Dropped the rear ... (HOW TO INSTALL REAR SPRING SHACKLES)

[retorq]

OK for anyone that hasn't done this before I figured I would snap a few pics and do a lil write up. The shackles I got were from Summit, they were Summit brand but they are really "Ground Force" pieces. They come with poly bushings that slide together with some grease and a hammer, no press in bushings:

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Pretty beefy parts actually, there are two holes I think one is a 2 inch drop, one is 2 1/2 ... I went with the top hole for the most drop.

If anyone doesn't recall here's the last full body shot:
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1. Jack the truck up from the rear end enough to place some jack stands under the frame. This was actually the hardest part for me, big truck + std jack stands = no fun. Finding mounting points under the front end was much easier. I ended up putting them right around the front spring eye area:

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2. Let the jack down almost all the way. I know it's hard to see here but the tires are just barely off the ground.

3. Remove the bottom shock bolts. If you are swapping shocks you mind as well pull them now. The reason for pulling the bottom is cause later when you jack up the rear end you want it to go smoothly straight up.

4. Loosen and unbolt the shackles from the hanger, loosen and unbolt the hangers from the spring eyes. You'll need a 3/4 wrench and socket. The longer the ratchet you have the easier this will be. Take a mental note of the orientation of the mounting hardware.

5. Once the shackles are out slowly raise the rear end to make enough room for the shackles. I know this seems counter intuitive but the rear spring eye mounts ABOVE the hanger so you need more space here, not less. Lots of cars are the opposite, longer shackles there = raised rear end. Pic of the two side by side:

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6. Bolt everything back together LOOSELY. If you go and torque everything together while the rear end is under full drop you WILL bind up when lowered down so don't do that. Remember to put the bolts back in the right orientation ... it's actually not vital that you do this but it might make it easier on you later on. And I have OCD and everything needs to match ...

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You want the bolts a lil tighter then this, I left them about 2 full threads short of fully tight.

7. Bolt up the shocks.

8. Jack up, remove the jackstands and lower the vehicle to the ground. Jump up and down on the rear bumper a bit, make sure it's all working. then torque bolts down.

9. Stand back and admire your handy work. If all goes right you can do this in under an hour:

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[Jon]

Hmm...

I figgerred you'd be raising it up.. throwing some big fat M.T's on it and havin yerself a good time.

Sadly, I was mistaken

[retorq]

Nope, 2WD. It does have 31 x 10 1/2 all terrain tires though. Does that count??

[Jimmyguy_350]

I see you lowered it but will that help you catch up to me?

[retorq]

Nope. The Vortecs in the garage with beehive springs will.