Hi gang,

I've decided off the other thread that I'm going to be keeping my silverado SS rims but with that in mind I was considering installing some drop shackles. First of all I have a few questions.

1. Will this change my pinion angle at all?
2. Will this affect my ride?
3. Will this weaken my ability to carry a heavy load?
4. Who makes the best ones?
5. How hard are they to install?
6. Can anyone share pics of theirs with the rest of the group?

I don't want to drop the front of the truck at all but with those tall tires in the back I was thinking about lowering the back end to make the tires tuck a little nicer. Thanks again guys and keep up the great work and information you all provide in these truck forums.

 

Had them on my old truck, '97

1. Yep, you can get shims to fix it though

2. Yeah, without shims you can get axle wrap, it also might be alittle stiffer ride depending on what shocks you get

3. Nope, aslong as you keep all your springs

4. Mine were belltech

5. I had a buddy of mine install my 2/5 drop, can't remember if the stock shackles were bolted on or welded. New ones just bolted in, you may need a grinder and a drill.

6. All I got of my old truck is a shitty poloriod scan

I had tall tires on the back of mine and it looked pretty good. 255/50/17 in the front and 275/60/17 in the back.

 

Is it going to change my pinion angle enough that it's going to cause premature u-joint failure? I don't want to stick more than $40 into doing this 2 inch drop in the back. I was trying to fine some underbody pics of the shackles installed other places on the internet but I'm not having any luck. I just want to be sure the quality of aftermarket stuff is as strong as factory. Also looks like some come with greaseable zerks.

 

Yes, you may need pinion shims. Some guys don't have to use them, but some do. It won't weaken the ability to carry a heavy load, but it will squat more in the rear when loaded. All the shackles are pretty close in design. Just make sure you get the kind with grease zerks. You won't need any special tools to change them either. Just about an hour of your time and your done.

 

I can see it now....... A whole 'nother can of worms ready to be opened. The next thread I'll be writing after installing shackles is, "Why does my truck shake so bad at highway speeds?" Then it'll be "how do I properly setup pinion angle?" I was hoping that the shackles would just be a bolt on and go deal. If you think about it,(from a suspension geometry point of view) isn't it just like driving around with a heavy load in the back all the time? All I'm doing isdropping the back of the chassis 2 inches closer to the axle. Which in turn I suppose makes the trans come down in the back too. But how many degrees is the question? Will it come down enough to make a difference?

Joe

 

I have the Belltech shackles on mine and it runs smoother than with the factory shackles. I didn't shim it or anything and actually have a smoother ride with no shakes or vibration. I have about 3 friends that have done it with no shims and theirs turned out the same way.

 

I like my BellTechs as they have a stock like rubber bushing that WON'T squeak like the urathane ones.

LK

 

Now that's what I like to hear As far as installing shackles, it looks to be pretty straight forward. How long did it take you guys to install them on your trucks? Also, any handling improvements?

 

If you have the factory hitch it can be a pain in the ***, but otherwise it takes about half an hour tops. My truck feels like it handles better most of the time but I just got a locking differential too so that may be helping me a little. There is less body roll with the shackles though, and it looks pretty pimp as well.

 

My truck didn't come with a factory hitch but I installed one for when I go fishing. I don't think it should interfere though. I found some on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

Would anyone buy these or would I just be better off paying $50 for a set of belltechs? If I don't like 'em I suppose I can always take 'em off and put the factory ones back on. I don't need to grind any rivets or anything for the shackle install, do I?