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front leveling kit shackles?

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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 09:24 AM
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front leveling kit shackles?

ive been wanting to lift the front end of my f350 to make it close to level with the back. i dont have the money to get a nice lift so i was looking on ebay and saw the drop shackles. i have all the materials needed to just make my own but was wondering if i could get some feed back from the people that have used them. and if you could tell me how long they are and how much lift you got out of them? thanks
 
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 09:34 AM
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What year is your truck? I have a 99 with V10 and it's nose heavy also. They look rather easy to install but I haven't purchased mine yet. I would like to know also if they work and could I still use a plow after installing them?
 
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 10:14 AM
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I put the mini spring pack in front springs to level out the truck. They are much easier to install and come with everything you need.

If you haven't had the springs out yet (to do the hangers), the eye bolt at the front is actually put in to where you can't get it out without removing the radiator. Or you could take the chance and cut them with a torch, but it is very tight and you could end up damaging the bracket the bolt goes through. If you cut the bolt inside that bracket you will mess up the bushing in the eye of the spring.

I opted for this until I put my 4" lift kit on, when I retire the truck from everyday work.

This is just my $.02 on what worked best for me.

Toyman
 
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 12:47 PM
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my truck is an 03 6.0. i got my stock shackles off now and trying to decide how long to make my new ones so i get just the right amount of lift. can anyone please let me know the measurement between the two holes on the shackles for the lift it would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Toyman
If you haven't had the springs out yet (to do the hangers), the eye bolt at the front is actually put in to where you can't get it out without removing the radiator.

Toyman
I swapped the complete leafs out on my 2000 F250 no problem, didn't have to remove the radiator either.
 
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 01:35 PM
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I've been waiting on measurements from a member on here, but he probably got wrapped up in the holidays and didn't have a chance to take them. I'll shoot you a PM with them, or just post them in here in case others are interested when I get them.
 
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 01:55 PM
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well im just gonna go ahead and give it a guess. the stock ones are 5 inches center to center and im gonna make mine 7 inches center on center and if they dont work ill either chop them down or make new ones. ill be sure to post it on here later tonight and let everyone know what i came up with. thanks guys
 
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 02:00 PM
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I'm definitly interested in knowing how they turn out.
 
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 10:16 PM
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well i got them all done. i made the shackle at 7 inches apart, adding 2 inches. it lifted the truck about an incha and a half. i just finished them right before i got an email back from a guy on ebay with them asking what his measured out to and his was 8 inches so i coulda gone another inch to match his but im satisfied with mine now. i plan and making drop hangers for the front of the leafs next.
 
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 12:06 AM
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So do they need to be 8 inches between the bolt holes, or total end to end length?
 
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 12:01 PM
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So if you were to do it over you'd go with 8 inches? Is the front end of your truck still a little low even after longer shackles?
 
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 05:42 PM
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ya i would say 8 inches, from center of hole to center of hole, is about the max i would go without dropping the front leaf hangers. im gonna look at how much of a pain the front leaf hangers would be to take off.

ya i would go with 8 inches. it still is a little low but looks pretty good now
 
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 06:01 PM
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How is the pinion angle after doing this? Is it angled visibly more toward the ground?
 
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 05:22 AM
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Originally Posted by enduro4231
How is the pinion angle after doing this? Is it angled visibly more toward the ground?
i would like to know the same thing as i have a 6 inch lift that i am trying to make an 8 inch just not sure if these shackles will work fine
 
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 07:08 AM
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could you post some pics of the shackles you made seth1.
 
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