Hello All.

As I review the procedure to install the 2" drop shackles on my truck this weekend, it appears that this mod is fairly simple and straightforward; however, I do have a couple of questions for those who have some experience with this...

1. When working on the shims, is it better to undo the u-bolts, drop each side of the rearend, and then put it back together, separately, or should I do both sides at the same time? (I'm a little worried that by undoing both sides at once I could get the axle out of line somehow and then have a hell of a time lining it all back up by myself).

2. Same question concerning the shackle installation...do I do each side completley before moving to the other, or do I do them both at the same time?

3. How do I ensure the shims are positioned properly? They each have a complete round hole and a u-shaped cut-out that the leaf spring centering pin can fit through. Which part of the shim does the pin go through?

4. Any other tips or advice for me?

Many thanks in advance to all who have been through this and can offer some advice! I always find that my truck projects go much smoother and are much more rewarding when I start out well prepared!!

 

This guy, Patman03SprCrw, is somewhat of our resident expert on drop kits. Patrick has done a lot of installations from the simple 2" kit to radical lowering. Hit him up if you don't get your answer, he's always willing to help.

 

When I took out my rear blocks, I did one side at a time. Make sure you park on level ground, block the front wheels and leave the truck in neutral that way you can rock the tire back and forth to get the pins to line up. The 04-up trucks have two pins on each leaf spring so the u-shaped slot in the shim probably goes around the front pin while the hole is for the rear pin to drop into. When I put on my drop shackles, I also did one side at a time. Make sure you use jacks and stands that are high enough to unload the spring so you can pull the bolts out easily.

 

So, since I had the day off for the MLK holiday, I installed the shackles and shims yesterday. Wow, what a difference! The whole job took me an hour and 45 mins. First I put the shims in - one side at a time - then I did the shackles - one side at a time.

This was a very easy job using my 3 ton floor jack, a set of jack stands, and a few sockets and wrenches. No issues at all.

Taking off the 2" of height at the rear does make a nice visual difference, but I found that the real benefit here is in the way the handling is improved. My truck almost corners as good as my Vette now! (OK, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but it does corner a lot better ).

Anyway, for those of you who don't need the stock height for off-roading or carrying loads, this mod is the best $100 you'll ever drop into your truck!

Thanks to all who passed on tips and advice!

 

I'm wondering where you get the kit you are talking about. I recently bought a 2004 FX4 that has a 2.5 spacer on the front and the guy told me an add a leaf in the rear springs. It currently has 305/65/18 BFG All Terrain TA's on it. It sits about 1.75 inches higher in the back. Is it possible to remove that block between the rear axle and the springs to bring the back end down to level? I'm not liking the oversized tires, so I'm thinking I'm going to order up a set of Goodyear Silent Armors in 275/65/18 or in 265/70/18 and I'm worried that the tires will look too small in the rear. So to sum it up, can I just remove the blocks, or do I need some the shim and shackles that you talk about? If I need them, where can I buy them?

Thanks in advance.

 

^^if you dont like the height its at, get the 275/65/18s and remove the front 2.5 spacer and rear AAL's

 

regg1: I got the Ground Force 2" Lowering Shackle kit from Amazon.com. (The Ground Force kit includes the rearend shims that many other shackle kits do not provide).

I can't give you much advice as you have the FX4. I'm pretty sure that the suspension on your truck is different from mine right out of the factory.

 

I'd get rid of the add-a-leaf and see how you like it. I ended up lowering my rear with Tough Country's shackle at the 1" drop position and my front is lifted about 1.5". This stance works well with the stock tire diameter.