2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Velvet Ride Shackles??

[Mundgyver]

I was thinking about installing a set of Velvet Ride Shackles on my 2001 HO QC SB. The benefit of a smoother ride looks good. The lititure I saw says they make them for the truck. Problem is that while over at a friends house we put the truck up on his lift and examined the underside. How the heck are we suppose to get the bolts out when they look to go towards the frame. Some have holes in the frame and others don't.



Has anybody done this conversion/modification on a truck like mine?? Good idea or bad idea?? Looking for knowledge here. Thanks. -Wally-

 

[Doc Tinker]

I installed longer shackles on my truck, to lower the rear. It wasn't easy to get the bolts out and back in, but with some adjustments with the jack it is do-able.



Doc

 

[Barry]

I have never had a set on a Dodge but I have had 2 Fords with the kit and they are well worth the $$$. I think I remember my cost being somewhere in the $120 range direct from BFG.

 

[Posm]

The instructions that come with the kit are pretty good. If I remember right, you can get one bolt out and then you let the jack down a couple of inches and then the other bolt will slide between the bed and the frome.

 

['956Wheel]

I just put a set on my '95 a couple months ago. Easy to do, a good floor jack does the trick... be careful, you can get bit if you are not careful.



As for the ride, those little jarring bumps are softer now, the rear suspension is "progressive" with the velvet rides. They lowered the truck approx. 1". I towed with them and the ride is smoother. Bottom line IMO they are worth it.



BE CERTAIN THEY ARE THE RIGHT ONES... . the first set was packaged in the wrong box, too narrow and the holes were 9/16" rather than the needed 5/8" and doing any job twice SUX... IMO



Mike

 

[Mundgyver]

MIke,



You did'nt have any problems getting the bolts out??? The reason I have started this post was my concern about how these to together. I'm looking up under the truck at where they mount and I can't figure out how I would remove the bolts on the bottom. They slide towards the frame and there are no holes for them to move through?? That's what has me puzzled

 

[wcjp]

DC does the same thing with Jeeps. The Jeepers cut them off.

 

[Doc Tinker]

How it looks sitting on the ground, and how it looks with the trucked jacked up at the frame, not at the axle, are two different animals. Once you get it loose, you can figure out how to slide the bolts out. You'll need a set of jack stands that are tall enough to allow the rear tires to hang clear of the ground and then use the floor jack to adjust the suspension so the bolts will clear. I was cussing when I did mine, but I was able to do it alone while staying within my medical weight restrictions.



Doc

 

[MDW]

http://www.velvet-ride.com/leaf_spring_shackles_suspension_guide.asp

 

[clem]

Originally posted by Mundgyver

I was thinking about installing a set of Velvet Ride Shackles on my 2001 HO QC SB. The benefit of a smoother ride looks good. The lititure I saw says they make them for the truck. Problem is that while over at a friends house we put the truck up on his lift and examined the underside. How the heck are we suppose to get the bolts out when they look to go towards the frame. Some have holes in the frame and others don't.



Has anybody done this conversion/modification on a truck like mine?? Good idea or bad idea?? Looking for knowledge here. Thanks. -Wally-

I looked at rubber shakles and went to Mor/Ryde and now my 3500 rides great and for about 700$ they did all the work

 

[Doc Tinker]

I'll give the Mor/Ryde some thought when my springs are shot.



Doc

 

[clem]

Originally posted by Doc Tinker

I'll give the Mor/Ryde some thought when my springs are shot.



Doc

Mor/ryde does not replace the rear springs just the rear hanger

 

['956Wheel]

Maybe the Doc has the answer:



I noticed that the right side upper shackle bolt is rubbing on the frame, whats the cure? It doesn't look like its rubbing hard but it just is not right.



Ideas please.



TIA



Mike

 

[Doc Tinker]

Originally posted by clem

Mor/ryde does not replace the rear springs just the rear hanger

Hmmm - That's interesting... I figured since they replaced the springs AND hangers on the travel trailers that they would do the same on the pickups. The Mor/Ryde on school buses are a complete system too (no springs)



Doc





Edit: After looking at the Mor/Ryde web site, it appears the school bus suspension systems have changed to the Spring/Hanger system. I appears that the company has made a change in market focus. The Mor/Ryde system for school buses never seemed to be real popular. Air suspensions are the preferred school bus suspension now, so maybe that's why.

 

['956Wheel]

TTT



Mike