Spring Shackle Reverse Kit

[sle2115]

As if I don't have enough to do to my truck, I want to put a spring shackle reversal kit on it. I found two kits, one at Sky Manufacturing for $300 or so and one at ORU for $500 or so. The Sky Manufacturing said that it will fit 94-97 while the one at ORU says it will fit 86-97. What gives? I thought the suspension was the same up through 97. I've emailed Sky but haven't received anything back. Hope to call them in the next few days as well. The kits look the same, so I'd prefer to buy the $300 one of course.

Any suggestions?

 

[Goofyexponent]

AFAIK the suspension is all the same from 86 - 97. I read it a couple of times in different articles. I know for a fact that the 1993 front suspension is the same as a 1987. And I also know for a fact that 1995 suspension is the same as 1988 trucks.

 

[Pipeliner_86]

Scott, you can always fab your own
I did on my old '86 F350.
Here's some pics of what mine looked like, and there's some of me and my crew chief working on it from a few years back(2005). Wow Cole sure did grow up fast!

 

[sle2115]

Thought about that too Jeremy...

Finally got a response, but I also called and got the same response -

You have to plate in the inside of your frame, and then notch the bottom of it slightly as well. I'm not sure of how much exactly it takes as we have not done one ourselves in house.
Sky.

 

[memphisrain]

I know on the half tons, it has to do with the crumple zones on the front of the frames(which you have to box in, if you're doing a solid axle swap with leafs), but I'm not sure if the 3/4's and 1 ton's got crumple zones.

mR

 

[sle2115]

I know on the half tons, it has to do with the crumple zones on the front of the frames(which you have to box in, if you're doing a solid axle swap with leafs), but I'm not sure if the 3/4's and 1 ton's got crumple zones.

mR

In talking to them on the phone, the boxing in is to allow mounting of the brackets, then you have to notch it for spring eye clearance. I asked if they had instructions on doing this and he chuckled and said due to liability he couldn't provide it, but would help me along the way. Seemed like a very nice guy to deal with.

 

[zpd307]

i wish the rsk would not lift the truck. i dont want it any higher, just ride better...

 

[sle2115]

i wish the rsk would not lift the truck. i dont want it any higher, just ride better...

Same here, but I have an add-a-leaf on mine and it gave about the same amount of lift with a little harsher ride, so my plan is to remove it and I should have a really nice ride. I moved the rear axle back 9 inches and set it to match the front ride height wise (actually a little higher). So I'll be good to go I believe. The one thing I have noticed with the add-a-leaf that I don't like is when I put weight on the truck, the nose rises substantially more than without them. It's like there's a bunch of spring there and I'm not talking a lot of weight in the bed! Put a ton in it and the front gets substantially taller, makes the truck look like it's overloaded, but you can look at the springs (it has 11 spring leafs on the rear) and it has hardly moved.

 

[zpd307]

if i had the balls, i heard you could do it with all super duty stuff and it will keep it the same height or slightly lower.....

 

[65sixbanger]

Hey SLE2115, I have been looking to put an add-a leaf in the front. DId it raise it any? I am going to put more spaings in the back also.

 

[memphisrain]

Now I don't want to slam Sky Manufacturing, but I was looking at a buddies shackle reversal kit for the rear of our trucks from them, and was less than impressed with the welding on it. All of the welds looked a little cold to me and there was poor penetration.

Just my $0.02.

mR

 

[sle2115]

Hey SLE2115, I have been looking to put an add-a leaf in the front. DId it raise it any? I am going to put more spaings in the back also.

Yes, it raised it approximately 2 inches. That was with F350 springs that are already positive arched.

 

[junk]

I did the 2000 superduty swap. reverses the shackles with minimal lift. I can't say how it rides so far as I don't have anything else on the frame yet accept the axles. I read about it on TDS. A guy with a 96 or 97 did it on there. Not too bad to do. I did have to add material to the length of my frame since I used the 2000 springs. The 92 up trucks have the crumple zone on them, thus they end up with a slightly longer frame.

 

[zpd307]

junk, did you take pics.......? can you elaborate on what you used and how you did it.