I can't afford a re-arc right now, was wondering if a temporary solution might me longer shackles on the back of the front springs? The rear I control with air bags.

I'm sure the ride is a lot harsher that it would be if the front shackles weren't banging on the frame over every bump!

Thoughts?

 

I install 1/2 longer shackles on the rear of the front spring on most of my 1st gens.
If it is hitting the frame when the axle compresses, then yes ride quality will suffer. It also puts a lot of stress on the frame and I have seen them crack do to a bottomed out shackle.

 

Correction. I add a 1 inch longer shackle which gives me 1/2 inch of lift at the center of the spring / axle.
It also adds a little caster which helps keep the truck driving straight and the steering wheel returning to center better.

 

Thanks Oliver, will do.

 

I'm on Oliver's page.... I run 5" shackles.

 

Can you take a picture and post?

 

I made these with holes at 5, 6, and 7". Using the 5".

 

Is it good and stable?

 

Very. Outside bar is angle and the inside is 3/8" flat bar.

 

Did it improve the quality of the ride?

 

If your shackle is resting up against the frame at "resting" ride height, a longer shackle with certainly improve the ride.

 

On my 91.5 5 speed, I changed my front shock to coil over to give it a little lift off the sagging springs. The coil overs were about 2.5" longer than stock. That was enough to change the drive shaft angle to where it would beat the crap out of the double cardan during full extension. I noticed with you shackle lift, it changed the pinion angle. Have you noticed any oscillations with having your drive shaft flanges out of alignment?

 

My spring wasn't against the frame, so no change. I wanted more caster angle.

 

The stock Saginaw CV has stops on the corners, and grinding them off yields much more angle. Or change to the spicer style CV for 94+ which already does that extra angle.