I had my 2" shackles installed today at a local shop. Aside from the shop quoting me one price and then billing another price, (twice of what was quoted) I am pleased with the new ride, handling, and overall appearence. Not to mention my ability to catch the guy in a lie and talk him down on the price. My question is this: Are there common porblems with driveline, suspension, etc. after installing this one and only mod? Have any of you had problems conected to or coming from the shackles? I just want to know what to listen for. Thanks

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2000 Reg. Cab Flareside F-150, 5.4 Sport in Black: K&N, Pioneer CD, Infinity Kappa Components, Rockford Amp and 12" DVC sub
Next Week's Mods: Flowmaster 50 series w/ Borla square side exit tips and 2" lowering shackles.

 

No problems here and it's been 1.5 years since the install. Enjoy it!

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'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6, 5spd, Superchipped, K&N Air Filter, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, Painted Tailgate Handle, Bell-Tech 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII. Likes straightaways, loves twisties.

 

Did you remember to have your wheel alignment checked with the new ride height. Even though you lowered the back, the alignment may change.

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BLK 2000 F150 XLT 4X4 SuperCab SB, Shift-on-the-fly, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55 LS, 4-Wheel disc/ABS, ORP, Keyless, PWR Seat, Slider, Soft tonneau, Cab steps.
MODS: Rhino, Molded flaps

 

No, I have not had the alignment checked. Is that something I can have done under warranty?

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2000 Reg. Cab Flareside F-150, 5.4 Sport in Black: K&N, Pioneer CD, Infinity Kappa Components, Rockford Amp and 12" DVC sub
Next Week's Mods: Flowmaster 50 series w/ Borla square side exit tips and 2" lowering shackles.

 

A 2" rear drop made a difference in handling? I may have to try it. I don't know if the alignment has to be checked (they probably won't do it under warranty, you messed it up ), buy you might want to check the aim of the headlights.

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Danny
'98 F-150 Std., RC, SB, 4x2, 4.2L, 5-sp, 3.08, AC, speed control, rear slider.
Mods: Mobil 1 engine oil, Red Line MTL trans fluid, Edelbrock IAS shocks,
50 Series Flowmaster, K&N with airbox mod, electric radiator fan, Superchip

 

Yeah mine handles AND rides better with the shackles

 

i also must agree that the shackles do make a difference in handling and ride quality. however, the fact that my truck is unlevel is driving me insane, i'm considering taking the shackles off.

ford4life, i'm not sure if you ever read my response under your last topic(concerning me being an AG). i was accepted into A&M, but got a scholarship to blinn, so decided to go there for at least a year. there is another member on here from A&M. i was supposed to meet up with him a couple of months ago to go to a rally, but it never happened. anyway, we should try to start a ford truck club in c.s. seeing that it is predominately chevy/gmc (ex. the lifted Z71 that says "Ford Eater" on the rear window).

***JasoN***

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Oxford White 1998 F-150 STX, reg. cab, flareside, 4.2, auto, 3.55s, tint, Prestige alarm, Bel radar detector, Pioneer CD player, 4 Polk 5x7's, Stull billet grille and bumper insert, Flowmaster exhaust, K&N airfilter, V-Tech Tailight Covers(painted to match truck), removed factory mud flaps, Clear Corner Lenses, DJM shackles, Billet Oval Mirror FUTURE MODS: Roush Front Bumper, Yokohama AVS S/T 285/60/17, Superchip, ASP Crank Pulley, Steeda Sway Bar, Herculiner, removal of emblems GIG'EM AGGIES

 

I have to agree with you. The rear end feels much tighter. It does not feel like it is going to brake lose when cornering. It did not seem to make the rear end seem any more uneven than it was.

I go to A&M, and I have seen the Z71 that you speak of. I think he lives down the street from some good friends of mine. They (Z71) seem to be outside alot. A FORD truck club would be a great thing, as there are too many Silverados running around up here. The 3 or 4 guys with Lightnings might be interested, I'm sure.

