First off, this is my first post and i would like to thank everyone for the useful knowledge i obtained from this site.

I have a 2004 Supercrew 4x4. I am installing 24" rims and would like to lower the rear of the truck 2 inches or enough to level it out.

It seems shackles are the way to go from what i have read. Can i use the standard rear shackles everyone is buying or do i need something differant because i am 4wd. Everyone on here i read putting shackles on is doing it on a 2wd.

Which are best....DJM, Belltech, or Ground Force.

Thanks for all your help!!!

Aaron from Ohio,

 

just order some 2wd U bolts, and take out the factory 2" lift block that is between the leafs and the axle. That would put you at factory ride height for a 2wd in the rear

 

What he said.... I just did this mod to my truck this week, it will effectively lower your bed by exactly two inches. It makes a noticable improvement in looks and ride in my opinion. However, it will not level out the 4x4 exactly, mine is still about 1-1/2" higher at the rear but I can live with that. You can see pictures of after I lowered it in my gallery.

If you decide you want it sitting exactly level you will need to obtain a drop shackle and lower it at least another inch. Ground Force is best since it has wedges you can install along with the shackle to correct the pinion angle or it may shimmy at cruise speeds.

I have a brand new set of the G-Force shackles that I probably will never install ( bought them before I learned about the rear spacer) If you need a set let me know and I`ll give you a good deal.

 

04TrueBlue4x4 were you able to reuse your U bolts, or did you order new ones?

 

You didn't link your gallery....

I should be getting my 2WD U-Bolts (4 of them) today via UPS and will be installing them along with my Magnaflow 16612 SI/SO exhaust tomorrow. I'm glad to hear there is still a very slight rake with the back end still a tad higher. I just don't like how high it sits currently back there....

-Brian

 

here is 04TrueBlue4x4's gallery
https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=9257

 

Thanks I had just searched and found it and was about to post this also..

 

Excellant. I will get some u-bolts from a late model f150. do i need to order them for a specific application? i will probably just order them from the 04 supercrew 2wd.

Thanks for the help!! This will give me a true 2" drop.

 

This is what I purchased at the recommendation of another forum member... (you need 4)

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...=6&catalogid=2

-Brian

 

Sorry I left out the link to the gallery guys, thanks Patman for posting it.

Standard duty 2wd U-Bolts will work, you can re-use the nuts since they have a nylon patch fastening ring to hold torque. I found the torque spec on Pro-Comps 2004 F-150 Add-a-leaf installation instructions. 95 ft/lbs Let me tell you that it was a decent upper body workout torquing all 8 nuts to 95 ft/lbs while laying flat on my back on a creeper! Anyway the installation went without a hitch and as I mentioned it does make a noticable differance.

 

Where did you jack the rear up at? The hitch?

-Brian

 

I had access to a lift, and located the lift arms right on the front leaf spring hangers that attach to the frame. I raised the rear just enough to barely lift the tires off the floor. Then I removed the U-bolts which lets the tires sit on the ground, wiggled out the spacers, then had a friend lower the lift while I lined up the two pins on the leaf spring hangers that locate into the axle housing. Mine didn't drop down all the way at first until I started tightening the new U-bolts and then it "popped" into place.
If I only had a floor jack I would lift at the same location I just mentioned, but would also support it with jackstands since the floorjack does not have a safety catch in case of failure like the lift I used did.
Goodluck

 

Great help. Almost looks like i have enough threads on mine to reuse.But i will buy them since you gave me the link

 

how much for your u bolts and 2in. spacers

 

I'm thinking of doing this mod myself on my SuperCab with an 8' box.
Do you know if this changes your payload capability?

Thanks