Front Shackel Lift - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bringit · 06-08-2005, 07:15 AM

What are the downside to lifting the front of your truck this way? Besides front drive shaft angle, is there another reason I wouldnt want to use shackels, like wandering. My dads truck was lifted like this and wandered all over the place but we thought it was the stearing box that was causing it. I just want some tire clearence for right now and will replace them in the near future for springs.

**JIMs70GMC** · 06-08-2005, 07:29 AM

It cancels out the caster and points the pinion towards the ground. Better off adding an add-a-leaf to the spring pack.
Off Road desing sell slightly longer shackles that provide 1/4" of lift, 1/2" longer than stock. Theirs are more to keep the spring eye from hitting the frame during flex with aftermarket springs.

bringit · 06-08-2005, 01:39 PM

What do you mean by cancels out the caster?

**JIMs70GMC** · 06-08-2005, 08:10 PM

Caster is what centers the wheels when you let go of the steering wheel, you'll notice the ball joints are not over top of each other, front to back. Or you know when you are sitting still and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock the front raise up on either end, that's the caster. When you rotate the axle with longer shackles in the rear it cancels out that caster, that's why the truck would wander.

*1FaastC10* · 06-08-2005, 08:50 PM

actually it should increase the caster, laying top of the balljoints/kingpins toward the rear of the truck. this too cause poor handling, as the truck would become very darty under slight steering movement. pinion angle is a very big concern as well. 1310 u joints dont like very much angle.

bringit · 06-09-2005, 07:29 AM

Wandering is the main thing I want to avoid so I guess I will not do the shackels and just get springs.

06-08-2005, 07:15 AM	#1
bringit Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma Posts: 105	Front Shackel Lift What are the downside to lifting the front of your truck this way? Besides front drive shaft angle, is there another reason I wouldnt want to use shackels, like wandering. My dads truck was lifted like this and wandered all over the place but we thought it was the stearing box that was causing it. I just want some tire clearence for right now and will replace them in the near future for springs. __________________ 85 chevy K10 350 crate, headman headers, street avenger carb, accel distrib , rebuilt 700r4, on 33" Super Swamper TSL's, 4 inch Pro Comp lift, shocks, and steel braided brake lines.

06-08-2005, 07:29 AM	#2
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	It cancels out the caster and points the pinion towards the ground. Better off adding an add-a-leaf to the spring pack. Off Road desing sell slightly longer shackles that provide 1/4" of lift, 1/2" longer than stock. Theirs are more to keep the spring eye from hitting the frame during flex with aftermarket springs. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm Last edited by JIMs70GMC; 06-08-2005 at 07:33 AM.

06-08-2005, 01:39 PM	#3
bringit Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma Posts: 105	What do you mean by cancels out the caster? __________________ 85 chevy K10 350 crate, headman headers, street avenger carb, accel distrib , rebuilt 700r4, on 33" Super Swamper TSL's, 4 inch Pro Comp lift, shocks, and steel braided brake lines.

06-08-2005, 08:10 PM	#4
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Caster is what centers the wheels when you let go of the steering wheel, you'll notice the ball joints are not over top of each other, front to back. Or you know when you are sitting still and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock the front raise up on either end, that's the caster. When you rotate the axle with longer shackles in the rear it cancels out that caster, that's why the truck would wander. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

06-09-2005, 07:29 AM	#6
bringit Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma Posts: 105	Wandering is the main thing I want to avoid so I guess I will not do the shackels and just get springs. __________________ 85 chevy K10 350 crate, headman headers, street avenger carb, accel distrib , rebuilt 700r4, on 33" Super Swamper TSL's, 4 inch Pro Comp lift, shocks, and steel braided brake lines.

06-08-2005, 08:50 PM	#5
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,400	actually it should increase the caster, laying top of the balljoints/kingpins toward the rear of the truck. this too cause poor handling, as the truck would become very darty under slight steering movement. pinion angle is a very big concern as well. 1310 u joints dont like very much angle.



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