Does this look correct to everyone??

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77 K20

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My truck came with 52" springs and I replaced them with a brand new stock 56" spring with almost the same weight capacity and the truck rides much better.

I used a 2.5" shackle flip from ORD. This moved my axle notecably forward. I didn't like how it looked so I used their 1/4" thick axle relocation plate to move the axle back to where it should. A 4" shackle flip will move the axle more frorward than mine was.

Pic of the rear tire not centered:

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Powerhouse Ranch

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My truck came with 52" springs and I replaced them with a brand new stock 56" spring with almost the same weight capacity and the truck rides much better.

I used a 2.5" shackle flip from ORD. This moved my axle notecably forward. I didn't like how it looked so I used their 1/4" thick axle relocation plate to move the axle back to where it should. A 4" shackle flip will move the axle more frorward than mine was.

oh yeah you can totally see that
 

LSX K10

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77 K20....what holes did you bolt the flip brackets to on the frame using the 56” springs? The front ones or the back ones? My frame is predrilled from the factory with both
 

PrairieDrifter

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77 K20....what holes did you bolt the flip brackets to on the frame using the 56” springs? The front ones or the back ones? My frame is predrilled from the factory with both
Back ones are for 56's
 

LSX K10

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Since this is going to be a so called Trailer Queen....I think I might just put the factory rear hangers back on and get a set of custom built Alcan 56” springs for the rear and stock length for up front. Seems to be easier to get it where I want it now
 

77 K20

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77 K20....what holes did you bolt the flip brackets to on the frame using the 56” springs? The front ones or the back ones? My frame is predrilled from the factory with both


I used the same holes as the stock 52" spring hangers. The ORD design spring hangers are universal- meaning using those same 52" holes you can then run either spring length depending on where the offset is on the hanger.


Having the shackle flipped around will give you a much better ride. I'd be hesitant on putting the stock brackets back on.
 

LSX K10

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Ok got the brackets swapped to the other side. Here’s a couple pics of the angle of the shackle now WITHOUT any weight from the body on it at all. Whatcha think???
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77 K20

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It is definitely better than your first post- but still looks a little odd. Having more weight might make the spring pack flatten out and get "longer". Then as the spring pack settles a bit some of the arch will go away.

ORD talked about spring packs that have a lot of arch to them and the relationship to the shackle length: (They sell two shackle lengths: a 4.5" and a 6". The short one is 0.5" longer than a stock shackle)



Install these HD rear shackles with the open side to the front to prevent contact with the main leaf of the spring.

With deeper arch springs (6" or more lift) use the longer shackles and a shorter shackle flip. An example would be a 12" total lift would use the 2.5" shackle flip, a 6" HD rear shackle and the 8" lift spring. The longer shackle length helps keep the shackle from inverting to the front or back. There's nothing wrong with the 2.5" flip / 6" HD shackle combo for shorter lifts either but it's essential for taller springs.

Using stock length shackles with deep arch springs and a shackle flip can allow the shackles to flip the wrong direction, the fix is our longer 6" shackles. The longer shackles keep the shackle from flipping forward and allow the spring to compress and stretch out naturally under the weight of the truck.

Do those Fox shocks have a lot of nitrogen pressure in them? Are they "pushing" down a lot?
 

77 K20

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Since I'm using stock 56" springs ORD told me that my shackle angle will be a bit farther back as the flat spring pack can't get much longer. But with the shackle leaning back then it allows a lot more droop when needed.

And these greasable bushings make sure that spring movement is unhindered.

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LSX K10

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I will certainly order some of those shackles for the rear. That won’t give me anymore lift tho correct? The Fox shocks are stiff for sure. However in the pics I just posted they are not connected to the rear end. They’re hanging. I’m going to have them revolved most likely bc they’re so stiff but not a factor in these pics since they’re disconnected at the bottom
 

PrairieDrifter

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The ord rear shackle hangers are 1 inch longer than factory hangers, will give you about that much lift.
 

77 K20

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I will certainly order some of those shackles for the rear. That won’t give me anymore lift tho correct? The Fox shocks are stiff for sure. However in the pics I just posted they are not connected to the rear end. They’re hanging. I’m going to have them revolved most likely bc they’re so stiff but not a factor in these pics since they’re disconnected at the bottom

If you get the "short" shackles they would provide 0.25" of lift. If you get the long shackle then it would lift by 1.25"

And if you are going to put in an order I'd go ahead and get those axle relocation plates. They are pretty cheap. And moving the rear axle back a bit will help with your pinion angle.

Don't suppose you have a pile of sandbags or something to nicely stack on the frame with the axle on jackstands to see what happens with hundreds of pounds of weight? Or have a group of your buddies come over and sit on your frame? (if your friends are like mine all weigh 250lbs and go up from there). :D
 

LSX K10

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It might be best for me to leave it like this for now and get all the weight back on it to see exactly where it’s at bc the issue I’m afraid I will have is 1. Too much lift in the rear vs the front and 2. Rear axle moved forward from factory position. I won’t know these 2 for certain until I get all the body back on the frame
 

LSX K10

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Lol I seriously thought about doing that! I could easily get some friends to come over and help me set the cab and bed back on temporarily. I’m trying to finish paint work on the cab so I can get it and the bed back on
 

Frankenchevy

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To me this doesn’t look right either. Having the shackle dang near parallel seems like it’d make it ride rough. As the spring flattens out during upward travel, it needs to push that shackle back as it is right now it seems like it will be jamming the shackle straight at the frame initially rather than smoothly rotating towards the rear.
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If you have the funds, I’d call ORD or Alcan and get springs built. Theirs are actually 48” in the front to compensate for the increased arc so it keeps the shackle more vertical or closer to perpendicular to the leaf whereas yours is fairly parallel to the leaf.
 

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