2" drop shackles and Towing ??

[White Chocolate]

I would like to drop the rear or my 08 Lariat its a 4 x2 and I'm wondering how it may affect my towing capabilities, and hauling stuff.

I do have a open bed trailer and a mustang that I haul to the track a few times a year....trailer and mustang come in at about 5000 Lbs.

[Arca_ex]

It shouldn't change anything, all it's doing is moving the suspension a little further up into the truck. So unless you were almost riding the bump stops before, you won't have a problem.

If you install them and it sags too much for your liking, or there's anything wrong with it, buy a rear air assist kit and it'll take care of it. I got mine for under $200, and now even lowered 5" in the back with a flip kit I can still tow anything I want and throw a ton of weight in the bed without having to worry about it.

[Stealth]

I never towed with just the lowering shackles and stock leafs, but your rear suspension will function the same as before the shackles while towing.

[White Chocolate]

Thanks guys I would really like to lower the truck even more....this towing issue or concern is whats stopping me for now....

If I can safely tow my race car with a 2/4.5" Drop Kit then I would really have to consider it.

Is there any issues with drive line angle causing the drive shaft to be misaligned / pinion angle, with any of these lowering mods ???

I'm thinking an Air ride suspension maybe an option for me as well.
If there is a kit that would allow me to tow and adjust suspension height with the touch of a button then that would be great.
I could keep the stock height while towing and in the winter months and then lower it in the summer months. I guess this sounds to good to be true and perhaps an Air ride suspension maybe costly and have problem in the winter months with frezzing line..ect..

Anyone have any thoughts ???

[Arca_ex]

Originally Posted by White Chocolate

Thanks guys I would really like to lower the truck even more....this towing issue or concern is whats stopping me for now....

If I can safely tow my race car with a 2/4.5" Drop Kit then I would really have to consider it.

Is there any issues with drive line angle causing the drive shaft to be misaligned / pinion angle, with any of these lowering mods ???

I'm thinking an Air ride suspension maybe an option for me as well.
If there is a kit that would allow me to tow and adjust suspension height with the touch of a button then that would be great.
I could keep the stock height while towing and in the winter months and then lower it in the summer months. I guess this sounds to good to be true and perhaps an Air ride suspension maybe costly and have problem in the winter months with frezzing line..ect..

Anyone have any thoughts ???

From what I understand, you're basically looking for the same setup I have then.


My kit was a 2/4.5 drop kit, yes there are issues with the driveshaft, but only with a two piece. Which I have, so I installed the new hangar kit, and I have a rear air assist with a 3 gallon air tank, and some gauges and switches inside.


With an air assist kit, you'll pretty much still be able to tow or haul anything you want. My kit is advertised at being able to add an additional 3000lbs of capacity if I recall correctly, and when just driving can change how the rear suspension acts tremendously. I can adjust the ride height from about 3.5" of drop to 5.5" of drop.





Here's a complete build log of my whole lowering project. Check it out:
Got My Drop Finished!

[08Ford FX2]

Hey guys I ordered the GroundForce shackle 2in kit + I ordered 305/50/20 tires to replace my 275/55/20.Can't wait till I get them & installed.

[bluejay432000]

Originally Posted by 08Ford FX2

Hey guys I ordered the GroundForce shackle 2in kit + I ordered 305/50/20 tires to replace my 275/55/20.Can't wait till I get them & installed.

That is exactly what I have.

[08Ford FX2]

Originally Posted by bluejay432000

That is exactly what I have.

Damn nice truck Bluejay

[bluejay432000]

Originally Posted by 08Ford FX2

Damn nice truck Bluejay

Thank you! I really enjoy it.

[Layinbuckfifty]

i have 2in lowering shack's on my 04 f-150 and i hauled my 98 f150 custom truck on a 18 dual axle trailer from dallas to austin with no problem at all my truck did sag a little but still drove and rode great

[08Ford FX2]

Originally Posted by bluejay432000

Thank you! I really enjoy it.

Hey when I install the GF 2in shackle kit sould I or do I need to remove the 1in rear blocks.

[bluejay432000]

Originally Posted by 08Ford FX2

Hey when I install the GF 2in shackle kit sould I or do I need to remove the 1in rear blocks.

What 1" blocks? Mine did not have any blocks.

[Arca_ex]

Originally Posted by bluejay432000

What 1" blocks? Mine did not have any blocks.

Yeah my truck didn't have 1" blocks either.

[NTXRockr]

Arca, you used a flip kit and shackles on the rear drop, right? If so, since it's still using the OEM leaf springs (unless you swapped them out) isn't it still rated for the same payload and towing capacities - only issue would be whether you hit the stops/tires or not?

I had been observing and reading up on everyone's drops and I think that I'll look into a 2/4.5 or 3/5 drop kit with the flip kits in the back and drop spindles in the front, since both would allow me to stay OEM on the coilover springs and leafsprings - and keeping my same ride characteristics and (theoretically) my standard payload capacity. I tow things about once or twice a month (light-medium weight trailers, boat) so it shouldn't be an issue with those trailers, but if I start hauling my '68 Firebird dragcar then I may have to look into the bag assist.

Did you ever get a spacer for the bags to replace the wooden blocks (which is something I would've used too LOL)? If so did you make them or where did you buy them?

[Arca_ex]

Originally Posted by NTXRockr

Arca, you used a flip kit and shackles on the rear drop, right? If so, since it's still using the OEM leaf springs (unless you swapped them out) isn't it still rated for the same payload and towing capacities - only issue would be whether you hit the stops/tires or not?

I had been observing and reading up on everyone's drops and I think that I'll look into a 2/4.5 or 3/5 drop kit with the flip kits in the back and drop spindles in the front, since both would allow me to stay OEM on the coilover springs and leafsprings - and keeping my same ride characteristics and (theoretically) my standard payload capacity. I tow things about once or twice a month (light-medium weight trailers, boat) so it shouldn't be an issue with those trailers, but if I start hauling my '68 Firebird dragcar then I may have to look into the bag assist.

Did you ever get a spacer for the bags to replace the wooden blocks (which is something I would've used too LOL)? If so did you make them or where did you buy them?

Technically, you'd still have the same capacity, but right now I have about 3" of travel in the rear end. If you're towing with a flip kit, a rear airbag assist is pretty much required, and it gives you back all your towing and hauling abilities.

And no I haven't gotten my spacers yet. The blocks are holding up just fine, they're screwed pretty securely into place anyways. I'm a little short on modding cash after ordering my tunes.