i have a question about installing drop shackles. i just bought some and tried putting them on yesterday but had no luck. Has anyone had an problems putting them on. any complication? i couldn't figure out how to get the bolt out of the top part of the stock shackle. it wont clear the frame rail. I think i have to lift up the bed.

need help
thanks

 

I am assuming your talking about a late model GM truck...Beltech web site has install sheets.
http://www.belltechcorp.com/tech/install.htm

 

first of all, do you have a hitch on there? If so it has to come off to install the shackles. Second of all, do it on a completely level surface, it makes the install 10x easier.

No you don't have to take the bed of, just the hitch. It should be an hour long install plus about 30 minutes for taking of the hitch(if applicable). I've done about 5 sets now and the last set took me 30 minutes with simple hand tools, and a floor jack.

 

I dont have a hitch. It on a 2001 Gmc sierra stepside bed

 

stepside bed is the problem, there's no room to work

 

I had to do this on my 05 stepside. I used a dremel with cutoff disks.
I know it looks like **** but there's not much room to work up in there.
I think i am going to buy some paint and spray it up around in there.

 

yea thats wat i was afraid of. Thats the part of the bed thats causing me all the problems. thats why i said i think im going to have to lift the bed up. Would it still have clearance if i dont cut that piece and just lift the bed up to get the shackles on.
Would that work. Because if that works i think i would rather do that than have to cut on the bed.

thanks for the pic
helps a lot

 

If you lift the bed up that would solve your problems..I should have thought of that. Let us know how it turns out.

 

I didnt have to modify anything to install shackles on my stepside. I basically took everything loose that holds the leaf spring in place, including the bolt at the front of the leaf spring and the u-bolts that hold the leaf spring to the axle tube. This lets you move things around to give yourself more room to remove/install the shackles. It isn't easy but it's possible.

 

You have to lift up the bed. Thats what they did to mine. Just loosen the bolts by the bumper and the bed lifts enough for the shackles to fit.