Extended Shackles

[HIX]

OK, I have the truck lifted. The 5.5 in the front and a 3inch add-a-leaf in the rear. This leaves the rear 1 inch lower than the front. I want to get some extended shackles made for it. I have a guy that will make them but...I spoke to someone and they said that the rear Shackle is a tension shackle and an extended shackle will only lower it. I have thadd-a-leaf so isn't the tension issue mute?

 

[RockRanger]

Not sure exactly what you mean by a tension scacle but if you make your shacle longer on a ranger it will lift the back about have the length you add into the schacle. Make sure you keep an eye on your pinion angle so you don't get a vibration and or blown u-joints. Another option that I may do is take off the bracket that the attaches to the frame and lower it. From what I have heard the 4 holes that attach it to the fram are the same so you take the top holes of the bracket and mount them in the lower fram holes then just take a chunk of angle iron and drill some holes in it to mount to the bracket and the frame. This should get you about an inch of lift. Another option is that lowering schacles for a full size chevy will fit and lift the back of a ranger so this is another option. I have only heard this never seen it so don't quote me on it.

Matt

 

[HIX]

I have never heard of the tension spring thingy either. I guess I will try out some shackles and see what happens.

Does anyone have the lenght of the stock springs eye to eye?

 

[rpenner54]

Hix your shackles go up and not down if I am thinking right. At leas thats the way the old Rangers were. I would say that using a taller shackle will bring your springs higher up therefore not lifting, lowering. I think what you probably need is a shackle reversal? I could be wrong though since you have a pretty new truck.

 

[HIX]

They go down. Some of the guys on the Ranger board are dong the shackle flip to get extreme travel. Thay have to lift the truck another 2 inches to compensate.

 

[HIX]

I am having the shackles made up this week. They should be done by friday. I will let you know how they work.