rear shackle/leaf spring issue

[Low_Life86]

ok i just posted about this but i wanted to see if there was anyone else who could give me a hand here. i removed my old leaf springs got new and identical ones but when i took the old ones out the shackles were under a lot of pressure and instead of being on an angle they shot up to almost verticle so now it looks like my leafs are to short when i pry on the shackle it moves the leaf foreword but im still a tad short anyone got an idea of what it could be. heres some pics

[northeimcustom]

sounds like the shackle needs to be loosened up a bit. my bolts in my shackles were seized tight! the 3lb mini sledge wouldnt budge them, but the grinder did. keep prying if your 100% sure the leafs are the same length!

[Low_Life86]

ya i might end up cutting the bolt off

[Daveyboy1983]

Cut the bolt off and save yourself the headache better to use fresh hardware anyway and avoid the suspension binding up possibly and so it has full mobility
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[Low_Life86]

ya i think i will

[88Jimmy4x4]

is the leaf bolted to the axle in those pics?
bolt the leafs to mounts then jack up axle to leaf, also never tighten shackle until truck is on ground with wheels/tires under full load and then don't overtighten, remember that's a moving part

[Low_Life86]

No the axel isn't attached
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[88Jimmy4x4]

Loosen the shackle bolt then, it should pivot freely
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[LynnJr]

Originally Posted by 88Jimmy4x4

Loosen the shackle bolt then, it should pivot freely
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X2
Loosen up the shackle bolts so it can move fore and aft freely then put the bolt in the front shackle.

[bikeman59]

Originally Posted by 88Jimmy4x4

is the leaf bolted to the axle in those pics?
bolt the leafs to mounts then jack up axle to leaf, also never tighten shackle until truck is on ground with wheels/tires under full load and then don't overtighten, remember that's a moving part

So, I just did a flip kit on my '80 SWB this weekend and ran into the exact same problem. I ended up attaching the rear ends of the springs to the shackles, then attached the axel to the springs, then connected the front end of the springs to their front mounts. It took 2 of us to persuade the springs to move forward far enough to reach their perch, but we finally got it. May not have been the most sophisticated way of doing it, but it got the job done.

One thing I didn't do is what you mentioned Jimmy (I always learn so much on this site). So, now that the truck is back on the floor, should I loosen/re-tighten the shackle bolts? I didn't touch the lower shackle bolts, so they should still be ok.

[88Jimmy4x4]

I always leave mine loose then jump up down in bed or bumper then tighten lol
Don't over tighten remember that's a moving part
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[bikeman59]

Originally Posted by 88Jimmy4x4

I always leave mine loose then jump up down in bed or bumper then tighten lol
Don't over tighten remember that's a moving part
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Great advice - thank you.