what is need to do for flipping the shackles?

[dniksch]

I have a 93 ranger and want to flip the rear leaf springs. Other than grinding the rivets out and replacing them with bolts.... what do I need to do? Does one shackle move over to the left side to the right? Also, will I need to replace the shackle bushing? Thanks for all the info, Dave

 

[kirk3000]

They can stay on the same side. It really doesnt matter, brackets and shackles are identical left to right
Its very simple. Cut rivets, flip, bolt back on.
Before

After

đ

 

[dniksch]

Thanks, I seen these pics before and to me ??? looked like the shackle in the two pics is reversed/ the direction it is facing?

 

[--weezl--]

step 1: use the search function, the answers to all of your questions have been answered several times

and no, it makes no difference... though there are some shackles that are kinda c channel shaped... play with it a little before you put it in place, that c channel is designed to be a recess for the spring, or the hangar, i forget which... but playing with it while you're installing, you'll figure it out... it's when the suspension is flexed

 

[dniksch]

and yea have used the lovely search feature

 

[Teddyzee]

That picture has the shackle reversed, but it is not necessary.

I did not remove the shackle from the spring, just twisted the whole darn thing upside down.

 

[Mullins81]

when you do that flip, do tou do it t o just the rear hangers and shackles or BOTH front and rear? Thinking about doing this to my Mazda B3000.... also, how much does it lower the truck? Thanks!!!

 

[dniksch]

Just the rear. Front ones are just a mount off the frame the leaf spring mounts to.

 

[Mullins81]

I did the flip last night, took about three hours, lowered about 2" just like everybody said....easy enough to do though, c heap too

 

[dniksch]

Mullins81, did you take off the bed and if you didn't what did you use to remove the rivets? I have read the tech article and don't have air tools.
Thanks

 

[Earl43P]

http://www.toolbarn.com/blackdecker-g950c.html

 

[JoshT]

That's not a bad price. I bought the same thing in Skill brand for about the same price, but it didn't come with the cord or extra disks. It's what I planned to use on mine but since I've got the Explorer axle now I'm not gonna flip the hanger. If anything I'll be going to a longer shackle now.

Mullins82, dniksch, just wanted to let you know that the front hanger can be flipped as well. I believe that it gives about another 1-2 inches of drop, but you would be better off flipping the axle if you want any more than the shackle flip gives.

 

[dniksch]

I have a grinder but not sure if it would get to the top rivets. Thanks for the info for the front hangers too. will have to start grinding. One last question what size bolts are needed to replace the rivets? Thanks again

 

[JoshT]

With the bed off it should get in there, with the bed on I don't know. As for the bolt size I can't recall the size, but I believe that there was a thread in the tech library with that info.

 

[dniksch]

how about a small torch to get out the rivets? would that be easier and faster