shackles

[--weezl--]

i searched and browsed the tech library, but couldn't find an answer to my simple question... i need to lift the back end of my truck just a wee bit more... my back tires, when flexed out, ripped half of one of my flares off i figure a shackle lift is the easiest and cheapest way to take care of this problem... SO, is it the belltech 6400 shackles that are what i'm looking for? also, these come with bushings already installed right?

 

[railman]

or you could go to Autozone or O'Reilly's and get the cheap Chevy drop shackles for $30.....what i did....

l8r, John

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Bushings are installed on the two pairs I have bought, A belltech 6400 and a generic stock.

Richard

 

[--weezl--]

are the shackles all interchangeable? like bushing width wise?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I was told at a spring shop that the shackle bushing for a 2.5" wide spring will actually measure 3" wide. The belltech chevy/ford 2" drop/lift shackle will give you about 1 1/4" lift by my measuring. Approximately 1/2 advertised because I measure at the spring, not the shackle. I held my old shackle up to the belltech 6400 chevy 2" drop and the bell was about 2 1/2" longer [center to center on bolt holes].

Richard

 

[--weezl--]

I was told at a spring shop that the shackle bushing for a 2.5" wide spring will actually measure 3" wide. The belltech chevy/ford 2" drop/lift shackle will give you about 1 1/4" lift by my measuring. Approximately 1/2 advertised because I measure at the spring, not the shackle. I held my old shackle up to the belltech 6400 chevy 2" drop and the bell was about 2 1/2" longer [center to center on bolt holes].

Richard

you lost me on most of that... lol, you also realize that the difference in length between the two shackles is NOT the same as how much your truck is going to be lifted, right? the number you get, (if ford shackle is 2" and chevy is 3 1/2", your difference is 1 1/2") 1 1/2 is not how much your truck is going to be lifted, it's all due to angles and triangulation, it's going to be closer to half that... so 3/4" or based on what you said, it would be closer to 5/8ths taller

the spring shop you talked to, did they say the bushing width on the chevy and the ford are the same?

*edit* i re-read what you said, i mis interpreted you, i thought you were measuring from the end of the spring, when you SHOULD measure at where the axle bolts to the spring

what's the actual measurements on your stock shackle, bushing width, spring end width, and length, if you don't mind please that way i can go in and grab a chevy drop shackle at the parts store and see if they will work better than the belltech (cost wise)

also, does anyone know if these shackles have changed on the ranger between when always floored's truck was built and mine was?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I was told at a spring shop that the shackle bushing for a 2.5" wide spring will actually measure 3" wide. The belltech chevy/ford 2" drop/lift shackle will give you about 1 1/4" lift by my measuring. Approximately 1/2 advertised because I measure at the spring, not the shackle. I held my old shackle up to the belltech 6400 chevy 2" drop and the bell was about 2 1/2" longer [center to center on bolt holes].

Richard

I just reread the first sentence I wrote and it should read;
"I was told at a spring shop that the shackle end that fits over the spring bushing for a 2 1/2" wide spring will actually measure 3" wide." Sorry for any misunderstanding I've caused.
I'll try to remember to get you some measurements next time I'm out to the shop. I installed a 64" chevy c-2500 [~1985] main leaf in my race truck. The chevy leaf and the ford leaf are the same width @ 2.5". IIRC The shackle bushing width is also 2.5". I'll have to check lengths.

The stock chevy c-2500 shackle was the same length as the stock ford, but thicker gauge steel. Probably because it's from a 3/4 ton.


Richard

 

[--weezl--]

ahhh, ok got ya! thanks for the explanation