Hey, has anyone here chose to do 2" drop shackles and 2" springs over the Beltek rear hanger replacement?

Do tell if you have.

 

Wow!! No one has done this? That actually speaks volumes on not to do it. Does anyone know why this might not be a good idea?

I was going to buy all the stuff tomorrow but thought i would check first, i think i'll hold off.

 

dtdionne,

That is the configuration on my truck right now. It looks good and is a real good starting point if you're not real sure how low you want the rear. You could always, at a later date, install the hangers or a set of springs to bring the rear down more.

What I've decided to do is install a set of Hotchkis two inch drop springs and when I do install them I'm going to raise the rear back up one inch by moving the springs down in the shackles holes. This will give me a two inch drop in the front and a three inch drop in the rear. It will retain a little of the factory rake but not as much as I have right now, which, like I said, isn't bad at all. I prefer a little rake, I think it helps to keep the stock look but achieve the lowering effect without putting it completely level.

Some people like the level look, and that's OK with me, but a small amount of rake is what I personally like. Not meaning to knock anybodys ride that is level, on the contrary, I have seen some good looking level lowered trucks.

Look in my gallery and you will see some pics of my truck stock, lowered 2 and 2, and some other crap that won't matter.

I hope this helps you make a decision, but ultimately YOU have to be satisfied. It's your truck. Good luck!!

Tim

 

Thanks, i looked at your whole gallery yesterday, its great!

How did you lower your front? Did you change out the shocks? Or anything else?

that was great help! I cant wait to do it. How hard were the shackles? Or how hard was the whole thing to lower for you?

 

That is exactly how I lowered the rear of my L. 2" drop shackles and 2" drop Hotchkis leafs.

 

Your talking this just on the back right. Not 2in all around... You still want a 3/4 or 2/3 drop right?

3in springs up front & 2in shackels and 2in leaf springs in the back right?? Using the leaf springs instead of the front hangers?

 

Correct.
What do I need up front for a 2" drop? Eibach springs? do i need anything else? shocks? anything? Im ordering tomorrow! I cant wait.

 

I used the Bell Tech 3/4 kit *front springs* from the Online Store here at F150online. They can be bought seperately. Call or email Roger. He's a nice guy to work with that will help with exactly what you need.

There a lots of opinions on shocks. Get the springs and shackles first and experiment with shocks later. By then you will have time to make an informed decision.

PS. The front springs are the best, ride great. At least that's my opinion. Installation of the front springs and rear shackles is a piece of cake. You can take your time and have it done in 2 to 3 hours. You will not need anything else at this point except for two cam bolt adjustment kits, that can be bought from NAPA, for front end alignment. Ask for number 264-2953, you will need two of these kits that cost $15 each.


Later on you will need to shorten your swaybar end links to recover the quality of handling that you will loose lowering it. This is very important for a good handling package.

Tim

 

Hank,

How do you like the ride of the Hotchkis front and rear springs? Your truck sits JUST RIGHT in my opinion.

Tim

 

and a set of Herb's washers if you don't have them already.



Bob

 

Thanks Bob, I knew I was forgetting something!:o

 

You all RULE!! Could/should I just buy new sway bar end links? If money were o'plenty?
Who can cut the sway bar end links and how much does that generally run? Anyone got before and after photos of modified sway bar end links?

Thanks

 

You can buy the front at most parts stores but the rear are a different style (dog bone style) and while you CAN probably buy them somewhere, I don't know where yet. I plan to cut 3 inches out of mine and weld them back together.

The front shouldn't cost much, there's not much to them, but I could be wrong. I'm going to look for some today.

You need to shorten them the same amount as you lower the truck, ie, 2 inches front and whatever you decide on the rear, 3 inches?

 

I never thought of these end links when I did the 3/4 drop, however if I understand what's happening, you are "unloading" the anti sway bars if you don't shorten the end links equally. Is this right? Thanks!!

 

Not exactly, if I understand what WrongdayJ told me correctly. The sway bars still work but not as efficiently because they are not parallel with the road anymore and are working in an arch.

By lowering the truck and not shortening the end links, the stock end links are too long now and have forced the ends of the swaybar up on the front sway bar and down on the rear sway bar. ( they work in opposite directions )

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong!