I recently bought a '98 Ram 1500 (4x4, 318, auto) from a friend. One of the leaf spring shackles is rusted all the way through; there is next to no material remaining. I'm honestly not sure how it's still holding together.

Here's the problem: replacements don't seem to be available any longer. Rockauto has no listing, can't find them on any website (only drop shackles which I don't want). My brother works at a local parts store and told me they were discontinued several months ago and can't even be ordered in, something I've been told by Autozone and everywhere else I've looked as well. Apparently everyone decided to stop manufacturing an extremely critical suspension component that is known for being failure prone...WTF.

Does anybody have have any clue where the crap I can find one at before the the thing snaps? J-yard isn't really a good option here in Rustville, as the chances of finding a usable one are slim to none.

 

Unfortunatly JY is probably your best bet. Could also check ebay, or look at craigs list for a truck part out.

There this as well.

 

JY would be my absolute last resort, especially around here. Dodges don't last very long here before they rot away. I need doors, rockers, and some patches on the bed, and my truck has less rust than 90% of the Rams I see.

I'll see about that part-out, but the leaf springs were sold, so the shackles mnay have gone with. Hope not.

 

FOUND ONE!
Took some google-fu and I had to run across town to where the truck is parked to double check the measurements, but this one seems to fit the bill:



It's tempting to grab two, just in case, but my other one is in great shape, was obviously replaced relatively recently, so I'm just going to clean it up and Rust-o-leum the bejeezus out of it.

 

you do realize they can be had at the dealer right? should be around, or under 50 bucks.

 

I thought about it, but I had been told second hand that the local dealer couldn't get them either.

Can't stress enough how badly I HATE the local dealer and all their coked out employees. Can't tell you how many times they've ordered me the wrong part after I point to the damn thing on the diagram. Place is so bad Mitsu pulled out of there completely and Chrysler has threatened to pull their license several times over the last couple years.

 

http://www.donovancompany.com/

 

I believe LMC sells them as well.

 

If you have a chop saw & grinder you can do what I did and get the new universal (lowering shackles) a pair from Autozone for $35 both included. I chopped off the excess tops of the shackles (used for lowering in the kit) and left the stock height of my truck intact since there were bolt hole options at our stock dodge height. Was cheap & brand new and I got both for $35.

 

Well damn, that's a great idea. Wish I had thought of that or you had chimed in before I spent $40 on one shackle lol.

Great idea tho, I'll keep that in mind for when the other one eventually rusts out (it's totally solid now)