New idea for lowering a little bit

[briwayjones]

I was throwing around the idea of maybe lowering my X to improve handling. I was looking at the X-Spec lowering kit. So I was thinking just about 1.5". The thing is it's 4WD and I do drive in deep snow occasionally or have the potential to get in mud every now and then. So I don't want to put any part of the suspension closer to the ground. So that rules out the lowering kits. But what if custom shackles where installed that were about 1.5" shorter? The opposite of using longer shackles for lifting. Shackles that are shorter than stock. It looks like to me there's room to work with. That way it wouldn't actually put the springs closer to the ground. I don't know much about suspensions. What kind of problems would this cause? Would it work?

 

[Turdle]

I did see your other post on this subject.
It sounds possible--hopefully someone will know for sure

I went ahead and deleted the other thread

 

[briwayjones]

Thanks Jon. I figured I'd put it here where there's more traffic. I did notice you trying to steer people towards it. Thanks.

 

[BlingNGasoline]

you can shorten them only so much before they loose their function

 

[MountaineerGreen]

What if you swapped in monoleafs?

I'm not a lowerer, but its a thought................

 

[briwayjones]

That's an option. I'm guessing though that when I loaded it down it would be sagging beyond belief. Especially since they tend to even sag on Sports.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I think shorter than stock shackles may cause extremely stiff ride

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Your best option would be lowering blocks.
I don't anyway possible of making the shacles shorter. More than likely the spring would be in contact with the frame.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Dan has the right idea- same spring rate, same shackle length, lower cog. Blocks would be easy. You may be able to do a 1" block and keep your factory u bolts.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I dont think theres any way of shorting the shacle either. I mean of coarse theres ways to shorten it, but I mean to keep its function!

-Drew

 

[Silver X]

Alot of other sport trucks use shorter shackles for lowering, but I don't know if its possible with the Explorer suspension. Someone needs to fab up some cheap pieces to try it out. Not necessarily drive that way, just bolt em up and see if they have enough range to flex the springs.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

If the spring pearch mounted to the side of the frame it would probably work but our Explorers/Munatineers the shackle mounts through the frame.

 

[briwayjones]

I thought they looked pretty long to me and that there would be enough room to shorten them with the springs contacting the frame. But I didn't study them that much.

 

[BlingNGasoline]

why not just take a leaf out of the pack?

 

[briwayjones]

Hmm, didn't think of that. What would you do take the bottom leaf (shortest one) out?

 

[freak007]

I have never really looked at the shackels on my mountaineer... but I wheel full sixe dodges and the way their rear suspension is set up the shackel hanger is on the side of the frame with the shackel pointing up, so extending the shackel LOWERS your truck in this instance... something we typically do is FLIP the mount so the shackel now points down, then extend it by 4" or so, and replace the factory block with a 2" block (instead of 4"), this reduces axle wrap, while increasing flex and ride quality...

I guess what I am getting at is if a shorter shackel will drop your truck then obviously it is pointed down. Why not flip your shackel to put the spring above the mount to get your drop?

 

[briwayjones]

I guess what I am getting at is if a shorter shackel will drop your truck then obviously it is pointed down. Why not flip your shackel to put the spring above the mount to get your drop?

The shackle is mounted directly on the bottom of the frame not on the side.

 

[freak007]

makes sence... carry on

*retreats back into dark hole he came out of*

 

[briwayjones]

makes sence... carry on

*retreats back into dark hole he came out of*

hehe, ideas are good. Don't stay in your hole to much.

 

[freak007]

b ut I like it in here... dark... warm... moist... kinda reminds me of... well nevermind


have you measured your current springs length and width... maybe there is a swap you can do...