What did they do to this suspension?

[zero2nils]

I’m looking at this 60 that has a suspension that has had several modifications. Looks like a shackle reversals, and u-bolt flip, some lift …

Aside from the rust — what concerns would you have about this setup?

 

[OSS]

Guaranteed it will have a super stiff and jarring ride. Not highway friendly

 

[zero2nils]

Guaranteed it will have a super stiff and jarring ride. Not highway friendly

Thanks - I noticed that the shackles are almost vertical …

 

[Devils Paw 80]

The steering geometry could be off due to the lift and shackle reversal. This could cause poor/unsafe handling.

 

[Mark W]

Nasty SR kit. Rip that s*** out and put it back to OEM. Or at least do a proper SR. Looks like the right side knuckle is leaking. Either the steering geometry was way way off with that kit (very likely), or the caster shims are in backwards and it is way way off now.

Mark...

 

[Devils Paw 80]

After reading Mark’s post I noticed how cracked and worn the sway bar bushings are. Damn! This rig looks crusty underneath. How does the body look?

 

[cruiserdan]

Once you take care of the rust, your job is done. There will be nothing left to fix.

 

[Mark W]

Yep. That is some nasty looking rust. And I promise you, the areas of the frame and body that are not showing in your pics will be worse. This looks like a rig that has been used to launch boats off the beach into the surf for a few years. I pity the fool who has to remove and reinstall any bolts on the underside! I've got am old chevy suburban that looks like that. Every time I drive it, it comes home lighter... Completely serious... chunks of rust fall off every time it hits a bump.

Mark...

 

[zero2nils]

After reading Mark’s post I noticed how cracked and worn the sway bar bushings are. Damn! This rig looks crusty underneath. How does the body look?

The body isn’t perfect but it’s has a lot less rust than the underside.

 

[CruiserTrash]

That frame is rough. I run a shackle reversal & 4Plus u-bolt flips, and when done right it’s great. When done wrong it’s not great. If you get that truck you won’t get around to the suspension for a while since you’ll be tackling all that rust though.

 

[The Machinist]

If the rust doesn't bother you, just remove the caster shim (that is in backwards) on the front axle and run it as is. The stock steering works just fine with the 3-4" shackle reversal lift, I drove mine for over a decade like that with no problems (although there is definitely room for improvement). The shackle reversal is not the most comfortable with the stock length 60 series lift springs; if you want to make it work correctly and fix the shackle angle, replace the front springs with ones for a 75 series, they are 40mm longer on the shackle side and easy to get new.

Looking past the rust and neglect, someone spent some time and money getting the suspension and axles sorted at some point. OME suspension, U-bolt flip kits front and rear, braided brake lines, shackle reversal kit (pro or con depending on your preference)... If you don't mind cleaning up the rust, you would be ahead about $2500 vs a stock truck

 

[lcwizard]

Install is fine. Pull the bottom leaf on the front OME springs. It will settle about 1/2" but the kit adds 1 1/2" lift so you may not notice much drop. The ride will be noticeably better with the bottom leaf removed. A 3 degree shim, in that orientation, is correct for that kit. You should have about 2 degrees positive caster where it is. If you're unsure, have it thrown on an alignment rack. Removing the shim won't necessarily hurt anything. You be around 6 degree positive. Depending on your lift, when you pull the shim and drop the pinion, you may see u-joint bind at the t-case under full droop on the front driveshaft. There's also a risk of pulling the slip yoke apart at full droop if the shocks are too long. I've owned and wheeled six 60s and broke one or both of the front shackle hangers off on all of them so I've always converted to shackle reversals. It was a slow ride home from the Holy Cross trail the last time I broke a hanger loose. Always carry a chain or good rachet straps for such things