lift question
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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lift question
Ok so I have a 6" lift on my 74 and it has stacked blocks, I'm a noob but I know this is bad. My question is what are my options here, I looked for shackle flip brackets and can not find any,(none for early ford) found springs but not sure if I can drop that kind of coin yet (bad times at work), would a single block be a wise decision? What would you do?I did a search and really can not find a useful thread for my topic if I did the search wrong please drop a link. Thanks in advance.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: NE Wisconsin
Stacked blocks, Im guessin it's the rears. Single block is better, but still alot of stress laterally and axle wrap might be an issue. A shackle flip would be good, but getting the shackle angle might be tricky and takes some fab skills(not trying to offend, I don't know you). New leaves would be the best.
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Junior User
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I am a welder/fabricator for 14 years and have access to alot cool tools, however I have never messed with suspensions and have no specs to go off of, I tried to find a print so I could build some but no dice. I see pics of them but need hard dimensions.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 620
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From: NE Wisconsin
Get measurements off your existing hanger. Width mainly. Look at Sky manufacturing for a good picture. Do a search in the offroad forum for shackle flip or shackle. You should find the correct angles.
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Junior User
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Does anyone know if the 78-79 Bronco flip brackets work on early model truck? I called one place and they said " We have never tried it".
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: NE Wisconsin
As long as the springs are the same width, they should work. The shackle angle is the critical part.
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Post Fiend
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Hit a wrecking yard and buy some new hangers. YOu can use stock hangers to perform your shackle flip. You can also use some hangers for a different truck. Some chebbies use a 2.5" rear spring, and these will work for your ride
I used a stock front hanger for the rear spring. Look at the fixed hanger that is located on the front of the rear spring and imagine that installed in the very rear with a shackle hanging down. This will fix you right up and these are cheap as can be. Taking them off is a bit of a hassle, but it is a nice upgrade.
Oh yeah, for your new shackle angle, you will have to locate the new hanger about an inch to an inch and a half further foward. This will give you a correct angle once the spring compresses a little.
I used a stock front hanger for the rear spring. Look at the fixed hanger that is located on the front of the rear spring and imagine that installed in the very rear with a shackle hanging down. This will fix you right up and these are cheap as can be. Taking them off is a bit of a hassle, but it is a nice upgrade.
Oh yeah, for your new shackle angle, you will have to locate the new hanger about an inch to an inch and a half further foward. This will give you a correct angle once the spring compresses a little.
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Junior User
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So what I am reading is I need to go get a front hanger from a donor truck and replace the rear hanger with the new hanger. Now where I am confused is do I NEED to replace the front hanger? The reason I ask is the flip kits only replace the rear, and after eye balling the angle it looks like I could keep the front on. Could you give up what donor truck you took the front hangers you used. Thanks 75F350 that was alot of help, fabbing is the easy part, understanding what works and does not is my issue.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
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You do not have to replace or do anything with the front hanger and this hanger was from a donor vehicle. You can expect about 4 inches of lift from this hanger.
Ok, well, in my case, I did replace the front hanger and the one you see is actually from the front of the rear spring. I replaced my front one with a longer one that would provide more lift. I also used 64 inch long springs. These provided an extra soft ride and a considerable amount of flex. I had to move the hangers further apart, to accomodate the longer spring, so this worked well for me.
Should you decide that you want to eliminate your 6 inches of blocks all together, then I would suggest that you too find a longer hanger for the front of the spring and use the one that you remove in the rear. Then you will have enough lift to use your existing springs with no blocks.
Adjust of fine tune the angle to suit your needs and you too will have a nice riding truck with far less axle wrap, and a considerabe upgrade in saftey.
Did that make some sense? Hope so.
Ok, well, in my case, I did replace the front hanger and the one you see is actually from the front of the rear spring. I replaced my front one with a longer one that would provide more lift. I also used 64 inch long springs. These provided an extra soft ride and a considerable amount of flex. I had to move the hangers further apart, to accomodate the longer spring, so this worked well for me.
Should you decide that you want to eliminate your 6 inches of blocks all together, then I would suggest that you too find a longer hanger for the front of the spring and use the one that you remove in the rear. Then you will have enough lift to use your existing springs with no blocks.
Adjust of fine tune the angle to suit your needs and you too will have a nice riding truck with far less axle wrap, and a considerabe upgrade in saftey.
Did that make some sense? Hope so.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
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Yup. Because you have weight on the truck already, your measurements are easy to accomplish. Longer hangers are available, and I have used later model F150 hangers that were purchased from my local dealership. They are longer and the narrow spring fits.
You should not be afraid of looking under different manufacturers trucks.
the other two manufacturers have some different length hangers and can provide you with the desired lift that you are after.
You should not be afraid of looking under different manufacturers trucks.
the other two manufacturers have some different length hangers and can provide you with the desired lift that you are after.