Rear lowering shackles?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Dedham, MA
Rear lowering shackles?
I know a lot of you have raised the front to meet the rear ride height but I'd like to lower the rear to meet the front. What brand shackles have been used so far and with what results?
I know H&R makes one for about $110, with 1.5" lowering. I've seen Belltech for the '03 but not for our generation. Also seen no-name shackles with variable 2-4" drop. What's the consensus out there, and what does it do to our warranties?
I'm tired of waiting to pass something by 1/4 mile before i can see it behind the truck
Thanks
I know H&R makes one for about $110, with 1.5" lowering. I've seen Belltech for the '03 but not for our generation. Also seen no-name shackles with variable 2-4" drop. What's the consensus out there, and what does it do to our warranties?
I'm tired of waiting to pass something by 1/4 mile before i can see it behind the truck
Thanks
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I did the Ground Force 2" lowering shackles. After putting on the shackles I had a low speed driveline vibration, installed the shims and it fixed the vibe. The truck rides better and it is easier to get in and out of the tailgate.
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Originally Posted by WhiteNight
The shims were for axle angle?
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These trucks seem to be particularly sensitive to pinion angle changes. That's why I went with the Ground Force kit, it comes with the shims. Anything much more than 2 inches drop on the shackles will have clearance problems with the floor or seams of the bed. If you want to have another go at the shackles, the Ground Force kit should work out well for you. I love them on my truck.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Dedham, MA
Thanks for the info guys. I've heard of guys on these boards having to trim the underside of the bed to make shackles fit, but it may have been a more drastic drop than 2". And i guess the slightly altered position of the axle is more than enough to produce a driveline vibration. and that's definitely not worth an even stance, I'd rather have a higher rear than vibration. Glad to know the shims work.
On a different note, how long did it take to install the shackles and what should i look out for, such as problem areas, do i need to jack the truck, etc? I'm going to go hunting for ground force shackles now, see what i find. Will probably install them after my 3K/initial service visit.
On a different note, how long did it take to install the shackles and what should i look out for, such as problem areas, do i need to jack the truck, etc? I'm going to go hunting for ground force shackles now, see what i find. Will probably install them after my 3K/initial service visit.
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ReForder,
You should be able to get them installed in a couple of hours or so. You will need a floor jack and a pair of jack stands, minimum. Also a torque wrench to set the U bolts back to 75 ft-lbs. Recheck the torque on the U-bolts after a hundred miles or so, they stretch slightly and will need to be re-torqued. The Ground Force kit instructions are pretty well written.
You should be able to get them installed in a couple of hours or so. You will need a floor jack and a pair of jack stands, minimum. Also a torque wrench to set the U bolts back to 75 ft-lbs. Recheck the torque on the U-bolts after a hundred miles or so, they stretch slightly and will need to be re-torqued. The Ground Force kit instructions are pretty well written.
Last edited by kd4crs; Sep 8, 2005 at 08:10 PM.
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I installed a shell on my truck which actually lowered the box down over an inch, but still not quite enough. The truck rides really well now. No more bed bounce, and no more wind resistance against the tailgate either.
I am thinking about the Ground Force kit now, although a couple of hundred pound sandbags at the rear of the box will probably bring it down where I want it.
I am thinking about the Ground Force kit now, although a couple of hundred pound sandbags at the rear of the box will probably bring it down where I want it.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Dedham, MA
insynco, my only concern with that would be the increased weight, altered handling as a result, and subtly reduced fuel economy. The reason I want the shackles is to provide a level stance without increasing GVW.
kd, thanks for the info. I'll probably wait until after my service next weekend and then get my bro to come help me with it. I have all the tools and Know-how, just like an extra hand to speed things up a bit. Where did you wind up getting yours from and how much did it set you back?
Tony
kd, thanks for the info. I'll probably wait until after my service next weekend and then get my bro to come help me with it. I have all the tools and Know-how, just like an extra hand to speed things up a bit. Where did you wind up getting yours from and how much did it set you back?
Tony
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