Shackle Flip or Spring Lift?

[SAVAGE1]

Other than maintaining a stock ride, what advantages does the shackle flip have over a rear lift spring. It seems that both would prevent axle wrap by not using blocks. Which one's better? Also what is the best way to get 6 inches of lift in the back using the 4" flip. (4" flip + 2" spring or block?). Stephen, why not make a 6" shackle flip?

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[Stephen]

The biggest advantage with the flip kit is that it's a few inches (depending on version) of lift without having the block or extra spring arch. This lets you use a shorter arch spring for better flexibility. We've ramped a 6" lifted shortbed with 6" springs, then took them off and did a flip with a 2" spring and got a little over a 30% difference. This is what we recommend for a 6" lift. In a heavier truck like a K5 or Sub, you may even want to use a 3" or 4" lift spring to keep the ride height up in the rear.
There may be a wrap difference between the springs and the flip kit, but it's not much, so we pretty much consider them equal.
Reason for not having a 6" flip, the tail of the spring would end up pretty low, probably low enough to create ground clearance problems. Also, you start really changing the axle motion when you drop the spring that much more in the rear, so you would have some cornering quirks that would be undesirable. Remember that to get another 2" of lift you would have to drop the tail of the spring 4 inches. Your pinion angle would be pretty bad too.

SW-ORD

 

[SAVAGE1]

Thanks Stephen. It looks like I'll be going with the 4" flip/ 3" spring combo for the rear. Expect an order from me pretty soon. Thanks for clearing up al my ?'s. Like stated in another post, <font color=red>"YOU ARE THE MAN!!!"</font color=red>

Rod

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