Shackle flip???
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Shackle flip???
I have a 74 f-100 4X4 and was wanting to lift it a little, but nothing to drastic...
About how much would I get by doing a shackle flip in the rear???
Are there any dissadvantages to doing this to lifting blocks??
Will this lower the amount of weight I can safely pull??? An curious cuas the trucks GVW is 5600 which looks to be the highest for a f-100, and I knd of like being able to pull some weight...
I havent searched shackle flips mutch yet, am still kinda tossing the idea around... So any info if much appretiated!!!
thanks
J
About how much would I get by doing a shackle flip in the rear???
Are there any dissadvantages to doing this to lifting blocks??
Will this lower the amount of weight I can safely pull??? An curious cuas the trucks GVW is 5600 which looks to be the highest for a f-100, and I knd of like being able to pull some weight...
I havent searched shackle flips mutch yet, am still kinda tossing the idea around... So any info if much appretiated!!!
thanks
J
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
From: Hattiesburg, MS
Yes and no. As long as you get the shackle angle correct, the springs will still support the same amount of weight. But there are just so many variables that it's nearly impossible to so for sure if there will be any disadvantages. Even though your GVW may be high for an F-100, it's still rather light. So, it should still be able to handle the rated capacities.
For some reason, the springs on newer F-150's tolerate lift blocks very well. I have 5.5 inch blocks in the back of my 2005 4x4. It has 4.56 gears with 35's and I tow with an average GCW of 15,000 pounds. You would never know the blocks are there. I have no problems with wheel hop or axle wrap. But, the 70's era trucks do NOT like blocks for some reason. Even the factory blocks can cause serious problems.
So....I vote shackle flip vs. taller block.
For some reason, the springs on newer F-150's tolerate lift blocks very well. I have 5.5 inch blocks in the back of my 2005 4x4. It has 4.56 gears with 35's and I tow with an average GCW of 15,000 pounds. You would never know the blocks are there. I have no problems with wheel hop or axle wrap. But, the 70's era trucks do NOT like blocks for some reason. Even the factory blocks can cause serious problems.
So....I vote shackle flip vs. taller block.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Yah its still just a light half ton truck, hence F-100!!! I just kinda like that it came with the highest GVW for the F-100's..
What kind of weight can my 9" rear end with 4.11 gears hold up to??? Cuas I have been wanting to do an add a leaf or two, or overload springs since I got the truck...
So I have been doing a little more reading on this subject and it looks like I will get 2-4" of lift. right.. Is that with or without the stock blocks???
Is there like say a math formula to help figure out where Ill have to move the shackles to pull this off properly??
What kind of weight can my 9" rear end with 4.11 gears hold up to??? Cuas I have been wanting to do an add a leaf or two, or overload springs since I got the truck...
So I have been doing a little more reading on this subject and it looks like I will get 2-4" of lift. right.. Is that with or without the stock blocks???
Is there like say a math formula to help figure out where Ill have to move the shackles to pull this off properly??
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
From: Hattiesburg, MS
Well, the 9" is rated for a maximum of about 3850 pounds. The 8.8 is rated the same. And the 9.75 is rated for 4500 pounds.
The rated lift amount is including the factory blocks.
Ha, there is no real "formula" to figure out where exactly to mount the hanger. There are way to many variables. Spring arch, length and shackle length all affect angle. Adding extra leafs will decrease shackle angle. Sagging stock springs and/or extra weight in the bed will increase angle. Longer shackles can help a bad angle. Shorter angles will make a bad angle even worse.
So....my advice is to put in your add-a-leaf first. Decide what shackle length you wanna use. THEN mount the hanger.
I'm not sure which hanger you have been looking at. But I think the one from Rough Stuff is MUCH nicer than the one from SKY.
The rated lift amount is including the factory blocks.
Ha, there is no real "formula" to figure out where exactly to mount the hanger. There are way to many variables. Spring arch, length and shackle length all affect angle. Adding extra leafs will decrease shackle angle. Sagging stock springs and/or extra weight in the bed will increase angle. Longer shackles can help a bad angle. Shorter angles will make a bad angle even worse.
So....my advice is to put in your add-a-leaf first. Decide what shackle length you wanna use. THEN mount the hanger.
I'm not sure which hanger you have been looking at. But I think the one from Rough Stuff is MUCH nicer than the one from SKY.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 11
From: West Virginia
Yeah thats my plan as well. How much lift a shackle flip nets you is entirely dependent on where you mount the flip brackets. I've already got my front springs, so I'm waiting on my rear springs. Once I get them I'll figure out where the brackets need to be mounted and drill/weld.
