Hey guys, I will probably install 2" shackles on my 2002 2WD stepside silverado tomorrow and I could use some tips. I was looking under the truck and there is almost no room on a stepside to do this. The bottom bolt on the stock shackle is easy enough but I dont see how I'm going to get that top bolt out. It doesnt look like its possible to push the leaf spring up enough to remove it. Whats the best way to do this on a stepside? I installed shackles for a friend on his fleetside truck and it was easy. I searched but didnt find enough detailed information for my liking. Would it be best to jack the bed up to gain some extra clearance? Any help is welcome. Thanks.

 

You could jack the bed up, but when I did shackles on mine, I loosened the ubolts holding the rear end to the leafs and then pulled the leaf towards the outside of the bed so it could go that little bit higher to get the bolt out.

 

I had to put a jack under the frame between the front and rear wheel on the side i was working on. Then put a jack under the axle. Jack the truck up on the side. Loosen all the bolts and jack the axle up until you feel the tension come off of the shackle bolts. To get the top bolt out you can either lift the bed off or what i did. I ground part of the bolt off flat with one of the sides. Then, i ground that lip that the leaf hits when its pushed up. These grinds gave me enough room to push the leaf up far enough to get the top bolt out. If you have any questions just ask.
Derek

 

It will not come out with out some kind of modification, at least mine wouldnt. I ended up using a torch to cut the head of the factory bolt then slid it out and replaced it. Good luck

 

I just loosen the leaf spring from the front hanger to pull the back side of the leaf outwards to pull the bolts out. You will also have to do unbolt the u-bolts from the axle. Probably only took maybe 30 minutes to do both sides.

 

Thats what I did, forgot about loosening the bolt holding the leaf to the hanger though.

 

dude, don't mean to hi-jack... but your screen name is the ****!!