are you talking about the front leaf spring or are you talking about a front shackle on the rear spring? Again, there's no front shackle on the rear spring. If you mean the front leaf spring the shackle already points down, not up. So there's no flipping it.
4.) Use a floor jack under the frame. You can do one side at a time. Use a keg for good safety so the truck doesn't fall on you.
Reinforcing the shackle would not be a bad idea as it will help prevent the ears from bending.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
[QUOTE=ivanribic]
4.) Use a keg for good safety so the truck doesn't fall on you.QUOTE]
I suggest you empty the keg first, that way if the truck does fall you wont risk damaging the beer. Also your shackle will come out way cooler if you build them while plastered.
4.) Use a keg for good safety so the truck doesn't fall on you.QUOTE]
I suggest you empty the keg first, that way if the truck does fall you wont risk damaging the beer. Also your shackle will come out way cooler if you build them while plastered.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
So this shackle flip will only raise the back of the truck, and not the front? I was hopping to raise the front also. Bigger tires could use couple inches clearance in the front. I already shimmed the front bumper. Thanks for the conmments, Do you know an inexpensive way to raise front of truck, without buying leveling kit? THanks Jeff
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
If it's a leaf spring suspension up front your easiest way will be to build longer shackles. Are your shackles for the front of the truck at the front or the rear of the spring? I know that on the 78/79 trucks (and I believe all the 80's trucks) the shackle is at the rear end of the spring and could be made VERY easily for only the cost of materials (maybe $20 tops). The only thing you'll have to keep an eye on is pinion angle. If your shackles are in the front it may be a little more tricky. Another option is to build drop hangers. This cost me about $40 in materials but will require a little more fabrication. I'll post some pics of both options Friday if not sooner.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 836
Likes: 2
From: Shreveport, LA
Ivan Said: "4.) Use a floor jack under the frame. You can do one side at a time. Use a keg for good safety so the truck doesn't fall on you."
Heheh..yah..that's what I use a keg for when I work on my vehicle. The safety is so when the pumpkin settles onto my kneecap, I wont feel it as much, therefore remain more clear headed so I can yelp for help.
Some cheaper people slide a boiler maker under there for the same reason.
Heheh..yah..that's what I use a keg for when I work on my vehicle. The safety is so when the pumpkin settles onto my kneecap, I wont feel it as much, therefore remain more clear headed so I can yelp for help.
Some cheaper people slide a boiler maker under there for the same reason.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
Originally Posted by jesse460
I suggest you empty the keg first, that way if the truck does fall you wont risk damaging the beer. Also your shackle will come out way cooler if you build them while plastered.
I'm in
