I have a friend looking for some shackles to level the back of a 2004 2 wheel drive ford.Here in town they wanted like 150 for a set.Does anyone know of anywhere cheaper?

 

I got a good price from lightning force performance.For a Lightning but probably the same.Avoid Rpm outlet like the plague
hope this helps


http://www.lightningforceperformance...productID=1007

 

You can find a set a Summit Racings website. But it begs the question as to what the difference is betweeen just using shackles vs. using the bracket hadware that costs $300 or so. I have not found anything that gives a good explanation of what you give up when you use the cheaper solution. I like you want to lower my truck a couple of inches and spending $50 to $60 is about all I want to spend. Let us now how it turns out.

 

Ground Force Shackles they are adjustable and come with shims to correct the pinion angle changes from dropping the rear end.

There is a cheaper solution using the DJM shackles ($60 i think), but they don't come with the shims. Some say you need them, some say you don't.

Search the past post on here and you can find a lot of information on shackles.

Good Luck

 

I dropped the backend of my '99 Scab recently about 2 inches; the front is about 1 in. lower than the rear now, vice 3(?).

I understand a 2 in. drop is the limit; more than that and you will need shims and shocks.

 

I've been running 2 inch drop shackles for three years or more, with no pinion angle or shock change. No problems whatsoever. It also improved the flexing of the rear springs. When I pulled into my driveway before, the truck rocked all over the place. Now it feels much better. Not sure why, since they're longer than the stock shackles. They're much thicker, and have urethane bushings, though. That's about the only reason I can think of. You'll give up a bit of weight carrying if you really load it up, but otherwise no big troubles.,,,,98

The only time it ever bottomed out on me, is with the bed fully loaded, and my bike carrier installed, with two steel framed bikes. The extra weight out past the bumper, is what did it.

 

I am still learning about all this lowering stuff, so I don't have all the answers, but i can't help but think that since the 04 is a totally redesigned F-150 that maybe it is possible they do require the shims, while the past F-150's have not. Also, my truck is exactly 2.5" higher in the rear, it may be that the extra .5" is the reason for the shims.

I don't know why one company would sell drop shakles w/ shims, and the other company would not supply shims. So obviously this debate goes further up the chain than even us.

As said before, some folks have used the shakles without the shims (on the 04) installed and said that they have had no problems.

So...I guess it is up to you. Personally I will be getting the shims, if I don't need them...I will throw them in the box, if I do need them, they will be there.

Hope this helps, some!

 

Yeah, I hear you. I know nothing about the newer models. But it is still two leaf springs. Chances are it may not be that critical, like on the older models. I shouldn't be giving advice on lowering myself, for an 04. I was only stating my experience on the 98. No disrespect meant to you or anyone else.,,,,98

 

I used the Ground Force shackles and the shims that came with them on my 2004 SCREW and I have had no trouble. Some have used the DJM shackles w/o shims and had no problems. There was someone on this site though that used the DJM w/o shims and developed a vibe. He took the DJM shackles off and the vibe went away. He then put on Ground Force shackles with the shim and no vibe. The choice is yours, and it's seems to be a crap shoot on these trucks when it comes to the vibe issue. For only $20 more I'd go with the Ground Force.

 

Hey no problem at all. That is what we are all here for. If everyone chips in the little bit they do know, then we might get this stuff figured out!!

I will usually tell ya'll "hey, I'm just not sure" when I am not sure. Cause, I would hate to give someone the wrong advise, and then they start havin problems. On top of that, when I ask a question...I would like to know that it is good solid advise...ya know?

Regards,