leaf spring shackle placment.

IDIoit

MachinistFabricator
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2014
Posts
13,318
Reaction score
3,879
Location
commiefornia
what exactly determins where the shackle should be placed on the front leaf springs?

im building a 4000 pound rig, using 89 ford front 4" lift springs.

a set of d-60's front and rear

7.3 PSD and a ZF5.

IMO it just does not seem right putting shackles on the front,

but then again, im new in the 4x world
 

snicklas

6.0 and Loving It!!
Staff member
Joined
Aug 7, 2006
Posts
6,164
Reaction score
2,342
Location
Greenfield, Indiana
They can go on either end, as evident in all the IDI era trucks, the shackle was in the front. It works, but gives a much harsher ride, as the axle is trying to move forward as the spring compresses, opposite of the direction of travel. In the 99+ SuperDuties the shackle is in the rear, hince the better ride. Several guys have used the reverse shackle kits on the older trucks to help the ride, and it also provides some lift.

So to answer your question, sorta, is it doesn't matter. But for a better ride, put them in the back. Since you are going all custom on this one, on the Manchero I expect, you could make a setup that way.
 

IDIoit

MachinistFabricator
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2014
Posts
13,318
Reaction score
3,879
Location
commiefornia
yes sir, on the MANchero.
i will be putting them on the rear of the leaf.
thanks for the input!
i still dont have the axles striped off the 89 donar truck, and its looking like its going to be wet
th next few days. so i loaded up the 87 F350 in the shop to swap the t-19 out.
hopefully by the end of the month i will beable to do some work!!!
alot of fab work needed!

while im here.
what are your thoughts of the rear springs?
they are stock 89 ford springs.
the front springs are a 4" lift spring.
i can use drop hangers from the frame and make up the difference
of the lift block thats used for the 4" lift (rear) but i dont know how it will look with the different arches.
(i hate lift blocks)
should i get new rear springs?
 
Top