Suspension problems need input from experts here...

[F-junker]

Currently running a heavily leaved BDS 4"lift. Rides hard, flex is poor, shackle angle is at about 90 deg. and I'm a bit unhappy with it. I bought a set of front OME 2.5" springs last year and have yet to mount them.

When I remounted the BDS springs during reassembly of the truck, my passenger side spring hanger was cockeyed due to the frame delaminating. I had to cut the rivets and reweld the hanger in place. I eye balled it as best as possible and noticed that the front shacle angle is NOT identical to the other. In order to get it right I'd have to cut into the frame rail, torch it and beat it in or eliminate it via a SHACKLE REVERSAL.

I've been leaning towards the shackle reversal for some time and have done a little bit of research here and there. I'm mainly concerned with good road manners and approach angles. I've seen several homemade versions and of course the MAF unit that hangs down quite a bit. I like the method of mounting a hole through the frame and using a large shackle here as this will eliminate the problem with mounting to a uneven frame.

I'm concerned about getting this right, I'd rather do it myself (all labor will be, but parts might be outsourced..) but am concerned over measurement issues and the end result with the 2.5" springs. I'd really like to see some good SR's done by members here and their advice. I want to try and stay with 3-4" of lift as I run 33's and 35's will come.

I do not want to go SOA up front. I'm not willing to take that one on for a while as steering and saginaw issues would arise. This is a low buck operation as I'm a recently laid off offshore oil employee and funds are limited for a little while.

Your advice and pics are greatly appreciated. I'm working on an engine issue and should be ready to do my mini-truck PS and front leaf springs within the next 2-3 months, maybe sooner if the cold packs it up sooner. thanks Ken

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

interesting stuff ------> https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-seri...-rock-finders.html?highlight=shackle+reversal

 

[F-junker]

It certainly seems as though this may be the solution to my problem. I'm going to be looking into profits kit for a buck fifty. I can deal with the approach angle that they have. It also seems that the lift issue with 2.5" ome springs is taken care of here. I should be close to the original goal of 4" lift. I'm not sure of the driveshaft angles and length though. Unchanged??? from standard SUA??

As far as the rear springs go. I'm going to pull a leaf and forget about it for a while.

 

[lcwizard]

[

I've been leaning towards the shackle reversal for some time and have done a little bit of research here and there. I'm mainly concerned with good road manners and approach angles. I've seen several homemade versions and of course the MAF unit that hangs down quite a bit. I like the method of mounting a hole through the frame and using a large shackle here as this will eliminate the problem with mounting to a uneven frame.

I'm concerned about getting this right, I'd rather do it myself (all labor will be, but parts might be outsourced..) but am concerned over measurement issues and the end result with the 2.5" springs. I'd really like to see some good SR's done by members here and their advice. I want to try and stay with 3-4" of lift as I run 33's and 35's will come.

I do not want to go SOA up front. I'm not willing to take that one on for a while as steering and saginaw issues would arise. This is a low buck operation as I'm a recently laid off offshore oil employee and funds are limited for a little while.


You'll find that the S/R reversal brackets for a sua don't hang any lower than the bottom of your current shackle, and because they're swept back, will be lass likely to contact the trail than your shackles.
Because of caster considerations the only way to significantly shorten the front s/r bracket would involve cutting and turning the knuckles. The MAF s/r
adds about 1 1/2" of ride height so coupled with your OME 2 1/2" springs you would be close to a 4" lift

 

[F-junker]

lcwizard- Thanks for the input, I agree on the perch verses shackle deal. I'm leaning away from the maf kit as the mounts look pretty thin and the rear shackle mount is to the frame bottom which is no good for me with the one frame rail that delaminated. I'm going to try and swing a profits kit soon.

With the weather that we're having, cold and wind, welding in the drive with my little mig isn't a good idea especially for deep penetrating welds! The garage is full of bikes so I'm lining all this stuff up for spring.