Long story short: I found a broken leaf in my 50,000 mile old Rusty's leaf pack recently so it's time to get to work. But I've got a few questions and concerns. I've been reading tons of threads trying to find answers but I need a few specific things answered. So here's my setup.

Currently 3.5" leaf pack w stock shackles and stock shackle box.

Planning on HD off-road no lift relo brackets and another Rusty's 3.5" leaf pack. New u bolts and I'd like to run a longer, boomerang shackle too.

I want to go no higher than ~4". Preferably stay right at 3.5"

So here are my questions:
1-will the stock or aftermarket shackle articulate "into" the HD brackets? I.e. Not contact at the bottom, but slide up into the bracket on uptravel.

2- with all the extra holes in the hd bracket, can I run a longer shackle without adding lift? I'm guessing probably not but hoping so.

3-pinion angle/vibes is a big concern for me. I have no vibes at 80mph on my current setup and don't have budget for sye/driveshaft mods at the moment. So let's say I end up with ~4" of lift with the new setup- will the better shackle angle/longer shackle help offset the pinion angle enough to not get vibes?

4-if I'm wanting more articulation and only 3.5-4" of lift, would I be better off getting like a 2" lift pack and a long shackle setup? Only reason I was going back with Rusty's is they treated me well for 50k+ miles.

thanks for the thoughts and input.

 

I'm running the same leaf pack and MJ shackles. I plan on running liquid iron's leaf sliders for this reason. Flexes just as good as relocators but advertises 0-1" lift over stock. One less bushing to deal with down the road too. But I was on the same fence.

 

I did the no lift HD boxes and I want to say a 5" shackle and ended up with 1" of lift once everything settled and the I got the angle dialed in.

 

Subbed - This is next on my list and want the same rear height as the OP.

 

whats the stock shavkle length?

 

Answered in bold.

 

3" if my memory serves me right.

 

After searching and reading, I went with Dorman 929-301 springs. With the RC shackle relocation kit and 1.5-2" lift shackles. The measurement from the top of the axle tube to the spot were the bump stop meets the frame is 10". Hoping for good ride and 3.5" lift when everything settles. just now going out to tighten everything up.

 

Maybe it's just the picture, but to me your leafs look flat and almost inverted towards the end?

 

that was actually part of the plan, to leave the springs on the flat side for better ride and articulation. The springs are new so they are weak in any way. I might have to add one but still want a flatter pack. The idea was taken from the low COG sticky.

 

Thanks for the good responses fellas.

 

I run a Rustys 3" lift that I upgraded to a 4 1/2" lift using 1 1/2" Boomerang Shackle and ACOS Spacer on the HD 3" coils that I wanted to keep, they had a good ride even with the winch/bumper on no sag. I have a rear tire carrier bumper with lots of weight in the cargo area 125-175# no problems with sag less than 3/4" total.


The Rustys lift has been installed for just over 4 yrs. now.

 

thanks fred.

anyone know who makes a short aftermarket shackle? Don't want to run stock shackles with the HD boxes but I want as little lift as possible from them.

 

IRO does

 

Go with a smaller lift leaf pack and a longer shackle if you're planning on changing out the leafs anyways.