Was looking at installing 2" lift shackles on my truck and was wondering if I needed to install shims as well. I know those who are installing drop shackles should.

I have a 2.5" leveling kit on the front and even though I proved to myself that it was perfectly level, it looks a little off to me so I want to add about an inch or so of lift to the back. I just dont want to f anything up by doing so.

 

No shims required. A 2" shackle will only lift the rear close to 1.5" so you will be completely fine. My 1.5" shackle lifted 1 1/8th".

 

Cool thanks. Will be doing it this weekend. Will post a pic if I can

 

Lift the rear then support with jackstands...the axle will then droop. Reposition the jack under the axle on the side you're working on and jack it up until you can relieve the tension on the spring and shackle. It'll make sense when you start doing it.
Final notes: The bottom bolt should be easily removed, but you must jack up the axle until the top bolt clears the top of the frame support. It may be easier if you dropped down the spare tire, but I was able to finagle the bolts enough to remove/install them without moving the spare at all. All in all, it should take about 1 to 1.5 hours tops...pretty easy mod.

 

Cool, thanks. Did you support the axle by the diff?

 

With the help of a 2x4, I jack at the diff when I need to lift the entire rear end at the same time (which is what I did here). My jack stands were on either side of the truck, supporting at the frame. This allows me to re-position the jack under each side of the axle to relieve the stress on the springs and free/install the shackle. Also this does not require air tools at all...simple hand tools (1/2" ratchet/socket and wrench to hold the nut - don't remember what size though).

Forgot to mention to lube the urethane bushings and metal sleeve like crazy or they might squeak over time. I couldn't find my tube of lithium goo so I just used a bunch of red bearing grease I had lying around. If I had thought about this sooner, I would've drilled and tapped a zerk fitting...now that I remembered that, I feel like drilling/tapping the fitting this weekend.

 

Thanks again. Im gonna do it this weekend. Ill post some pics!

 

Stove top, thanks for the help

On some of the older trucks, the blots had clips on the them to prevent them from spinning so you could lossen/tighten them. Mine did not, and I had to unbolt my exhaust to get the shackle into place. All in all, very very very easy.

 

Yeah it's one of those things where the first side may take about an hour, but the other side will take ya 15mins! Good job...did it give you the lift you were expecting?

 

Yup, I have about 0.5" of rake, which is what I was looking for. After I had installed my 2.5" leveling kit, it just looked off. I proved to myself it was level, but it was driving me nuts. Love the way it sits now

 

Who sells those lift shackles? My 2.5 leveling kit is also driving me nuts. I swear it looks like the front is higher now. My running boards look like there is a slight rise to the rear, but the space between the tire and wheel well looks a little larger on the front than the rear. A tape measure has them at the same distance.

Did you need any type of shock extension?

 

http://shop.suspensionmax.com/

no, stock shocks work perfectly

 

Thanks for the info. I'm guessing that a kit contains 2 shackles? I'll give them a call tomorrow.

 

Not sure if you already ordered, but I got the same thing on an Ebay auction last year, havent had any issues with them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-Lif...Q5fAccessories

Gave me a little over an inch of lift. I actually ended up putting another 1/2 block in there (courtesy of Kevin at AS) to get the ride height I wanted.

Good luck!

 

They are both made by springtech. I just went with the ones from suspension max since it was $50 shipped instead of $80ish like the ebay ones.