2" Belltech 6400 shackle install

[RedHeartbeat]

Well, just finished the install of the 2" Belltech drop shackle on the 07 LS 4.8L Classic Crew Cab C1500. Install time was under 30 minutes. Tools required, jack stands, floor jack and two 21mm wrenches. One wrench minimum, other can be a 21mm deep socket and ratchet.

Purchase price $36.95 Scoggins/Dickey
Shipping $7.75, ordered Sunday evening and arrived Tuesday
Tax $3.05
Grand total $47.75

Block front wheels for safety
Jack rear of truck up about 6" by jacking under the rear end housing
Place jack stands under frame and let the rear end down off the jack. Keep the jack just touching the pumpkin for tension.
Remove all four nuts holding the shackles on. Here's where the wrench comes in because the nuts are the self locking type.
Tap the bolts out of the lower shackle mounts. The rear end should be free now.
Jack the pumpkin up so that the top bolt is higher than the frame rails and tap the top bolts out.
Install new hanger with open side facing forward. Start by placing the bolts in the top mount/spring hole. Do both sides.
Lower the pumpkin and align the lower holes and install bolts. I had to spread the lower mount out a little to get the hangers to slide in without forcing them.
After the hangers are in place and all four bolts are installed put the nuts on loosely, jack vehicle up and remove the jackstands.
Place vehicle on the ground and loosely tighten all four nuts.
Before final tightening I like to drive the truck around the block and then come back and tighten to final torque spec.

Don't forget to re-adjust your headlights. A #15 torx does the trick. I'm starting out with two turns clockwise on the adjuster on the top/center of the headlight assembly and will finish adjusting tonight.


Before fender height at rear axle centerline 36-3/16"
After fender height at rear axle centerline 34-1/2"
1-11/16" final drop

Before height at bottom of rear bumper 20-1/8"
After height at bottom of rear bumper 18-3/8"
1-3/4" final drop

Before...
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...hackles001.jpg

After...
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...hackles003.jpg

[zeake]

Thanks for writing that up. I need to put mine on soon.

[SCIV]

Nice. Much better than the "stinkbug" stance.

Where is your 408???

[RedHeartbeat]

It's on the way here tomorrow.

[RedHeartbeat]

Anyone tried the PN 5952 3" lowering leaf springs? At $150 a pair it sounds like a bargain to me.

[SCIV]

Anyone tried the PN 5952 3" lowering leaf springs? At $150 a pair it sounds like a bargain to me.

I have the Belltech 3" drop leafs.

[RedHeartbeat]

I'm thinking they would have been a better choice than the shackles to level the truck out. It still seems to sit too high in the rear.

[bluecajun5.3]

yeah i know mine was like 3/4" higher after the shackle install

[Faze2183]

I have the Belltech 3" drop leafs.

how does it ride?

[SCIV]

how does it ride?

Nice. Squats well on lauch too...at least it did when it ran.