Beltech Shackles not Fitting Correctly????
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Beltech Shackles not Fitting Correctly????
Just had some Beltech Shackles installed and they are great exept for one thing. When the truck was lowered off the lift after installation, the top of the shackle seems to be touching a small lip of metal coming off the bottom of the bed. Driving is great with them but on 2 occasions when the rear wheels go over something unevenly, I hear a really loud "bang" coming from the rear bed. I am pretty sure it is where the shackle is contacting the bottom of the bed. Should I gring down that little lip coming from the bed and then spray the exposed metal with some rustoleum??? Anyone else with this problem???
I now have Bilstein shocks, Beltech shackles, and Beltech sway bar installed. The handling is night and day!!! The only problem with lowering the back is it makes the wheels look WAY TOO SMALL. Also the improved handling is too much for the tires to handle. Those stock tires on the Lariat are not very good at all! Perhaps some Toyos, Kumhos, or Falkens are in my near future or some bigger wheels with lower profile tires. Of all the upgrades, I believe the sway bar made the biggest difference!
I now have Bilstein shocks, Beltech shackles, and Beltech sway bar installed. The handling is night and day!!! The only problem with lowering the back is it makes the wheels look WAY TOO SMALL. Also the improved handling is too much for the tires to handle. Those stock tires on the Lariat are not very good at all! Perhaps some Toyos, Kumhos, or Falkens are in my near future or some bigger wheels with lower profile tires. Of all the upgrades, I believe the sway bar made the biggest difference!
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Hurricane Alley
You should have no contact between the body and the shackles. Whomever installed them should have corrected this upon installation. I have seen people install them upside down so you should check to see if this is the case. If not, then I would grind the shackle before grinding on the body.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 198
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From: Dallas
Did you just install the shackles in the rear and nothing up front?? That is exacly what I wanted to do! I agree with the wheels, but 20"s ill fixerup nice. If you have any pics I would greatly appreciate seeing them.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 138
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From: Prince George,BC
You did not install upside down.They go on one way only.I had the same problems with the belltech shackles.Once again for anybody thinking of this product do a search in this forum and see my previos posts on the subject.They do "NOT" fit properly.I took them off and got a refund.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Dallas
They are the only company that I have seen that even makes shackles for our rears that we can purchase alone. Anyone else mabye know?
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Senior User
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From: Prince George,BC
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Alabama/Florida
Anyone wanting drop shackles for the 04-05 F150 this is where I got mine from. They fit with zero fitment issues and are only $45. You have to click on "truck pages" on the lefthand scroll menu and then on the next screen look near the bottom in a cluster of about 6 links for "shackles". If you take the time to find them they work great. The box was marked F250 though because the width of the two is the same. Regaurdless they fit perfectly and look heavier than the oem styled ones.
http://www.performancesuspension.com/
http://www.performancesuspension.com/