Lowering shackle

[KevinJ]

94 XLT standard cable 2WD
I would like to level my truck. The rear end is higher than the front and the 14" tires look like grocery cart wheels. So, I see 2" lowering shackles for sale. Are these just simply shorter shackles that replace the factory ones and drop the bed? I've tried to look up the length of standard shackles and lowering shackles but haven't had any luck. After I get it level, I would like to swap out the 14s for 16s. Looks like there is plenty of room in the wheel wells front and rear.
Or would it be better/easier to raise the front with spring spacers? I've got coil springs, not torsion bars.
Does either one of these approaches require changing shocks?
Thanks

 

[superj]

You have to see how the shackles gook to the rear spring. If the spring mounts to the top of the shackle, tou need longer shackles to lower it. If the spring hooks to the bottom of the shackle, you meed shorter shackles.

 

[superj]

I would geuss from this ad, the shorter shackles apply to what you want.

https://www.partsgeek.com/y93s62x-ford-ranger-suspension-lift-kit.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ff&utm_content=TTC&utm_campaign=PartsGeek+Google+Base&utm_term=For+1998-2011+Ford+Ranger+Suspension+Lift+Kit+Replacement+Y01-449+1999+2000+2001+2002+2003+2004+2005+2006+2007+2008+2009+2010&fp=pp&gbm=a&cid=18060922446&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-oqdBhDfARIsAO0TrGE0U6Wq0xpLPE3Xh65sRlP3sKlrwzVZcpiHeZI2f7h9GwqlqZltghMaAqoiEALw_wcB

 

[KevinJ]

You have to see how the shackles gook to the rear spring. If the spring mounts to the top of the shackle, tou need longer shackles to lower it. If the spring hooks to the bottom of the shackle, you meed shorter shackles.

Thanks. The spring hooks to the bottom of the shackle.

 

[superj]

So you just need the correct width and shorter amd you sre good to go

 

[Spleen]

The shorter shackles will give about 2” of drop in the rear and are nice if you live in the salt belt and they haven’t been replaced in a long time, however for the price of some new hardware you can flip the brackets that hold the shackles and achieve the same 2” drop in the back.

 

[JoshT]

I was about to pop in here and tell you that lowerin shackles don't exist for a Ranger and that what you are seeing is lowering shackle for a Chevy that actually lift a Ranger. Glad I took a moment to go search, while that may have been true in the past it doesn't appear to be any more.

Good to know that these exist now, it opens up more options for getting ride height dialed in. I wonder how that super short shackle affects ride quality

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I was about to pop in here and tell you that lowerin shackles don't exist for a Ranger and that what you are seeing is lowering shackle for a Chevy that actually lift a Ranger. Glad I took a moment to go search, while that may have been true in the past it doesn't appear to be any more.

Good to know that these exist now, it opens up more options for getting ride height dialed in. I wonder how that super short shackle affects ride quality

Link?

 

[JoshT]

Link?

I just searched google. I think that they might have actually been developed as chevy lift shackles that I saw mentioned somewhere not too long ago. They would look about the same and have a lowering effect on a Ranger. I even seem to recall thinking that at the time I saw them.

94 XLT standard cable 2WD
I would like to level my truck. The rear end is higher than the front and the 14" tires look like grocery cart wheels. So, I see 2" lowering shackles for sale. Are these just simply shorter shackles that replace the factory ones and drop the bed? I've tried to look up the length of standard shackles and lowering shackles but haven't had any luck. After I get it level, I would like to swap out the 14s for 16s. Looks like there is plenty of room in the wheel wells front and rear.
Or would it be better/easier to raise the front with spring spacers? I've got coil springs, not torsion bars.
Does either one of these approaches require changing shocks?
Thanks

Yes they are simply shorter shackles that replace the factory ones. Even if you could find the length of stock shackles it wouldn;t do you mnuch good for determining drop amount. Shackles don't sit vertical in the truck when under load, so the difference in length doesn't correlate directly to a difference in height and the distance between the axle and shackle affects it too. As much as I hate to say it the manufacturer statement is a general guideline, but you'll have to install them to see what you actually get.

As for wheel fitment, you can fit pretty much anything you want to under there. If you want a 20" wheel it's doable whether you lift or lower. The key is selecting the appropriate tire size top match the wheel to the truck.

Do you like the truck as it sits now, would you prefer it a little higher or a little lower?

Do you want a tire thats the same size or one that fills the wheel wells a little more? Keep in mind if the tire diamet er increases it also affects speedometer and odometer readings.

It sounds to me like you want the truck to sit more level and the tires to fill the wheel wells a little more with larger wheels. In that case I'd definitely recommend lowering the back instead of raising the front, raisinfg the front would require an even larger tire. Once you've got the leveling done, decide on a wheel size and talk to a tire shop about getting a wheel that fits the truck better. I gurantee that those guys will know how to get you that because many of them are gearheads that like modifying their own vehicles.