my 3" fabtech... how can I raise the front or lower the rear?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

aggiedave98 · 06-14-2004, 09:38 PM

Some of you have seen the pics...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=106508

I did a 3" fabtech basic lift with ball joint spacers and new springs in the front. And 2" lifted superlift (I think) leaf springs in the back instead of blocks since I needed new springs anyway.

The pics are in the driveway which is sloped, so it's not as noticable in the front, BUT the front of it really needs to move up an inch or the rear needs to go down. Sitting on level ground, it's really noticable. I followed my wife on the highway tonight after going out to dinner to see how it looked on the road, and I don't have any other conclusion. I need to do something.

I'm still not totally convinced the front is really lifted 3". Another guy on here did say he measured his (unfortunately I forgot the "before") and did see 2 3/4 on the front.

So, what can I do here? I would rather have the front end up a little more, but may have to settle for the rear.

I have really heavy tongue weight trailers that I need to tow and am about the get air bags, but maybe I can tow a little before getting the air bags and compress the springs some. But, I don't want to ruin them.

Any help would be appreciated!!

Prerunner1982 · 06-15-2004, 11:06 AM

you can add a small coil spacer. but again it may cause more alignment type issues.....you could use "lowering" shackles in the rear to bring it down a bit.

aggiedave98 · 06-15-2004, 10:51 PM

hmmm... where can I get some lowering shackles??

how do those work? are they shorter??

what exactly is the purpose of the shackles? do they actually move back and forth with the leaf spring compression? I assume they do, but I had to torque them to 120ft-lbs or so why torque them so tight if they're supposed to move?

8t5Silverado · 06-16-2004, 12:28 PM

Lowering shackles replace the stock shackles at the rear of the leaf springs, bringing the spring closer to the body of the truck (or 'burban).

They sometimes require cutting on a truck (not sure about on a suburban).

I don't know if this is the way you should do it or not. If you are interested, I have a new set of lowering shackles I got from Summit that were never installed or you can look at summitracing.com.

aggiedave98 · 06-16-2004, 09:38 PM

Hmmm... but how does a longer shackle actually lower it?? Wouldn't a longer shackle raise the truck??

Is it the 1" lowering shackle? Do you have the model number? I may go that route.

How can I find out if cutting is needed? What would need to be cut?

Thanks for the help!

aggiedave98 · 06-16-2004, 09:57 PM

Ok, DISREGARD my question about lowering it...

I was thinking the shackle went downward, not upward. It's obvious now that a longer one will lower the truck. I was backward.

Can you measure the length of yours so I can see if it will fit w/o cutting?

Thanks. How much do you want for them?

06-14-2004, 09:38 PM	#1
aggiedave98 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 1,007	my 3" fabtech... how can I raise the front or lower the rear?? Some of you have seen the pics... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=106508 I did a 3" fabtech basic lift with ball joint spacers and new springs in the front. And 2" lifted superlift (I think) leaf springs in the back instead of blocks since I needed new springs anyway. The pics are in the driveway which is sloped, so it's not as noticable in the front, BUT the front of it really needs to move up an inch or the rear needs to go down. Sitting on level ground, it's really noticable. I followed my wife on the highway tonight after going out to dinner to see how it looked on the road, and I don't have any other conclusion. I need to do something. I'm still not totally convinced the front is really lifted 3". Another guy on here did say he measured his (unfortunately I forgot the "before") and did see 2 3/4 on the front. So, what can I do here? I would rather have the front end up a little more, but may have to settle for the rear. I have really heavy tongue weight trailers that I need to tow and am about the get air bags, but maybe I can tow a little before getting the air bags and compress the springs some. But, I don't want to ruin them. Any help would be appreciated!!

06-16-2004, 12:28 PM	#4
8t5Silverado Mudslides 'r my specialty Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: STL Posts: 1,106	Lowering shackles replace the stock shackles at the rear of the leaf springs, bringing the spring closer to the body of the truck (or 'burban). They sometimes require cutting on a truck (not sure about on a suburban). I don't know if this is the way you should do it or not. If you are interested, I have a new set of lowering shackles I got from Summit that were never installed or you can look at summitracing.com. __________________ Always on the lookout for old cars and parts...(20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, etc.) http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/500339

06-15-2004, 11:06 AM	#2
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	you can add a small coil spacer. but again it may cause more alignment type issues.....you could use "lowering" shackles in the rear to bring it down a bit.

06-15-2004, 10:51 PM	#3
aggiedave98 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 1,007	hmmm... where can I get some lowering shackles?? how do those work? are they shorter?? what exactly is the purpose of the shackles? do they actually move back and forth with the leaf spring compression? I assume they do, but I had to torque them to 120ft-lbs or so why torque them so tight if they're supposed to move?

06-16-2004, 09:38 PM	#5
aggiedave98 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 1,007	Hmmm... but how does a longer shackle actually lower it?? Wouldn't a longer shackle raise the truck?? Is it the 1" lowering shackle? Do you have the model number? I may go that route. How can I find out if cutting is needed? What would need to be cut? Thanks for the help!

06-16-2004, 09:57 PM	#6
aggiedave98 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 1,007	Ok, DISREGARD my question about lowering it... I was thinking the shackle went downward, not upward. It's obvious now that a longer one will lower the truck. I was backward. Can you measure the length of yours so I can see if it will fit w/o cutting? Thanks. How much do you want for them?



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