I'm planning to order a set of shackle flip brackets from Sky-Mfg today... thought I should solicite feedback here first. I actually heard about this option from users here, so it's probably a sound modification.

My question is... has anyone had problems resulting from this mod?

Thanks

 

Some have stated that the shackle flip results in a loss of payload capacity. WHile a tension style shackle is probably a stronger design than a compression style, most shackle failures are a result a weak shackle and not the design, or style in which it was used.
There is a pic around here of a folded shackle that was said to have failed as a result of a shackle flip, but again I believe this is the exception and not the rule.
I have been running flipped shackles in most of my rigs, and have not had a single problem as a result of this.
Here is my shackle flip after a ton of miles, and no sign of any problem:
Image of rear shackle flip with 64" sping - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
As you can see here,
Image of bringing home the donor - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting it is not uncommon for me to tow several thousand pounds, even with this shackle configuration. I see, and maintain highway speeds here in So. Ca with this configuration, yes over the limit of 55, and even with this shackle configuration, the truck is solid, and the shackles hever never shown any signs of failure.
This truck has been stuck in the mud deep enough to completely bury the tires, and recovery has required a pull slightly from the side, which I though for sure would have killed the shackles, but,,,,,nothing. Thigs have held up fine.
These shackles are plenty easy to fabricate out of heavy stock steel, but I have not seen a requirement for this.
Later model shackles can be an option as these are heavier than the stock 30 year old units. (depending on spring width)

 

Your shackle flip install looks good. Did you use the original frame holes... was the leaf spring factory length?

My biggest concern, is at what angle the shackle will sit if I use the factory frame holes. Also trying to understand the effects of using a 4" skyjacker lift spring with the flip (shackle angle).

I don't have a good spring shop locally, to work with on a custom length pack if one is needed to provide the proper shackle angle.

Thanks for the info!

 

Thats a very good question. I did not use the factory frame holes. I did not because I used a 64 inch leaf spring from a donor chebby siverado.
This required me to move the front hanger foward, and the rear one towards the back. Only the outer most bolt holes were used. This would make sure that everything stayed square, and the axle was straight.
When I removed the front hanger, I replaced it with a longer chebby hanger (this would make the spring eye lower and obtaining additional lift) Now, after I removed the front hanger and replaced it, I installed the original front hanger in the back, and hung the shackle from it. This provided a considerable amount of lift, and after a couple attempts, and a few adjustments, I obtained a great shackle angle, and superb axle articulation.
Rear articulation now is limited by the shock length. I can only fit a 10 inch travel shock back there, and it uses every bit of that. With the shock removed, I could get over 14 inches of travel, or maybe a little more.
I would have to penetrate the bed floor to accomodate such a long shock, and I am not willing to do this yet, but, you get the idea.
I used all factory parts for mine, and probably have less than 100 bucks in the whole thing, including springs, and these are very flat stock 2wd 64" 1/2 ton rated springs.
A bit too soft, but flex like mad off road.

 

Definitely a cool mod... like many of the others you have shown on P-bucket.

I have to many other projects right now, and can't justify investing the time in a major conversion on the rear, so I'll probably just buy the fabricated brackets and go from there. Worse case... I'll just have to relocte the bracket to get the correct shackle angle (MAG drill helps with that).

Thanks again for the info and pics.

 

I can maby haul a ton before mine are going flat. So in my case it did reduce the amount of weight I can haul. Also I droped my front hangers, I didn't like the looks of the axle moved forward.

 

Thanks again for the kind words. Different projects are always fun, and that reminds me, I have a big off road event this weekend, and I have two trucks to load and prepare.
Good luck with your ride, and you will have to relocate the rear hanger to obtain the proper shackle angle.
It is amazing how much affect that angle has on the ride.

 

Ed i never get tired of seein that truck. Oh yeah i started a build thread in the offroad forum

 

Bit how much do you move the rear new hanger forward to get right angle ,using F250 front hanger.Do u move 1" or 2".Pls doing this mod tomorrow .

 

That would be hard to say. It would depend on the springs you have. When I did mine I just tack welded them on and set it back down to see. It doesn't take much of a weld to hold them for checking.