One word of caution, though, is that you should keep your pinion angle in mind. If you try to get too much out of the shackle flip you can end up rotating the diff in the wrong direction.
One word of caution, though, is that you should keep your pinion angle in mind. If you try to get too much out of the shackle flip you can end up rotating the diff in the wrong direction.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 11
From: West Virginia
shackle length and location of the flip bracket. Plus it will depend on how much your old springs were sagging to start with.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
How would I tell if my springs are sagging??? Whats the best way to freshen them up? or Can I replace them with new ones... Well What are the odds of me even finding leaf springs the same a mine??? There is like 8 or 9 leafs under each side!!!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 11
From: West Virginia
they sell new ones pretty much in all the catalogs that sell resto parts. If youre are sagging, a lot of people get by with sticking an add a leaf in there. If youre doing the shackle flip, you can compensate for your spring sag anyway.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Well I am kinda working toward a body off restoration, So when I do somthing small, or big I want it to be right and perfect... as strong or stronger than when it rolled off the line!
Truck dont look like its sagging but I have never really put much in the bed... But it dose ride stiff as hell with bolth tanks full, spair, and with mine and and mom's luggage.. Not much weight, but with the stock tires it would litterly skitter across bridges and big bumps doing 60 mph!!
What about having the leafs recurved?? I herd about this somewhere but dont know if it would be as strong as stock!!
Truck dont look like its sagging but I have never really put much in the bed... But it dose ride stiff as hell with bolth tanks full, spair, and with mine and and mom's luggage.. Not much weight, but with the stock tires it would litterly skitter across bridges and big bumps doing 60 mph!!
What about having the leafs recurved?? I herd about this somewhere but dont know if it would be as strong as stock!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 11
From: West Virginia
skittering like you described sounds like you may need new shocks. Leaf sprung trucks will always have kind of a bouncy ride though.
Most trucks will actually ride softer when fully loaded. The fact that yours rides rough makes me wonder if your springs are worn out and your bottoming out when you load up. You can get a couple friends to stand in the bed and check and see how much clearance you have. to similar bumps, have them jump a little bit. If youre bouncing off the rubber bump stops, you might want new springs.
recurving leaf springs can be done, but new leaf springs aren't super expensive. recurved ones are supposedly weaker, and I have also heard that its not uncommon for a recurved spring to lose some of its curve over time.
Leaf spring design has matured a lot since our trucks were built, though. Newer spring packs like the super duty swap, the 54" chevy springs, or even replacement deaver packs will make a big difference in ride quality on our trucks. longer springs help minimize axle wrap, and a higher number of thinner leaves will give you a nicer ride.
Most trucks will actually ride softer when fully loaded. The fact that yours rides rough makes me wonder if your springs are worn out and your bottoming out when you load up. You can get a couple friends to stand in the bed and check and see how much clearance you have. to similar bumps, have them jump a little bit. If youre bouncing off the rubber bump stops, you might want new springs.
recurving leaf springs can be done, but new leaf springs aren't super expensive. recurved ones are supposedly weaker, and I have also heard that its not uncommon for a recurved spring to lose some of its curve over time.
Leaf spring design has matured a lot since our trucks were built, though. Newer spring packs like the super duty swap, the 54" chevy springs, or even replacement deaver packs will make a big difference in ride quality on our trucks. longer springs help minimize axle wrap, and a higher number of thinner leaves will give you a nicer ride.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Naw shocks are new... well almost 3 years old now. It dont skitter across the road when I hit a bad bridge or bump since I put the 31X10.50" tires on it.
The ride has never been bouncy, just stiff... Feel everything I run over, just as rough as my car, Car has been lowered 2-3" and has really stiff race springs.
I can jump up and down in the back and bairly move the truck... But I only weigh about 180.. +/- 10 lbs
I can see how recurved springs would be weaker, that makes sence...
Well I guess I should ask before I get too far ahead of myself... How many leaf springs should be under the rear??? I count 8 on each side, Dose that sound right??? I havent ever seen that many leafs except on a really heavy duty truck!!
The ride has never been bouncy, just stiff... Feel everything I run over, just as rough as my car, Car has been lowered 2-3" and has really stiff race springs.
I can jump up and down in the back and bairly move the truck... But I only weigh about 180.. +/- 10 lbs
I can see how recurved springs would be weaker, that makes sence...
Well I guess I should ask before I get too far ahead of myself... How many leaf springs should be under the rear??? I count 8 on each side, Dose that sound right??? I havent ever seen that many leafs except on a really heavy duty truck!!