So I bought a canopy from a guy on CL and he threw in these shackles to level out my ride.

#1 Just the shackles, no bolts. Anybody know what all I need to make these work? bolt sizes, washers, etc... Looking for cheap and local, don't want to order up greasable ones.

#2 these are 5.5" center to center on the holes. My truck is a 91, 125,000 miles, everything stock. Will the lift I get from these cause any other problems? Vibrations, u joints etc? I heard something about the lsvd(or whatever it is)?

#3 If I decide I need to change the bushings, is that pretty straight forward or are these press in type deals? nothing is rusted back there.

Thanks!

 

Just use the largest bolt that will fit through the shackle and springs. I would recommend putting a washer on both sides of the shackle so the bolt doesn`t dig into the shackle when its tightened. You might also need to extend the mount for the load sensing proportioning valve, you want the rod level with no weight in the rear.

 

I hope you have better luck then me.

Living here in the Salt belt I have never been able to get shackles apart other then using zip discs or the torch.

If it was me I would have new bushings when you replace the shackles.

 

i have 18mm bolts in there, thread pitch doesnt really matter as long as the nut fits, i dont use washers, shackle plates are washers, use crimp nuts. replace bushings with polyurethane. u dont need a press, your fingers can get em out, but you will need a lithium grease to eliminate squeaking and increase longevity on the new ones. length of the bolt depends on the thickness of the shackle plate...

you should be able to find all of this stuff either @ napa or ace hardware

 

Well, it was an easy job. Took me about 30 minutes, start to finish. Everything came apart as if it was just put together. Gave me about an inch of lift. The bolts i found were a bit smaller in diameter than the old ones, so there is some play in there. Doesn't seem to hurt anything and I cant feel it when driving but I'm guessing my bushings will wear out faster.
I notice my breaking is a little worse.. i need more info on adjusting the lspv. thanks

 

you can purchase a manual adjusting proportioning valve through summit or i know wilwood makes one too.

 

Just us a small piece of bar stock to raise the mount for the proportioning valve, with no load in the back you want the arm parallel with the rear axle.

 

Can you use a 3/4" bolt instead of a m18 or will it not fit the stock shackle and bushings? When i was replacing the bushings i banged up the bolt so i can no longer screw a nut on and i was hoping to run to the local hardware store and pick up a replacement but they only had 3/4" so i was wondering if this would work?

 

You'll need to drill out the shackle side plates and possibly the bushings to fit a 3/4" bolt. It can be done, but you'll need a 3/4" bit and drill that can turn it.

 

Buy 130mm bolts for frame mounts, 120mm bolts for spring eye, 4 large bushings and 4 small bushings from Marlin Crawler. That's exactly what I got. Paid $63 with shipping.