shackle flip kit vs. rear spring - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

garthdader · 08-28-2005, 11:35 PM

I am sure I am not the only one here with lift blocks. I have a 6 in lift and I am contemplating on which way I want to go. Go with the 5 1/2 in springs from skyjacker, superlift etc., or I also rear about a shackle flip kit from ORD that is equal to 4 inches, then get a 2 in spring. If cost wasnt a factor, which would be a better in the long run? Since I am removing the blocks, am I going to have to worry about pinion angle or driveshaft length. It should be the same after i change it....right?

**JIMs70GMC** · 08-29-2005, 05:25 AM

Goto offroaddesign.com and read about what they say. Basically, your rotating the rear of the stock spring down, pivioting on the front of the rear spring so it tends to move the tire forward and the pinion up . on long wheel base trucks this is a problem and the axle would have to be degreed down w/ a shim or smaller lift block installed backwards to get the pinion angle inline. The shackle flip would be cheaper than buying new rear springs outright.

**special-K** · 08-29-2005, 08:01 AM

Are you looking for 6"s?The shackle-flips come in 2" and 4".You could use 2" flip/4" springs or visa-versa.The combination almost doubles the cost.I bought 6" springs because the truck I was lifting had a broken leaf on each side and figured the springs were pretty fatigued.I bought a complete f/r kit from TuffCountry.They supply a t-case drop.These can be purchased seperately.One another truck with good springs,I bought a 4" flip and 2" tapered blocks from ORD to get 6".Another option to avoid blocks would have been to use Add-a-leafs.This offers no angle compensation,though and I don`t think 2" blocks are a bad thing.There are traction bars for axle wrap and with no blocks there`s still wrap with leafs,big tires,and hp.

highrpm · 08-29-2005, 09:02 AM

Did you buy the Tuff county EZ rides or heavy duty springs and whats your opinion of the ride.

Musclerodz · 08-29-2005, 10:10 AM

If you want to maintain ride quality out back, go with the flip kit and a 2" block.

Mike

Prerunner1982 · 08-29-2005, 03:27 PM

it also depends on what you use the truck for, the rear flip will tend to give more flex.. not what you really want for a mud truck...

on a side note.. welcome musclerodz.. suprisingly enough i know where washington is...unfortunately..

Musclerodz · 08-29-2005, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prerunner1982

it also depends on what you use the truck for, the rear flip will tend to give more flex.. not what you really want for a mud truck...

on a side note.. welcome musclerodz.. suprisingly enough i know where washington is...unfortunately..

Is that good or bad?

For a DD I would go with the flip. If you are doing a lot of offroading, you might want something stiffer.

Mike

**special-K** · 08-29-2005, 10:09 PM

I got the EZ-Rides.They ride better than stock.I`m using Rancho 9000RSX adjustable shocks.I can set them soft for flex and smooth rides.Set on stiff,they handle weight very well.

garthdader · 08-29-2005, 11:12 PM

Thanks guys...lots of options. I am going to a kind of all purpose trail rig. somewhere in the middle of rock crawler and mudder.

SERE · 08-30-2005, 03:06 AM

I did the shackle flip on my 3/4 ton and got 5 1/2 inches of lift. I put 4 inch spring packs on the front. So, I had to take the factory 1 inch block out of the back to even it up. I am running 35's no problem. Did not notice any difference in the ride from the springs. Just more flex and some cushion from the bigger radials....Mine is LWB and I haven't had any pinion angle problems with the one piece drive shaft.

1972 · 08-30-2005, 02:08 PM

Check out the new shackle flip at http://diy4x.com/suspension.htm It's real beefy and you can easily make any length shackle you need out of flat stock so you can get rid of the cheesy factory shackles.

1969K10 · 08-31-2005, 08:05 AM

Thanks for the post guys!!! i've been debating what I want to do to level my truck out... the rear sits lower than the front... i'm still wondering about lengthening the rear shackles vs lift blocks... either way it'll be temparary, i've decided the truck needs about 4" of lift... then i'll go with shackle flip, and see what i need from there...

