I definitely like the hangers that Jungle offers. His stuff is nothing but top notch, and I would've ordered a bunch of stuff from him if I would've had the money. CE-TX is doing a great job with his truck!!!!

I moved the rear hanger back the same amount that I moved the front hanger forward, if that makes sense. That way, the center pin stays in the same location, and the wheel stays centered in the wheel well. My rear driveshaft didn't need lengthened, but the front is marginal. The front driveshaft has separated on me twice by being pulled completely apart at the slip joint from so much travel. For me, that's a good problem to have I'll get a longer shaft made for it eventually.

I wasn't so much concerned with ride height. I was shooting for between 3" - 6" of lift. My main concern was articulation, travel, and riding at about 40% into the shock shaft travel at static ride height. I used 12" travel short bodies in front, and 14" travel shocks in rear. By re-making all shock mounts, I was able to achieve this travel balance. In the front, I'm ~ 5" into the available 12" travel at static. In the rear, I'm about 6" into the available 14". The way the springs/shackles/mounts are setup now, I can fully utilize every inch of travel front and rear. However, I've only been able to use the full compressive rear travel heavily laden; jumping the truck at ~ 60 mph with a 4 foot vertical drop isn't enough to push through all of the rear travel with an empty rig. This is likely because I still have the heavy overload spring under the 63" rear pack, combined with a little too much compression valving in the rear shocks.

I made new shackles for the front springs that were about 5/8" longer than stock IIRC.

I suppose I ended up with ~ 6" of lift. I'm still running a 2" block under the rear leaves to get the back end of the truck somewhat level with the front. If I had to do it again, I'd probably go with 4" lift front Alcans, lose the block in the rear, and cut out the fenders to give the necessary tire clearance. I may do that in fact someday.

When you're pulling 12" + of travel you really have to look out for things. My front driveshaft makes contact with the downpipe on the exhaust at full compressive travel.

--Eric

 

Thanks man!!

 

Enafzigecan you give me the measurments between both shackles. Were the red line is the measurment I like to get thanks



jmd

 

Sure!!! ...and welcome! Give me a few hours...

--Eric

 

Ok, I think I am going to do like you did on your truck, but with 4in skyjacker front springs. I just dont know witch flip shackle I am going to use for the rear. I am thinking about a stock dodge or chevy hanger or jungles hanger and either a 6 or 8 in shackle.

thanks
jmd

 

From eye to eye straight across on my rear leaves is 65", and I used an 8" shackle.

--Eric

 

ok, thanks for that info. Now I have a starting point to go by. I am not so worried about having all the flex as having a better ride.

thanks again
jmd

 

Lengthy delays, i got my chevy 63" leafs.

Decided to get a stock pair off a '99 chevy 1500 2wd, going to add a leaf to get a extra inch or two out of them. then using diy4x.com shackle flip and 7.25" shackles.

how long are the rear shackles on the front leaf springs? can a 6 or 7.25 " shackle be used without issue?

 

and thanks again enafzige for all the replies! just realized i didnt reply to the last post yet. awesome build and awesome tips thanks