1997 X sport 2" shackle lift question??? | Ford Explorer Forums

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1997 X sport 2" shackle lift question???

Joined
May 9, 2004
Messages
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City, State
Niagara -on - the - Lake , Ontario
Year, Model & Trim Level
1997 sport
Just want to start by saying im a new member and this is such a great site, ive learned so much by just reading this stuff!!! But the question is about doing a TT and installing shackles on my 97 Sport! First off if my front end is already looking pretty good and the back is of course looking a bit sagging would just adding the shackles be enough?? or just doing a TT for about an inch be a better idea?? Next some of you guys show me pics of what the lift would look like with just these two things done, without AAL or anything else.. well thanx a LOT guys,, Oh and when you lift your truck to do the shackles, and all the weight is off the tires, will the leafs spring up once the bolts are off?

http://members.cardomain.com/19813
 



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Welcome to the site!!!!

If I were you I would put the shackles on there first, and see how it sits, and how much you have to bring the front up to match.

If it is only an inch then you can always slap an add-a-leaf in there later, and bring the front up to the 2 inch limit. It will probably have a bit of rake. The back will end up with 3 to 3.5 inches vs. the front's two.

A lot of the people running both started with a older vehicle that had serious butt sag. You being a 97 I doubt you will have much over a half inch sag, so should get between 1.5 and 2 inches out of the shackles /TT

I did not lift the rear of my truck to do the shackles. I just climbed under and loosened everything up. The leaf springs will jump up an inch or two, but just watch the fingers whe pulling the shackle bolts and all will be fine. I recommend using your bottle jack between the frame and the leafs to push them down far enough to get the new shackles on.

And lastly remember that your front will settle a bit after driving for a couple days, so I would wait two days, re-measure and adjust, then go get an alignment done.

And for the next related question. Your shocks and brake lines are long enough, though you may want to remove the x-tra shock that runs from the rear dif to the frame.

I couldn't find any real good pictures, but this is a poor one of me with TT and shackles. Tires are still the tiny litlle 30x9.50.

20122000_0152.jpg
 






in the back your going to want to swap inot a leaf pack from a 4-door. That shoud make the truck level if not a little higher in the rear. Then get some shackels and do a 2'' TT up front.
 






Yeah your sport has a mono-leaf rear suspension so you would have to swap in a 4door pack iff you want to put an add a leaf in. But like boomin said the 4door pack might raise it the 2"s you're looking for. Good luck man, and post pics! :)

Later
CP :D
 






Thanks guys,, well i was hoping not to do anything with the leafs, i just want to put in some shackles, and i hope that will at leat make it look a bit higher!! that's all i want , nothing to major for now!!
 






make it look a bit higher!! that's all i want , nothing to major for now!!

Now those be famous last words ;)

I always forget the sports have those single leafs. You probably should take the advice and think about swappin in the 4-door pack. It will definately look cleaner and do less to kill your departure angle than shackles.

Not to mention squeek squeek squeek.
I exagerate a little the shackles only squeek during certain conditions.
 






They shouldn't squeak if you put a little grease on them.
 






changing out the leafs isnt that hard to do at all... basically, its just 2-3 times harder than the shackles... but it isnt that it is hard... its just more parts involved
 






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