Just got a new reg cab/flareside 4x4. The truck sits too high for me. Someone suggested installing "drop shackles" which will lower the rear. Will this adversly affect the rear suspension?

 

The drop shackles won't disturb the rear at all but do keep in mind that you're going to spin the torsion bars for the front to drop it and that will change the ride if you do it to much! I recomend a inch inch and a half on the front before the ride altered to much!

 

why buy a 4x4 and lower it jack that baby up!!!!

 

Just installed a set of 2" drop shackles on my 2001 4x2 SuperCrew. One thing to remember is that the shackles 'will' change the pinion angle which 'may' create vibration in the driveline. This is exactly what happened to me. The problem is corrected via installation of a set of axle shims, 2 degrees in my case, installed between the sping packs and the associated axle perch. Just something else to think about when using shackles to drop your truck. Good luck.

 

I have the same tire and wheel package and 2" shackles in the rear, I installed a 4 degree shim kit, i am still having problems with noise. the vibration stopped, but the noise did not, Do your tires create road noise? Thanks.

 

RoadKing,
Where are you located in Louisiana? I am from Raceland. I am thinking about doing the same drop. I have a 2002 White SuperCrew with the Lightning bumper cover. I will be getting the Street Scene 6 piece body kit at the end of the month. I am pricing the 18" chrome lightning rims.

Blake

 

The Kuhmo Ecsta STX's are notorious for noise. Mine generate quit a bit of hum (more than I would prefer) at any speed over 30mph. They 'could' be the source of your noise. Of course, my Magnaflow catback exhaust system also contributes to noise at the rear of my truck. The 4 degree shims you've got installed surprise me though. Let me describe why.

When I measured my driveline angles before installing my DJM 2" drop shackles, I had approximately 4.25 / 4.5 degrees of angle on both the front of the pinion and on the driveshaft (deviation was =< .5 degree). After installing my drop shackles and a 3 degree shim kit, I set my truck down and re-measured these two angles and found that I had 'over' corrected the pinion angle by a little more than a degree (i.e. driveshaft was still at 4.25 / 4.5 degrees but the pinion was at approx. 5.5 degrees). I then installed a set of 2 degree shims and re-measured my driveline angles and found both angles were back to approx 4.5 degrees (with a deviation =< .5 degree). I know for certain that I have no driveline vibration or noise (have tested the truck up to 85mph on the interstate) so I feel as though I've got the right driveline angles in place.

My only suggestion to you is as follows. Get up under your truck and verify your driveline angles to see if you have a 'significant' difference (i.e. >.5 degree) that could be corrected with a different set of shims. Other than that, I hope the info I've shared is helpful and I wish you good luck in your search for the answer.

 

I'm In Baton Rouge, I've got a set of 18" Lightning Wheels with
Kuhmo Ecsta STX's on my truck now that I'm thinking about selling. Kuhmo Ecsta STX's 285/60/18 (18K miles) I put the 2"drop shackle, tires & wheels,tinted windows, and a sound system so far. My plans are to purchase a 2004 as soon as they are out in which I will probably put 20's on.

 

Very Helpful, thanks. I going check out the angles now,

 

RoadKing,
When do you plan on selling and what are you looking to get for the rims and tires? I will order some chrome rims tomorrow as soon as I talk to my Ford dealership and AXF Wheels to get a price. I have a buddy that can hook me up with a set of Goodyear tires for $100 a tire. Not sure on the exact model though.
Are you going to trade in your truck? Would you need factory rims? I am putting my factory set of rims and tires for sale. Maybe we can work something out if you are interested.

Thanks,
Blake