Lowering shackles?

[qu1cks1lver56]

I want to lower my truck some. And flipping the rear end would be way too much for me. So I think shackles is the way to go for me. Anyone want to point me in the direction of some good ones that won't break the bank?

For the front I'm probably going to either cut a coil or 2 off the springs or get some drop spindles. Or both.

[chrismoore701]

Bell tech is the way I went, no problems.

Chris

[54Caddy]

i just put some in my truck recently, i ordered them through summit. They are the summit brand ones, but there just repackaged ground force drop shackles, they were 50 bucks if i remember correctly. The shackles are good for the price and if you didn't know you have to notch out the under side of the bed so they clear it comes with all the measurements on where to make you cuts not hard at all.And cutting the coils i believe for every coil you cut its a 2 inch drop and dont cut half a coil either.

[qu1cks1lver56]

Thanks for the info guys.

[diponyou]

also if your not wanting to order the shackles,i just picked some up at an o'reillys
there belltech shackles for our trucks and they were only 40 bucks

[qu1cks1lver56]

Wow, definitely gonna ride by there and check 'em out.

[54Caddy]

be carefull though i kno autozone sells some cheap brand ones, id order the summit ones

[qu1cks1lver56]

If someone local has belltech's then I'll buy them since I've heard good things about them. But I won't buy any cheapos.

[flamingbig10]

oreilly auto parts sells beltec shackles, also you cold remove a leaf or two lower it more

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by 54Caddy

and dont cut half a coil either.

I haven't heard that before. Why can't you cut half a coil?

Just curious, I'd planned on doing half a coil at a time (on my daughter's truck) until it looks right.

[54Caddy]

My grandpa and dad have always said that ill tell him to fill in on this question, if i remember right it sags or something like that will tell him to answer this question for you..

[3r!c84]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

I haven't heard that before. Why can't you cut half a coil?

Just curious, I'd planned on doing half a coil at a time (on my daughter's truck) until it looks right.

you can cut 1/4 ,1/2 or 3/4 a coil it dont matter

[joe231]

Originally Posted by 54Caddy

i just put some in my truck recently, i ordered them through summit. They are the summit brand ones, but there just repackaged ground force drop shackles, they were 50 bucks if i remember correctly. The shackles are good for the price and if you didn't know you have to notch out the under side of the bed so they clear it comes with all the measurements on where to make you cuts not hard at all.And cutting the coils i believe for every coil you cut its a 2 inch drop and dont cut half a coil either.

if you have 52" springs you will have to notch, but if you have 56" springs you won't....

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

you can cut 1/4 ,1/2 or 3/4 a coil it dont matter

[68Timber]

Cool. I thought I'd stumbled on some voodoo I hadn't met before. And the belltech/oreilley's tip is excellent - my daughter is ready to tear into her truck.

[54Caddy]

i heard that if you cut 1/2 it doesnt sit in the arm bucket right idk just what ive heard

[3r!c84]

you can spin the coil to fit in the grove

[54Caddy]

yea true just saying what ive heard

[N2TRUX]

You can cut a 1/2 coil on the springs with no problem. Just make sure the coil is seated properly in the spring pocket. The most important thing about cuttings coils is to avoid excessive heat. This will lead to sagging springs.

[68Timber]

I'd planned to use my angle grinder, no torch. I think we'll be good, I just wanted to be sure since I'm somewhat new to lowering and this is my daughters truck. Thanks.

[qu1cks1lver56]

Originally Posted by 54Caddy

My grandpa and dad have always said that ill tell him to fill in on this question, if i remember right it sags or something like that will tell him to answer this question for you..

I thought about it, but I want my payload since I'm still gonna pull the boat to the river.

Originally Posted by BRUISER

I'd planned to use my angle grinder, no torch. I think we'll be good, I just wanted to be sure since I'm somewhat new to lowering and this is my daughters truck. Thanks.

Same here, I don't have a torch so angle grinder or possibly my chop saw.

[3r!c84]

use a 3in cut off wheel

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

use a 3in cut off wheel

That's what I was thinking.

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by joe231

if you have 52" springs you will have to notch, but if you have 56" springs you won't....

Glad someone cleared that up, because I was about to vent...LoL.

Misinformation gets under my skin. I too listened to advice on a message board AND the instructions when I put on my drop shackles back in the 90's...notched my bed supports to clear the drop shackles, turned out I didn't have to because I have the longer 56" springs.

That still bugs me...now I have a notched supports for no reason at all.

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

Glad someone cleared that up, because I was about to vent...LoL.

Misinformation gets under my skin. I too listened to advice on a message board AND the instructions when I put on my drop shackles back in the 90's...notched my bed supports to clear the drop shackles, turned out I didn't have to because I have the longer 56" springs.

That still bugs me...now I have a notched supports for no reason at all.

It's there for a reason. To remind you of the progress and information you have learned over the years.

[joe231]

The forum seems to be over-run lately with mis-information and "I have heard" posts....it is to a point where I'm plain tired of correcting all the bad info.
I dunno what can be done about it though.......