Front Spring Shackles

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Dec 13, 2004 | 07:28 PM

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From: British Columbia

Front Spring Shackles

Just wondering if anyone knew what year ford starting putting shackles oat the front of the front springs and not at the back. I'm manufacturing a shackle reverse kit for mine & my brother in laws truck. Instead of making the new rear shacle i was hoping to use them from an older ford, depending on measurements. i really dislike the stock setup because with larger tires it wanders alot

Dec 15, 2004 | 03:45 PM

RawPower

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From: Rep. of Texas

On newer trucks, 99-04, they use the rear shackle design, and are almost (+/- 1mm) the same size that would fit in ours. They may be the same for older trucks, but I dont think so. They may also be the same for 94-97s as well, but again, I dont know.

If you cant find them in a junkyard, then you could just get new ones from a dealer to save the fab time, at least thats what Im going to do (I hate forging).

Dec 17, 2004 | 02:03 AM

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From: British Columbia

Thanks for the info. that will be great if they work. Your building a kit too. Insteasd of running plates off the frame and reling on bolts to hold the weight I' m going to have a pice of square tubing sit right against the frame to hold the wieght. what size tires are ya gonna run. I'm hopimg to get 37's or 38' on with no body mods

Dec 17, 2004 | 09:48 PM

RawPower

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From: Rep. of Texas

38.5x14.5 R16.5 Hawgs. I dont think that you can get 38's on without hitting the leaves. But I dont mind a little rubbing.

I plan on getting 4" of lift out of it, but itll probably end up at 3.5" If you want plans, look at fishmandotcom's gallery in the off-roading section.

Now I have a question for you. Do you think that you really need bushings on the end of the leaves that doesnt have the hangers? Its only going to rotate about 0.5-1 degree... The reason is, each bushing is just under 1/4 inch wide. The frame is 3" wide and so is the frame. Therefore, you need to bow the hangers out .5" total, .25" on each side. That takes forging, and I HATE FORGING.

I made a shackle for my front, but decided I didnt like it, so Im going to redo them. For them I welded 1/4" steel plate to the inside of the hangers to space the opening to 3.5" at the bottom (for the leaves and bushings) to 3" at the top (for the frame).

Do you follow?
Also, If I dont completely like the 4" enough, Im going to get a 4" lift kit (leaves) from rough country or something to make it 8", then there will be no rubbing.

Dec 22, 2004 | 02:05 AM

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From: British Columbia

Sorry it took so long to respond, Christmas n all. Anyways, ya I thing bushing are needed on the front of the spring. The bushing will give the spring a little bit of movement & play for when hitting bumps or offroading, never mind stop some wicked steel on steel noise. If you go with the design i'm using you dont have to worry about the width problem because on top of the square tubing were i mounts to the fram is a different mounting plate, understand. if you dont i'll e-mail you my drawings. next question for you though! do you thing that reverse shacle kit for the back leaves will cause me any headaches. I haul 2 snowmobiles around in winter, a 24' trailer or a 18' skiboat in the summer (weekends only)

Dec 22, 2004 | 11:11 PM

RawPower

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From: Rep. of Texas

No. Actuallly the reverse shackle is supposed to help a lot with ride. The reverse makes the leaves operate in the same direction (duh). They sell kits that offer 2 and 3" lifts for 93's and 94's.

I dont get your plans, but Im interested so I dont have to weld or forge any. Please send me your drawings through the private messages or email, roballan @ ewatson.us NO spaces or underscores.