What are the Cons to getting drop shackles?

Does it lower your towing limits?
Does it lower your hauling limits?
Cause any vibration?

I ask because I have come to the conclusion that if I lower the rear, and go with a little smaller profile tire, I will still have enough ground clearance to go anywhere I NEED to go. Plus, the shackles are only about $50.

Thanks
Keith

 

No it just makes the rear sag when you tow our have a full load

 

1. No.

2. Not really, just makes the truck sit unevenly with a load.

3. Maybe. I had a low speed driveline vibration in my truck after the 2" DJM shackles, felt like driving over rumble strips from 20-30 mph. I've since raised it up to the 1-1/2" hole and my vibration is gone. Some are more picky than others, won't really know until you try.

 

Exactly what he said. Get the shackles the pros FAR out weigh the cons!

 

Hey Ram:

How much of a rear drop did you do, and did you drop the front at all?

Thanks!

ddellwo

 

i used the groundforce shackles, they were 90, but came with shims, no vibrations whatsoever, and no complaints

 

If I don't get shims for my DJMs, I'm thinking about getting the Ground Force shackles. Just 'cause the truck looked perfect on the stock wheels and tires with the 2" drop. I've still got a slight rake at 1-1/2". The rumble strip vibration was annoying though.

I just read in Autoweek that H&R is making rear shackles for the '04+ F150 now too, they had a side by side picture of one before and after, still has a slight rake in the after picture though. Shackles are cheap enough, I might give those a try too.

 

the rake is a tough thing, if i put the truck in park after a hard brake (not a "feathered" stop) it sits with a rake. if i stop slowly and let the tranny unbind before i put it into park, it sets back down and looks level. on the road it looks level. oh well, either way its better than the crazy stock rake

you may be able to get shims from groundforce, i dont think universal ones will work because there are 2 centering pins in our leaf pack. im sure if you shim it would take care of the vibration

 

Where did you purchase your Groundforce shackles? I "googled" them, but couldn't seem to come up with a decent link (?).

Also, it looks like they sell just the shackles, and a kit that contains shackles and hangers -- any idea what the differance and/or advantages of one over the other would be?

Thanks!

 

i bought mine through the dealer, the shackle kit was about $90, came with 2 shackles, all the bushings, grease, and most importantly the shims.

you can probably also find them on stylinconcepts.com or truckperformance.com

 

Found 'em at Truck Performance -- thanks!

 

I went with the 1 1/2in drop and the front is stock.

 

Thanks -- looks good!

 

Just installed McGaughys 2 inch drop shackles and looks awesome, was just wondering was I supposed to get shims also, I think I heard you only need them if your truck starts vibrating cuz of the axle angle change. Im not sure though, Any help would be appreciated.

 

you should have the shims right from the start to avoid any driveline prolems. waiting for a vibe to happen before you get shims, is like running your engine without oil until it rattles too bad, then adding oil. shims is the RIGHT way to do it