Okay so I have a 2013 ECSB sierra with the 5.3, 2wd, & trailer package. I come from the world of off-road racing so bare with me here. I bought this truck brand new off the dealer floor. Sticker was $47,000 (although I paid less due to a GM family discount), so I would prefer not to mess with the ride too and I drive about 50 miles each way to work each day in Southern California traffic .
I bought the Belltech 2-3" drop shackles for the back. I researched how to install and was pissed to find out I have to take a rotto-zip to my brand new truck. I realize its just the bed but it still hurts to cut up a BRAND NEW truck.
So instead of doing that, i just pulled the blocks and wanted to try it out. I can tell that the rear rides a little rougher due to the shock being more compressed in its stroke. Because of this, I am going to put the blocks back in and install the shackles.
1) What did you guys torque your bolts to? Repair manual (I think its Haynes) says 70 lb/ft. When I test fitting the shackles, 70 lb/ft would not allow the shackle to move at all. I don’t want to loosen it up though…For obvious reasons. Any thoughts? I am a structural engineer by profession so I know more times than not, too tight is WAY worse than too loose.
2) When I put the Belltech shackles in an tightened the nut down, it seemed like the leaf spring side of the shackle was too wide and was bending in when torqued. Maybe I am just being too **** about this because I deal with much smaller tolerances on a daily basis, but I just want to make sure that I am not crazy here. I believe my shackles are the 6401's?


On a side note - Has anyone heard of performancetruck deleting your account? I used to come on here ALL the time about 2 years ago and had TONS of posts, pics, etc. Now I have no avatar and only 2 posts...wtf. My login still worked but nothing else is showing up.

 

90 views and not one reply...? damn. thats rough.

 

The shackles will still put your shocks slightly out of range too...

I think as long as its torqued to spec it should be fine, you may not be able to move it by hand but the weight of the truck will.

I've never heard of cutting the bed to install shackles have you installed them yet? per belltech's install instructions for that pn: http://www.belltech.com/extras/docs/BBGC/6401.pdf they only mention cutting for the Ford application.

As for the bending of the shackle, it may just be for easier install, so you don't have to beat the spring into the shackle? It's been a while since I've installed shackles.

 

I have an 07 NNBS and I did the rear block removal/3" shackle kit and the belltech front lowering struts. Love the stance.

When I did the rear, I didnt have to cut anything. I can see where people say they had to but I am telling you that it works anyways. I did my rear with hand tools on a Sunday afternoon and used brand new U-bolts and torqued them to 70 ft pounds then took a drive and torqued them to 75 then trimmed bolts.

I also use the Belltech rear shocks. Not the best shock in my opinion but it does well enough I suppose.

I think the reason people say they cut that little lip for the shackle is they think they need more room to get the shackle in but If I remember correct, i put the top bolt in first, then the bottom and it just lined up and I torqued away.

 

do you by chance remember what you torqued to? I know this is trivial and repetitive by it matters. Thanks guys.

 

Per AllData 70ft-lbs is correct.

 

No cutting needed. Loosen the bed bolts and the bed will lift up enough to get the shackles swapped.

 

I put a link to a write up in my DIY post from 2012... Perfect with tips and all, and anything I learned along the way.

https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...gmt900-483264/