Had the front Belltech drop struts, rear Street Performance shocks, 2 degree pinion shims installed yesterday as well as dropping the shackles from the 1.5" position to the 2" position.

There is one negative thing I noticed.....when going over the speed bumps I go over every day it seems the rear does not droop as quickly as it used to meaning the rear "drops" down on the backside of the speed bump with a thud instead of absorbing the drop like the rear is not moving as freely as it did in the 1.5" position. My only thought right now is that the tech may have over-tightened the bolts on the shackles and it is not allowing them the swing and let the springs flex.

Anyone else notice this with your shackles?

*****EDIT**** Looks like I need to tap over the pinch welds on the bottom of the bed. Judging by the witness marks on the bed it appears the top of the shackle is hitting it when the suspension drops down.

 

Just as the instructions prophesized.

 

Actually, the Belltech units' instructions I have say nothing about that. I initially installed them myself at the 1.5" mark without an issue and now it only hits on the drivers side due the the fuel tank lean. Just a few taps and I'll be good to go.

 

Oh. I would've assumed Belltech would've had that in their instructions. I'm running the Ground Force shackles.

I just checked their installation instructions and the information is in there. Weird if it's not in your copy.

http://belltech-store.com/aca_php/im...mages/6406.pdf

S P E C I A L I N S T R U C T I O N S
For the 6406 shackles
• When installing the 6406 shackles you must fold the bed flange to one side or trim the flange
for adequate shackle clearance (Photo 4).
• It is helpful to bolt the shackle to the hanger and swing it thru its range of motion to see where
the flange needs to be modified.

 

Yup, my box did not have that sheet in it but I was aware of the clearance issue. It just slipped my mind since I was not the one to move the hole position.

I also forgot that they are DJM shackles P/N SH3204-2, not Belltech. That would explain the lack of that instruction sheet.....doh, my memory is slipping these days. With getting all the Belltech parts last I forgot they were DJM units.

 

OK, so it is not the shackles hitting the bed. It feels like the shocks may be topping out but I have the correct model Belltech Street Performance shocks on the truck for the 2" drop.

 

Here's an interesting note that may or may not be relevant. The rear shocks for the 2004-2008 are a few inches shorter than the 2009+ (according to the Monroe catalogue) 2WD models. It's possible that Belltech just carried over those applications without actually checking. Wouldn't surprise me.

I can't check that theory with their online application listings, because that part of their site has been broken for a very long time.

But the easy way you can check is to simply compare your original shocks with your aftermarket ones. They should be 2" shorter when fully extended. If they're more than 2" shorter, put the originals back on and call Belltech. If and when you do compare them, let us know what you find.

I'm using my original shocks. For only a 2" drop, they function perfectly.

 

What shocks were you using before all the work was done? My shackles hit the bed too at first and it made noise but didn't reduce travel of the rear suspension. The shocks are probably stiffer with different rebound characteristics then you are used to.