Shackle flip
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Lake Havasu, AZ
Shackle flip
Hello all, Have questions, I have been read about Ivan and some other doing the shackle flip. I have a stock 79 F 250 (except motor) with 33's on it. I dont have the good fortunes most of you do to go play in the mud because I live in the Arizona desert. I use my truck as a daily driver for work which has me off roading around 75% of the time. Now with that out of the way here are my questions.
1. Can you flip the shackle without any other lift kit?
2. If so How much lift will I get? (about)
3. Since I am in the desert and do mostly rough rocky hills and soft sand bottom areas. Is this a good idea.
My overall goal is a little more clearence for bigger tires and a smoother ride.
Open to all ideas.
Thanks Lee
1. Can you flip the shackle without any other lift kit?
2. If so How much lift will I get? (about)
3. Since I am in the desert and do mostly rough rocky hills and soft sand bottom areas. Is this a good idea.
My overall goal is a little more clearence for bigger tires and a smoother ride.
Open to all ideas.
Thanks Lee
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 306
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
1: Yes, however this will only be lifting the rear, you'll have to find some way to lift the front (dont use blocks!)
2: I got about 3 1/2 inches on mine, so im ditching the stock lift blocks that came on my truck (73 highboy)
3: It could possibly allow your rear axle to articulate a little better off-road. It should smooth out the ride a bit.
Flipping the shackle is not a good idea if you plan to tow alot or carry heavy loads in the bed since these shackles wont support the lateral forces. You could try welding in a small flat plate on the open side of the shackle for extra strength however.
You will need longer shocks (The shocks you use will determine how smooth the ride will be. Gabriel LT's are nice for an empty bed). Make sure your brakeline and brake cables have plenty of slack. Because the leaf springs pivot on the front hanger, the axle may have been moved forward about 1/2 an inch, so watch tire-to-fender clearance. Also, make sure you get the right angles! I had to move mine exactly 4 inches forward to get a 90 degree angle on the shackle with no load on the springs, but I have the skyjacker 4 inch lift springs too.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal.../77973.520.390
2: I got about 3 1/2 inches on mine, so im ditching the stock lift blocks that came on my truck (73 highboy)
3: It could possibly allow your rear axle to articulate a little better off-road. It should smooth out the ride a bit.
Flipping the shackle is not a good idea if you plan to tow alot or carry heavy loads in the bed since these shackles wont support the lateral forces. You could try welding in a small flat plate on the open side of the shackle for extra strength however.
You will need longer shocks (The shocks you use will determine how smooth the ride will be. Gabriel LT's are nice for an empty bed). Make sure your brakeline and brake cables have plenty of slack. Because the leaf springs pivot on the front hanger, the axle may have been moved forward about 1/2 an inch, so watch tire-to-fender clearance. Also, make sure you get the right angles! I had to move mine exactly 4 inches forward to get a 90 degree angle on the shackle with no load on the springs, but I have the skyjacker 4 inch lift springs too.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal.../77973.520.390
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Senior User
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From: Lake Havasu, AZ
I carry about 800-1000 lbs, never weighed it but a full truck bed all surveying gear in my truck at all times, And on out of town jobs I tow a trailer with two quads 750 lbs each plus the trailer.
Now know that is this a good idea? Or what is the best way to get more clearence.
Thanks Lee
Now know that is this a good idea? Or what is the best way to get more clearence.
Thanks Lee
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
90 degrees is the last thing you want your shackle angle at. Worsens the ride a great deal. Should be closer to 45. I wouldn't do a shackle flip in a truck that carries 1000#. You COULD, but you'd better build it beefy.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
if i were you and you weren't looking for anything more than bigger tires and being so dry out there i would seriously consider trimming the fenders. even get fender flares that would look gooooood!
-cutts-
-cutts-
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From: In the Middle
Could you use a rear spring front hanger for a shackle flip? As long as the frame rail doesn't widen/narrow toward the rear it should work. This pic is of a Chevy, but it's the same concept.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...2_113_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...2_113_full.jpg
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Lead Driver
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You could use any hanger as long as it has the same spacing from the frame to the inside edge of the hanger.
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From: GA
Originally Posted by proeliator
90 degrees is the last thing you want your shackle angle at. Worsens the ride a great deal. Should be closer to 45.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
Hmmm, I only found the same picture he linked; which the shackle straight up and down at 90 degrees. But I'll take your word for it 
Must be pretty soft springs for the bed to take them down that much...makes for a nice cushy ride.
Must be pretty soft springs for the bed to take them down that much...makes for a nice cushy ride.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 306
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Oh, yeah the picture with the shackles at 90 deg is when there was no weight on it, no axle even.
The leaf springs are the Skyjacker 4" lift softrides. They also have 6 leafs compared to the stock 9 leafs. Its gonna ride like a cadillac
The leaf springs are the Skyjacker 4" lift softrides. They also have 6 leafs compared to the stock 9 leafs. Its gonna ride like a cadillac