 

ford4life~
hey, just wanted to get your thoughts/opinions on the best way to go about starting a F-150 club. there are several nice f-150's at blinn, so i guess the easiest way would be to just make a flier and leave it on their windshield. i'm going to try to get in touch with the other guy on here(his screen name is WCHAIN)to see if he might be interested. if we can get enough people together, i can get my cousin to make us window decals (his webpage is www.stickerhere.com ). anyway, let me know what you think.


ok, talked to Wes(WChain). he is in Washington D.C. doing an internship for Congress and has gotten rid of his truck. he did mention he is now driving an explorer and would be interested in a FORD truck club as you mentioned earlier . . .

***JasoN***


[This message has been edited by J_Rock (edited 01-14-2000).]

 

Jason-

Well, it all depends on who you want the club to be affiliated. If you went through A&M, someone could go to one of their "Sports Car Club" or "Texas A&M Offroad" meetings and plead their case. There would be many potentail members there, to be sure. I don't know what your angle should be for anything wider than that. For instance, the B/CS area. But the flyer idea seems pretty smart. Were you thinking of a FORD club or of a FORD TRUCK club? Just 1/2 tons? Thanks.

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2000 Reg. Cab Flareside F-150, 5.4 Sport in Black: K&N, Flowmaster 50 w/ Borla square side exit tips, 2" lowering shackles, Pioneer CD, Infinity Kappa Components, Rockford Amp and 12" DVC sub.

 

Sorry, Brian. Just saw your revision. Ford trucks in general would add a great deal of cred. Thanks

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2000 Reg. Cab Flareside F-150, 5.4 Sport in Black: K&N, Flowmaster 50 w/ Borla square side exit tips, 2" lowering shackles, Pioneer CD, Infinity Kappa Components, Rockford Amp and 12" DVC sub.

 

Ford4life, Have you had any problems with the shocks bottoming out after you installed the shackles? I am considering installing shackles, but i'm wondering if there will be problems when carrying a load. How does the your truck look with the stock tires? Thanks

 

Well, I have only had them for almost a week now. So I really haven't had an opportunity to test them out under extreme load siuations. Actually, a few weeks ago, I had to haul about 900 pounds of stone (tile) in the truck and I liked the look so much, prob. 4" lower than stock, I ordered the shackles. I had no problem at all hauling that much in stock trim. Don't quote me on this, but from what I have seen and heard, there is never really a problem at all w/ shackles and moderate loads. All I need now are hangers to complete the 4" look. I guess it all depends on wich wheel size you have, too. I have the 17"ers, and they fill the wheel well adequately, but not great. How much do you plan to haul? My truck sat really high in the back, so it's still about an 1" and 1/2 above level in the rear. The better handling and drivability were worth the price for me, anyway. Thanks.

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2000 Reg. Cab Flareside F-150, 5.4 Sport in Black: K&N, Flowmaster 50 w/ Borla square side exit tips, 2" lowering shackles, Pioneer CD, Infinity Kappa Components, Rockford Amp and 12" DVC sub.

 

2" shackles only, you will not have to align your "front" end! Stock shocks will still work fine, depending of course how much load you may haul, etc. but for just cruzin they'll be fine. You might like to do hangers, and new front coils to bring it down a little more and get rid of that HUGE wheel well opening.


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1999 F-150 XLT, Ext.Cab, 5.4L, 3:55 limited slip, 4x2, Bright Torch Red(all color matched-bumpers, mirrors) "Sport" pkg., Tonneau,285/50/17, 3" custom catback, Superchips, Airaid, Lowered 4" rear & 3" front, Herculiner bed lining(self install) AWESOME! Newest E/T at the drags 6/26/99: 14.9sec at 90.4 mph. Billet Badges, Billet Antenna, Removal of "Sport" sticker and door guards. Just added (12/16/99) Billit oval rear view mirror, billit master cylinder cover, and billet third brake light cover.1/16/00 - added billet sill plates, "red" braided hoses, "Red" nut covers. For photos e-mail me at: whtstuff@aol.com OR my web page at Http://members.aol.com/whtstuff/myweb.html

 

Ford4life,
thanks for the reply. On ocassion I haul 2 dirt bikes and gear along with a couple passengers. This type of load lowers the bed maybe one inch in the stock form. I have the 16 inch stock wheels and i'm not planning on changing them. Thanks