2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Thuren Fabrication rear shackle flip?

[JHansen]

Thought this would be a good thread to start here seeing as I see Don Thuren posting every so often and there are probably more people in the world than me that will be interested in it.



I saw on Thuren Fab's home page that Don will have a rear shackle flip kit for Dodges available in the next couple weeks or so. A long long time ago I remember seeing a thread about doing this on the 1st gen trucks to put the rear shackle in compression instead of in tension. The major benefit was shortening or eliminating the rear spring blocks. I assume this is a benefit of this kit as well? It would be nice to get rid of the blocks completely to cut axle wrap down.



Curious as to what the kit will be worth and when for sure it will be available-maybe a pic or two of it installed on a truck?



Thanks

Jason

 

[pwerwagn]

I have a shackle flip setup on my first gen. I love it. I built it myself. It places the shackles in compression, and I removed some of the block. I am fixing to do a complete new setup using 66" symmetrical chevy leaves (88-98 or so), along with longer shackles.



just by flipping the shackles on mine, I gained a noticeable amount of ride quality and suspension travel. It does sag a little more when towing though, since the shackle now forces the spring to elongate under pressure. not much difference though.

I also noticed slightly more "top heavy-ness", it seems to have a little more body roll.

--Jeff

 

[JHansen]

It was moons ago when I saw the 1st gen instructions-way before I even thought of getting a diesel. I had completely forgotten about it until I saw it on Thuren's homepage-then it popped back into my mind.



Thanks for the comments-I am thinking this combined with a new set of leaves can eliminate the rear blocks completely. I have the rear swaybar on my truck so the body roll shouldn't be an issue.



Jason

 

[EEland]

I have a 95 3500 that seems it could benefit from this kit as well. I walked out the front door and noticed a slight sag to the rear of the truck. I started to look it over and saw two humps in the bed of the truck under the bed mat. Yeah, those humps were the springs poking through. I at least need to look for replacement parts to get the truck back on the road, so if anyone has the pieces that connect the spring to the mounts on the frame please let me know.