johnathan
1/2 ton status
I will soon be upgrading to ORD front shackle hangers and shackles. Was thinking about moving just the rear hangers forward with my stock length springs and longer shackles for a better angle. Has anyone done this?
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Better front shackle angle
- Thread starter johnathan
- Start date
owenst7
1/2 ton status
Pretty sure that's what they were doing in the writeup on this site. A 52" spring with everything (except the front hanger) in stock location gives a pretty decent angle, so I'm guessing moving the shackle eye is mostly done with 46" springs.
Edit: nevermind I went and reread the 52" writeup. The angle really isn't that bad with 52"s and everything in stock location (except the front hanger). That said, I'd say you'd want to move the rear frame eye forward about 3" at least.
Seems like it would be a lot easier to at the moment run a longer shackle, and put 52"s or 56"s in later. Then you wouldn't have to fiddle with a hole hawg or trying to get both sides square with each-other.
Edit: nevermind I went and reread the 52" writeup. The angle really isn't that bad with 52"s and everything in stock location (except the front hanger). That said, I'd say you'd want to move the rear frame eye forward about 3" at least.
Seems like it would be a lot easier to at the moment run a longer shackle, and put 52"s or 56"s in later. Then you wouldn't have to fiddle with a hole hawg or trying to get both sides square with each-other.
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I did the 56 inch swap it was easy as pie. used DIY4x 7 inch shackles and moved the front spring hanger as far forward as possible most of the holes are allready in the frame. just need a bunch if grade 8 nuts and bolts and washers..
I did it to mine. Stock location on the front, 6" BDS 48s or whatever they are. Longer shackles, but can't remember how long they are. Being a shortbox, the truck doesn't ride that bad. Front is softer than the rear, and the rear is supposed to be soft rides. A big block probly helps in the front end department.
I'm not sure how it flexs, haven't really tried yet. Without trying, the 35s on 10" wheels, aboot 4" b/s or so, rubs on the fenders.
I'm not sure how it flexs, haven't really tried yet. Without trying, the 35s on 10" wheels, aboot 4" b/s or so, rubs on the fenders.
kitimatdude
1/2 ton status
I custom made my front bracket. I put ford 57" in the front and left the rear frame bracket stock with 7" shackles. The spring perch is offset on the ford 57s so I put the long side to the rear, it allowed me to move the front axle 6" forward. I took out a few leaves now its lowered 1-2" on 44s.... flexes like mad! I got 38" on a 104" wheel base.
johnathan
1/2 ton status
First off, thanks for the input. The 52'' springs can't be swapped in without going crossover due to axle relocation correct? I plan on a 60 one day then I'll be goin with crossover and longer springs. Just don't see the $ comin for a while. I was thinkin of movin the rear hanger forward with current springs because it seems like it would slightly help with droop,and they would be in the right location for 52'' inch springs in the future.
owenst7
1/2 ton status
There's no reason you can't leave the axle location stock with 52"s or 56"s. You just need to move the front eye forward 3" to keep the same position. My opinion of the stock steering/front suspension (since it has failed at inopportune time, leaving me in very inconvenient situations) is to leave the front with as little travel as possible. I'd leave the shackle stock no matter how you do things until you solve the steering issues. You could run 52/56s with the swaybar and make some cheap limit straps with cable for like $10 (probably what I'd do).
The reason I am so bitter with he stock steering is more than just the roll-steer that we all talk about. If you droop the drivers side much, it will pull on the steering arm in a akward way. If it pulls off, it's goin to shear off the studs in the knuckle (just about impossible to remove) and leave you with no steering. After replacing knuckles once, and then having it pop off again in a canyon and spending 8.5 hours getting out, almost rolling several times, I decided not to fiddle with the front suspension unless I solved the steering.
And by "too much droop" I mean none at all. My setup was 6 leaf lift springs with the stock awful shackle setup. My draglink was actually higher in the back slightly (to maximize droop). Even the worst setups for droop will wreak havoc on stock steering.
Just hope my experience can help. I'd recommend swapping the 52"s now and limit strapping it. Doing front suspension and the same time as steering and axle swaps is a pain and a lot of downtime (ask me how I know! I haven't move the blazer in months!)
The reason I am so bitter with he stock steering is more than just the roll-steer that we all talk about. If you droop the drivers side much, it will pull on the steering arm in a akward way. If it pulls off, it's goin to shear off the studs in the knuckle (just about impossible to remove) and leave you with no steering. After replacing knuckles once, and then having it pop off again in a canyon and spending 8.5 hours getting out, almost rolling several times, I decided not to fiddle with the front suspension unless I solved the steering.
And by "too much droop" I mean none at all. My setup was 6 leaf lift springs with the stock awful shackle setup. My draglink was actually higher in the back slightly (to maximize droop). Even the worst setups for droop will wreak havoc on stock steering.
Just hope my experience can help. I'd recommend swapping the 52"s now and limit strapping it. Doing front suspension and the same time as steering and axle swaps is a pain and a lot of downtime (ask me how I know! I haven't move the blazer in months!)
johnathan
1/2 ton status
Yeah I think I'll go ahead and get the longer springs under there. Thanks for the warning. Had no idea the steering arm could pull off of the knuckle like that.
owenst7
1/2 ton status
Yeah I think I'll go ahead and get the longer springs under there. Thanks for the warning. Had no idea the steering arm could pull off of the knuckle like that.
Neither did I until it happened lol. Hate to see others learn the hard way like I did
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