08-28-2005, 11:35 PM	#1
garthdader Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Atoka, Tn Posts: 64	shackle flip kit vs. rear spring I am sure I am not the only one here with lift blocks. I have a 6 in lift and I am contemplating on which way I want to go. Go with the 5 1/2 in springs from skyjacker, superlift etc., or I also rear about a shackle flip kit from ORD that is equal to 4 inches, then get a 2 in spring. If cost wasnt a factor, which would be a better in the long run? Since I am removing the blocks, am I going to have to worry about pinion angle or driveshaft length. It should be the same after i change it....right? __________________ 1971 Chevy 6" superlift 35" xterrains 350 VORTEC crate

08-29-2005, 05:25 AM	#2
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Goto offroaddesign.com and read about what they say. Basically, your rotating the rear of the stock spring down, pivioting on the front of the rear spring so it tends to move the tire forward and the pinion up . on long wheel base trucks this is a problem and the axle would have to be degreed down w/ a shim or smaller lift block installed backwards to get the pinion angle inline. The shackle flip would be cheaper than buying new rear springs outright. __________________ 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

08-29-2005, 08:01 AM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Are you looking for 6"s?The shackle-flips come in 2" and 4".You could use 2" flip/4" springs or visa-versa.The combination almost doubles the cost.I bought 6" springs because the truck I was lifting had a broken leaf on each side and figured the springs were pretty fatigued.I bought a complete f/r kit from TuffCountry.They supply a t-case drop.These can be purchased seperately.One another truck with good springs,I bought a 4" flip and 2" tapered blocks from ORD to get 6".Another option to avoid blocks would have been to use Add-a-leafs.This offers no angle compensation,though and I don`t think 2" blocks are a bad thing.There are traction bars for axle wrap and with no blocks there`s still wrap with leafs,big tires,and hp. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

08-29-2005, 09:02 AM	#4
highrpm Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Davidson, NC Posts: 269	Springs Did you buy the Tuff county EZ rides or heavy duty springs and whats your opinion of the ride.

08-29-2005, 10:10 AM	#5
Musclerodz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 2,364	If you want to maintain ride quality out back, go with the flip kit and a 2" block. Mike __________________ Mike Redpath

08-29-2005, 03:27 PM	#6
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	it also depends on what you use the truck for, the rear flip will tend to give more flex.. not what you really want for a mud truck... on a side note.. welcome musclerodz.. suprisingly enough i know where washington is...unfortunately.. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

08-29-2005, 10:09 PM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	I got the EZ-Rides.They ride better than stock.I`m using Rancho 9000RSX adjustable shocks.I can set them soft for flex and smooth rides.Set on stiff,they handle weight very well. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

08-29-2005, 11:12 PM	#9
garthdader Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Atoka, Tn Posts: 64	Thanks guys...lots of options. I am going to a kind of all purpose trail rig. somewhere in the middle of rock crawler and mudder. __________________ 1971 Chevy 6" superlift 35" xterrains 350 VORTEC crate

08-30-2005, 03:06 AM	#10
SERE "AIRBORNE" Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 60	ORD flip I did the shackle flip on my 3/4 ton and got 5 1/2 inches of lift. I put 4 inch spring packs on the front. So, I had to take the factory 1 inch block out of the back to even it up. I am running 35's no problem. Did not notice any difference in the ride from the springs. Just more flex and some cushion from the bigger radials....Mine is LWB and I haven't had any pinion angle problems with the one piece drive shaft. Attached Images __________________ 69 GMC 2500 4X4 long stepside 454 BB

08-30-2005, 02:08 PM	#11
1972 Majician Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: In the Middle Posts: 329	Check out the new shackle flip at http://diy4x.com/suspension.htm It's real beefy and you can easily make any length shackle you need out of flat stock so you can get rid of the cheesy factory shackles.

08-31-2005, 08:05 AM	#12
1969K10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Clarks Hill, Indiana Posts: 733	Thanks for the post guys!!! i've been debating what I want to do to level my truck out... the rear sits lower than the front... i'm still wondering about lengthening the rear shackles vs lift blocks... either way it'll be temparary, i've decided the truck needs about 4" of lift... then i'll go with shackle flip, and see what i need from there... __________________ 1969 K10 - V8, 465, 205, 12 bolt, D44 2002-current 1969 K20 - V8, 465, 221, Eaton, D44 2012-current Nothin' but drums on all 4 corners! past horses in the stable 72 C10-short step (97-02), 68 C10-long fleet (06-12)



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