called a local place and he said $100 installed parts/labor for rear shackles and he said it would "even" out the look...

was wondering 2 things...

1. is that a good price ( i dont have a large floor jack)

2. is shackles the best route? im thinking it is what I want, i dont really want the real low rider look where if i hit a pebble i scrap my bumper.... so im sure this is what I want... but was wondering if I could see a pic or 2 of someone with the exact same thing done...

thanks again, u guys seem to always come through... AND FAST

 

Well, a set of DJM 2" Shackles delivered to your door will cost you
$48.85 from Stylin Concepts.. Now pretty much any garage can do the install as it is EASY and they will undoubtedly charge you between $40 and $50.00. So, $100 is within reason but be sure the shackles he uses are aok. Personally, I would take the $40-50 you would pay for the install and go down to say Sam's Club, Walmart or Autozone and get yourself an inexpensive floor jack and jack stands. Friggin Walmart has a floor jack with jack stands in one box for about $50.00. This way you will have a floor jack and jack stands when you install your FTVB, rotate the tires every 6,000 miles, etc.. Look at the cost over the long haul. Remember the 2" lowering shackles are VERY EASY to install for most anyone!! I wrote the following to someone here about the shackle install:
IInstall of 2"drop shackles is quite easy. You will need jack stands and a floor jack though....
A set of say DJM 2" lowering shackles will drop the rear of say an '03 or '04 L about 1 1/2". The truck will look much better and it's ride will remain basically unchanged. After you do the install you will want to run the truck at various speeds under power and coasting. Some / a very few have reported a slight vibration after the install (usually if they went with more then 2" shackles) which required a shim change which in itself is not a big deal. If you go with the 2" shackles you will probably be as myself and many others and not need the shim work because you will have no vibration after install. By the way, I had no negative results from the lowering. Towing, ride, etc. are unaffected but the truck looks much better. For a decent price ($34.95) on the DJM 2" shackles go here http://www.stylinconcepts.com/parts...categoryid=206. Basically shackles are shackles so beware of shackles with inflated prices from other sources.
Oh, when installing the drop shackles.... Once the new shackles are in place, be sure to lower the vehicle completely to the ground and have a buddy or two sit on the back end (weight) before you tighten the shackles. Also, do not overtighten the shackle bolts. JUST **BEFORE** doing the shackle install take your L out and try various speeds under light power and coasting. Feel for unusual vibration, etc.. You need to determine any existing problems BEFORE you do the drop shackle install. Now, After install take the truck out again and put a few miles on it. Check again under light power and coasting at various speeds. IF after your shackle install (you probably won't with the 2" drop shackles) you feel vibrations, etc. come back here and research how and when to shim.

 

Forgot to mention the 2" shackles will drop the rear of your truck about 1 1/2" only. Not alot but it will even the look out. You will probabably not need shim work if you stick with 2" drop shackles.

 

i did the DJM 2" this past weekend...didn't have stands, but i did have a 2.5 ton jack. Jacked up the back at the tow hitch (go ahead and tell me it's not a "good" jackpoint) and then used the factory jack to push up the axel...worked fine and the job was done in 50 minutes.....

 

Took me literally 15 min to install the DJM 2" shackles. Evened out the 03 alot and still has a slight rake. Looks very comparable to a stock 01/02 or a tad bit lower. Like said previously, it is worth getting a jack and stands for the longrun anyways. I have paid my tools off twice already just in the amount of labor I have saved between the shackles, FTVB, and driveshaft loop!

 

You have a 30K-40K truck and all the mods in your sig and don't have a $20.00 set of jack stands?

 

I owned a MB CLK430 before the L, and NEVER did any of the work myself, and i live in a condo, so garage space is limited....my garage is so small that i can't even fit my truck in it (it's too wide and too long).... Never had a need for them until the shackles....

 

Ok..I understand your reasoning.
Just be careful.

 

thanks Memphis.....you're right, i should be a little more careful...