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Lowering shackles - leveled stock suspension

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Old 07-08-2014 | 12:45 PM
04HemiGreg's Avatar
04HemiGreg
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Default Lowering shackles - leveled stock suspension

My ole RAM is now 99% my son's. I say 99% because my name is still on the title/registration and I still pay for the insurance and gas. The truck, the 2 12" subs under the back seat, the extra window tint, the plasti-dipped side mouldings, painted front grill, the x-pipe exhaust, and extra cranks on the torsion bolts are all his and, therefore, I do not drive it anymore.

I just can't relate to it, but I guess the "in" thing around these parts now is the reverse rake "lean" look. To accomplish that, he went and cranked up the front end. I'm not comfortable with that. When I leveled it, I used leveling keys and longer shocks in the front, so the extra cranking may not be quite as bad as it would be with stock shocks, but I still don't like it. If he insists on this look, I'd prefer to do it by lowering the rear end and not raising the front.

I've seen different make and size lowering shackles online but I'm not sure what works best on these trucks or what it takes to install them. Anyone have any recommendations/thoughts (other than "don't do it, it looks stupid")? I'm already in agreement with that sentiment, so we are on the same page.
 
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Old 07-08-2014 | 03:28 PM
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a few years ago.. I lowered my 04 Ram... front and rear...

depending on how much of a drop...

I did 2 inch front and 4 inch rear...so truck is level...

just replacing the shackles is a couple of tools and a good jack
a wrench and a TORX bit driver... as a standard wrench will not work on that side.
 
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Old 07-09-2014 | 03:18 PM
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Any brand shackles any better than another as long as it's year/make/model specific? Also, I've seen comments about removing an overload spring - do I need to do that and if so, how is that done?
 
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Old 07-09-2014 | 04:47 PM
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as far as I know. any brand is ok... try summit racing.. they have a good selection...

the overload spring.. if you remove it. the truck can not carry anything heavy...

but remove spring assembly.. a single bolt holds the stack together...
most likely the stack bolt will break... so a trip to the hardware store may be needed.

I did NOT remove the overload spring.. but with a 4 inch drop in the rear.

I needed the shackles and a FLIP spring kit.. to move the spring from over the axle to under the axle.. you must get the correct FLIP kit and shackle.. as a set....
 



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