lowering shackles
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: San Diego, CA
lowering shackles
im wanting to drop my truck a few inches and im wanting some feedback on how to do it. ive never messed with suspension that much, from what ive found searching the forums, shackles seem like a safe bet. any advice? ive seen JLP and DJM shackles, anyone use these, or have something better that they can suggest? thanks
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Paradise
Denny, I have an '03 too. I went with the JLP 3" adjustable and I think they are great. I went with the 3" setting and it lowered the rear with in a 1/4 " from the front stock height. Easy to install.
The only challenge you should have, if your experience is like mine. The rear will stiffen. In my opinion to the extent that your launch traction will suffer slightly. To alleviate this you have a couple options. The one I went with is to raise the sway bar arms on the frame rails. It is easy, you drill new wholes, I went with 2" above the stock setting on the rails. This will reduce the stif feeling considerably. My L hooks great and I actually noticed a difference.
Good Luck
Dan
The only challenge you should have, if your experience is like mine. The rear will stiffen. In my opinion to the extent that your launch traction will suffer slightly. To alleviate this you have a couple options. The one I went with is to raise the sway bar arms on the frame rails. It is easy, you drill new wholes, I went with 2" above the stock setting on the rails. This will reduce the stif feeling considerably. My L hooks great and I actually noticed a difference.
Good Luck
Dan
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From: San Diego, CA
dan, sorry to sound so green, but im pretty new at this. you went with the 3" setting and that dropeed the rear within 1/4" within stock? im confused on that. do you mean that it only dropped the rear end down 1/4"? im looking to make the rear end about even with the front end. thanks for your help.
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From: San Diego, CA
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From: Paradise
Sorry guys for taking soooooo long to respond. I have just moved and I don't have email at home yet. I only have the office to rely on.
O.K. first there is a picture on another post from promodlightning the one titled Miami Max dyno #'s. If you scroll down you will notice a picture of five L's four black and one red. The first one in the row is mine, until I get a photo and my computer set up this is going to be the best I can do for now to show you the height.
Thanks for clearing up my description FuB.
Tim over a REM suggested I raise the two arms that hold the rear sway bar. They are obviously connected to the frame rails. I can't explain the theory, all I know is by raising the arms you relieve the pressure that has been created by the drop (or some of the pressure) and allow for more flexibility on the rear suspension, something like that. Any ways,
You remove the rear wheels and there they are in plain sight. I was told to be very carefull with drilling the frame rails and I started out with one size smaller than a 1/2" drill bit (carbon tipped) (just by the best you can they're about $9 bucks at home depot) and use drilling oil to save that bit.
I decided to raise the arms two inches, even though it was suggested I raise the arms the same length that I lowered the truck, 3". I just wanted to keep some of that stiffness (didn't know if it would work or not, in actual application). The result - you can now feel a difference with more give in the rear. It is still a hard ride mind you, but I am glad I followed Tim's advice - and plus working on our L's is part of the fun, too. Even with my new found power, 496 hp and 562 torque I find that she will hook up better or it is easier to get her to hook.
I hope that helps.
Dan
O.K. first there is a picture on another post from promodlightning the one titled Miami Max dyno #'s. If you scroll down you will notice a picture of five L's four black and one red. The first one in the row is mine, until I get a photo and my computer set up this is going to be the best I can do for now to show you the height.
Thanks for clearing up my description FuB.
Tim over a REM suggested I raise the two arms that hold the rear sway bar. They are obviously connected to the frame rails. I can't explain the theory, all I know is by raising the arms you relieve the pressure that has been created by the drop (or some of the pressure) and allow for more flexibility on the rear suspension, something like that. Any ways,
You remove the rear wheels and there they are in plain sight. I was told to be very carefull with drilling the frame rails and I started out with one size smaller than a 1/2" drill bit (carbon tipped) (just by the best you can they're about $9 bucks at home depot) and use drilling oil to save that bit.
I decided to raise the arms two inches, even though it was suggested I raise the arms the same length that I lowered the truck, 3". I just wanted to keep some of that stiffness (didn't know if it would work or not, in actual application). The result - you can now feel a difference with more give in the rear. It is still a hard ride mind you, but I am glad I followed Tim's advice - and plus working on our L's is part of the fun, too. Even with my new found power, 496 hp and 562 torque I find that she will hook up better or it is easier to get her to hook.
I hope that helps.
Dan
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Clifton Forge, VA
I just intsalled Bell Tech 2" drop shackles on my 02' L on Friday. The back is right at even with the front now. A little of a pain in the a$$ to put in, but well worth it. Only took about 45 minutes to install.
