Working on an '02 L that has been lowered with Belltech Shackles and I assume Belltech springs in the front. It uses Belltech Nitro shocks. Here is the question, on the rear leaf springs, the factory brackets have been cut off with a torch and new brackets that raise the spring perch (thus lowering the truck) have been installed. Is this part of the Belltech kit or an add on?

So far I have reinstalled factory L shackles and Bilsteins on the rear, but if I reinstall factory front springs I believe the truck will have a backwards rake ie: the truck will look jacked up in the front if I don't also replace these rear spring perches. How much am I going to raise the truck in the front by replacing these springs with factory.

So again, my question is, is this front leaf hanger part of the belltech kit, and if so, how much drop it this kit F/R?

thanks,
chris

 

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Rear hangers? Maybe it was lowered 2/4 with Springs, Shackles, and Hangers. I believe Belltech sells hangers too.

 

Yes, you will have to install the front hangers on the rear springs. Or else it will sit about 2 inches higher in the front! Will look like you have a tone of gravel in the bed...LOL. I say if you want to raise it back up, then put the factory front springs and rear hangers on, but leave the rear shackles on.

 

Did this customer request that the parts be taken off the truck and put back to stock height? I am just wondering what went wrong.

If this is a trade in that Universal wants returned to stock, then I will gladly find a new home for those front springs. Maybe we can work a deal.

 

What the Orphaner said....hangers are part of the kit! My L with belltech hangers with stock shackles brought it down 2.5 inches in the rear. From center wheel to fender lip it measures 17 3/8". I think the stock front wheel measurement was about 18". So yes you'll have a slight rear sag look.

 

yeah, but the problem is that the original "hangers" or spring perches were cut off with a blow torch. and they were either destroyed or the customer doesn't have them or both. So now they are trying to decide if they want to go and buy new ones and do the work to put them on and fix the front or just leave it like it sits now. It actually looks pretty good now, just doesn't ride like factory. When it came in it was actually lower in the rear, now it is low but has the correct forward rake.

BTW, the story is that the customer traded the truck in (only 12000 or so miles) on a new Harley.

later,
chris

 

when i had my full belltech kit on (i.e. front springs, hangers and shackles), it rode horrable, bottomed out front and back, i proceded to put the stock shackles back on, like that truck u have is setup, it rides much better. from stock i think it is very close, but to get it better make sure. 1 endlinks are shortened the same as the lower (i.e. 2" drop in front, cut end link by 2" and same in rear), also get lowering shocks the stock bilsteins arnt the right damper rate. and most important cut the rear and front bump stops or it will hit, i took my fronts off all together and no problems..


jim

p.s. also make sure if u do put it back to stock ride height take out the shims between the rear axle and the leafs, also the emergency cable was probally altered also with the belltech kits that has to be played with..

 

Good point L in Detroit! Yeah, definitely check the E brake Bracket that mounts to the frame...it needed modification during the Hanger install. And the rear end shims if any were added.

Thats whats good about this board, if enough people read it someone will catch just about anything left out or omitted.



-Mark