Longer Shackles

[Sleeperc10]

Good evening everyone, I was on Diy4x on noticed they had longer shackles for sale. Ive been wanting to lift my truck more and wondered if i could use shackles to lift it? They have 4.5in, 6in, and 7.25in long shackles. what kind of lift would that give me on a 1971 k10 longbed? Also would a flip shackle kit in the back give more lift?

[dieseldawg142]

yes, a shackle flip will give you 4". longer shackles only give you half the advertised height. your only swinging one end of the spring down

[ryanroo]

longer shackles in the front is a touchy way to get lift. it can alter the caster in such a way that the truck becomes undrivable if you extend them to far. depending on your caster as it sits, i imaging you could handle a little bit longer shackle, but conservative wins the day in that regard. you need to maintain 5-6 degrees of positive caster on a dana 44 and 3-4 on a dana 60

[Mike C]

And longer shackles in the back LOWER the truck if you don't do a flip. IMHO, the only way to lift correctly is to buy a set of springs that are the height you want. But a solution that can get you an 1" and even relocate your axles to center them in the wheel well (especially the rear) is a 1" zero rate add-a-leaf. It is added to your spring pack with a longer center pin bolt but is only lift block size so doesn't change the effective spring rate. And they usually have multiple holes in them to move the axle 1/2" to 1" forwards or backwards depending on the direction you install it or centered like stock.

[tommartin]

just wondering, if you do a shackle flip kit in the back, im guessing you need some type of shim to adjust the pitch of the diff?

I have a 4" block on my truck and was thinking of switching over to a 4" shackle....

[Mike C]

Maybe and maybe not. The tapered lift block angles the nose of the pinion up about the same amount that the flip kit changes the spring angle. Some trucks might have driveshaft issues while others won't. I went to a double Cardan CV shaft on the back of mine. I have 4" lift springs and welded my perches on to where they needed to be.

[mcmlxix]

How long are the factory front shackles on a 71/72?

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by mcmlxix

How long are the factory front shackles on a 71/72?

Help... Anyone?

[ryanroo]

bolt to bolt, not much. 4 inches or so would be my guess.

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by ryanroo

bolt to bolt, not much. 4 inches or so would be my guess.

I'm replacing the stock ones with some 3/8 material, but I dont have the originals... I need an accurate measurement.... please.....

[kwmech]

I just measured a factory shackle and came in at 5-3/4'' overall and a 4'' hole center (7/16), but my tape measure seems to be off by .030. , but bear in mind that if you want a 1'' lift you need a 2'' longer shackle. Some smart guy years ago said something about actions being opposite or something like that

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by kwmech

I just measured a factory shackle and came in at 5-3/4'' overall and a 4'' hole center (7/16), but my tape measure seems to be off by .030. , but bear in mind that if you want a 1'' lift you need a 2'' longer shackle. Some smart guy years ago said something about actions being opposite or something like that

Thanks..
I dont need to lift it via shackles and I dont want to cause a caster issue... just replacing old parts...

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by Mike C

And longer shackles in the back LOWER the truck if you don't do a flip. IMHO, the only way to lift correctly is to buy a set of springs that are the height you want. But a solution that can get you an 1" and even relocate your axles to center them in the wheel well (especially the rear) is a 1" zero rate add-a-leaf. It is added to your spring pack with a longer center pin bolt but is only lift block size so doesn't change the effective spring rate. And they usually have multiple holes in them to move the axle 1/2" to 1" forwards or backwards depending on the direction you install it or centered like stock.

Don't mean to hijack, but have you used 1" zero rates? Do you have to change driveshaft, or does it not move it that much? When would you need to relocate the rear axle? Is it with a big lift?