Longer leaf springs and shackle flip questions

[woodwright]

I have a 70 K10 and am trying to get all my ducks in a row. I have read a few times about longer leaf springs, and shackle flips, and shackle reversals. Is there some good threads about this stuff, so I can understand it better? I want to lift my K10 4 inches or so, SUPER cheap, but I've also read that cheap lift kits ride like crap, and my stock springs are shot. Just trying to figure out which way to go. I can fab whatever I need to. I'm also throwing around building a link setup which I can buy a few rod ends here and there, and fab the rest. Thanks

[morgan71]

Okay, here is what I know and its not alot. I have been researching on how best to lift m 1972 k2500. The shackle flip deal is good if you dont plan on hauling trailers or loads as the shackle reversal doesnt support weight as well as the factory design, it puts the shackle under compression rather than tension and would likely make it want to roll under heavy weight. If your springs are shot you could have them rearched, here in Tulsa that costs 150 for both rear springs and then with the added cost of the shackle flip you have just bought yourself a new set of springs. Tuff country has a affordable setup that rides good but they dont recommend towing with it unless you add overloads because they are easy rides front and rear. I know Rough Country are supposed to ride very rough but I am converting to a big block and I still want towing capacity so I will likely be going that direction. Let me know what you think about that I have been thinking I might email them and try and get a group buy discount for those who are interested.

[estig70]

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/shacklekit.htm

check this website out, it may have some helpful information.

a member of the board, Yukonjack, has used this setup and has a write up about it I think on his own website. look him up.

heres a link to Yukonjack's member info...................http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/member.php?u=414

Eric

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by morgan71

Okay, here is what I know and its not alot. I have been researching on how best to lift m 1972 k2500. The shackle flip deal is good if you dont plan on hauling trailers or loads as the shackle reversal doesnt support weight as well as the factory design, it puts the shackle under compression rather than tension and would likely make it want to roll under heavy weight. If your springs are shot you could have them rearched, here in Tulsa that costs 150 for both rear springs and then with the added cost of the shackle flip you have just bought yourself a new set of springs. Tuff country has a affordable setup that rides good but they dont recommend towing with it unless you add overloads because they are easy rides front and rear. I know Rough Country are supposed to ride very rough but I am converting to a big block and I still want towing capacity so I will likely be going that direction. Let me know what you think about that I have been thinking I might email them and try and get a group buy discount for those who are interested.

I don't think I lost any trailering ability from my shackle flip.

Because of the nature of the beast it does effectively decrease the spring rate of your springs just a bit, but not tremendously. It does offer much better flex and a little better ride in compression form if your shackle angles are correct. With a ~8,000 lbs load heavy on the tongue weight, I had about 1" of sag in the rear, but it was on a 9,200 gvwr truck so I have pretty heavy springs.

For around 4" you really can't beat ORD's shackle flip kit for the rear. Longer leafs will make your ride better, but you must relocate your hangers in order to fit them. 63-64" leafs from 88+ GMs are a popular swap.

Basically any time you buy lift springs with a high arch you are going to ride rougher as there is no way to get around increasing the spring rate as well as decreasing mechanical advantage when going that route. For a 4" lift I recommend shelling out the $$ for good springs in the front (Deaver if they make them for this application) and then a shackle flip in the rear to retain at least factory ride in the rear.

[jason65]

Thanks for the info. I was wandering about the shackle flip.

[morgan71]

I was only explaining that it was not the best route to use shackle flip if you are gonna tow, I have no idea if He is gonna tow with his rig, And your rig is in no way an apples to apples comparison of how his will act with the shackle flip, yours has much newer, longer and higher capacity springs all of which will positively effect the towing ability. I would agree that the shackle flip is a great option that perform very well I just wouldnt tow with them on my rig. But I tow some heavy stuff and Its just my way of thinking

[msgross]

diy4x.com has a flip as well..

[estig70]

Originally Posted by msgross

diy4x.com has a flip as well..

another good source as well.

Eric

[boneracin]

Does anyone know why you cant use the shackle flip kit for 73 and up on a 70 model?

Thanks

[argonaut]

Width of spring perches is 40" on the 70 and 42.5" on the 73+. But both ORD and DIY4X make shackle flips for "first gen" pickups.

[woodwright]

Originally Posted by argonaut

Width of spring perches is 40" on the 70 and 42.5" on the 73+. But both ORD and DIY4X make shackle flips for "first gen" pickups.

I'm not sure if that would matter. Since the shackle flip is basically just rear spring hangers and shackles. The frame on the 70 is narrower too. Give DIY4X a call. Super nice guy, he'll answer all your questions.

[argonaut]

The frames are the same width. The 73+ spring and shackle hangers will be to wide, unless you cut off and reposition the perches on your axle housing.

['63GENIII]

This is high on my list for the '63. Already have the 63" springs out of a '07 truck. Just need the hangers now. Would really like to try this swap soon. Going to call DIY4X and look into the 52" swap brakes for the front as well. Front body mounts are kind of rigged on. Would be nice to replace those with the set up that DIY makes.

[RedRoad]

Way back when there were no kits to do a shackle reversal I just used the front rear spring hanger and support and mounted it in the rear with grade 8 bolts. The hardware cost more than the mounts. I got the 4 inches of lift for about $25.

For the front I would get some EZ ride springs from SD spring they are the cheapest around and work better than the ranchos I used to run that are NLA

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....oducts_id=6337

free shipping and $20 off right now

['63GENIII]

RR, I like the ideas. Years ago I converted a 77 CCLB C30 Dually to 4x4. I used the hangers from a donor truck in much the same way. The biggest drag is to find a salvage yard around here these days that will let me pull the hangers off of a frame without taking the whole frame. Ive seen hangers online by Dorman, but I think they are made in China and Im not digging on the idea of using poorly made parts in such critical places (or anywhere for that matter).

[RedRoad]

I bought a set from the dealer for $40 each. 85 K30.

Boyce equipment also sold me a few when I converted a K5 to 40 inch one tons