2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Shackle flip?

[CRSmith]

I've got a 2001. 5 Dodge 2500. I just put a 2" Tough Country spacer kit on the

front, and want to lift the back about an inch without addnl. blocks or AAL. I'm

thinking do a shackle flip and remove the factory block, or at least cut the block

down to a little teeny block with the bumpstop thing still sticking off. Less axle

wrap, same spring rate, and free. I know HOW to do this, but I'm wondering if

anyone else has already done it on a 2nd Gen Ram. Are there any downsides? Bad

ride? Pinion pointed too far up?

 

[Rman]

My only concern would be with pinion angle. If you tow very much, the benefits of less axle wrap with the same spring rate would be outweighed by burning up pinion bearings. The pinion is lubed by the gear oil, and if it's stickin up too far, well you can see the problem. I have a landcruiser that has a very high pinion angle, but it's primarily off road anyway so it's no big deal.



I still don't think the block is too tall, you probably won't have much of a problem if you decide to take it down. Good luck!

 

[CRSmith]

I can save my stock pinion angle by just cutting the block at an angle. Maybe I'll try it.

 

[Rman]

that's a good idea, would you have to replace your u bolts? or are the threads cut long enough on the stock ones? Longer leaf springs could always be an option as well, albeit not near as cheap.

 

[CRSmith]

Good point about the ubolts. I'll have to check them. The only other things I would worry about would be exhaust clearance and a crappy ride from a zero degree shackle angle.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I'd be wary about a shackle flip on a heavy truck like ours especially if you do much hauling or towing. The shackles as they are on the truck now are loaded in tension. By flipping them they would be under compression. Metal is much stronger in tension than compression. I'm not sure the stock shackles would be strong enough flipped with the load we sometimes put on em. If I wanted to raise the rear I'd get rid of the blocks completely and get a new set of springs - JMHO

 

[San Felipe Bob]

New Spring's!

I just had National spring bend up a set of leaves for the rear of my truck and all I can say is WOW why did I wait so long!



The ride is unbelievably smooth !

They made the spring's up custom for the weight of my truck.

The blocks were eliminated and we added 4"of lift.

These bad boys are 10 leaf units of plushness.

I no longer have the flat overload leaf on the bottom of the spring pack and do not need it.

I loaded the truck down with 2 motorcycles , a jet ski, camper,and camping gear for a 3 day weekend in Baja. (no trailer)

The spring's set only 1 1/2 " from all the weight.

I will probably remove the helper bags that I installed to keep the stock spring's alive. I need to hook up to the trailer first.





SFB

 

[y-knot]

If you are already worried about a "crappy" ride from zero shackle angle, the uncertainty and accuracy of cutting the blocks on an angle, and the expense of longer u-bolts, Why not just do it right, and get new spring, christ they are not that expensive. You don't have to re-invent the wheel, just use good judgment and get what is needed. If you only need about an inch, take the block that is used to separate the main leaf springs from the overloads. It is about an inch, and should be very easy to find. Also if you are going to try and correct the pinion angle, get the darn shims, they are less then 10 bucks.

 

[CRSmith]

Well, I broke out the angle grinder w/ the cutting wheel last night. As I sat there with the grinder whirring away, I just couldn't muster the will power to cut the bottom out of the stock shackle hanger. So, maybe I'll try it after the truck is older.



For some reason cutting up suspension parts on my '01 Dodge is much harder than cutting up my '84 4runner. Go figure.