Does this look correct to everyone??

[LSX K10]

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

I am currently building a 1986 k10 lwb. My dad bought it brand new. My question is does this look correct considering that no bed, cab, doors, fenders, hood, etc are on it. It’s just a rolling chassis with drivetrain. I put a super lift 4” shackle flip kit on the rear with 4” skyjacker 52” springs. As of now with no weight on it I don’t see how the shackle will ever rotate into the correct position once all the weight is on it. Am I missing something here? I have verified that the brackets are on the correct side and in the forward holes on the frame and also know that this truck has 52” springs. Please help me as I’m just stuck on this. First pic is with just the weight of the frame on it. 2nd pic is with all weight off the spring and the rear end sagging

 

[PrairieDrifter]

No this is not correct. Very incorrect.. can you get pics of both sides up. As of right now it seems you have the brackets wrong, or the wrong leaf springs.

 

[Curt]

It looks like that truck took 56” rear leaf springs,not 52”.From the way I’m looking at it,4” longer springs would put that spring eye where it needs to be,basically under the mount.Your shackle should almost vertical,or the bottom of shackle (attached to spring eye) tilted toward the front of the truck a bit or tilted back a bit...basically centered in its travel.My truck has rear 56” springs.A popular swap is to move those 56” to the front.Maybe that’s where yours went and they put those on just to get by.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Curt]

Or,possibly the spring is backwards.Try turning in around and see.Either way those are gonna have to come out of there.

 

[Curt]

Or,those could be front springs.I think fronts run 47”.Measure from eye to eye,but you have to follow the contour of the spring for the measurement to be right.

 

[77 K20]

Those hanger brackets have an offset to them. If you swap the passenger side and driver side it should work.

Several different companies make those brackets- if you mount them they way you did you can run 56" springs. Mount them the other way then they are for 52" springs.

At least from superlift's website they look like they are offset.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[idahovette]

I agree with @77 K20 , turn 'em around

 

[Bennyt]

I agree with what others have said about swapping the mounts side to side but as a follow-up q.

Are you going to be using a SYE with a double CV? Your Pinion angle looks a bit aggressive for a standard joint and slip yoke.

 

[LSX K10]

To clarify a few things from responses we have owned this truck since new. I know these are 52” springs bc I’ve measured them along the arch. I originally had the brackets swapped from side to side and it did look much better but then I thought I had too much lift(without any weight on it). I will swap them back to opposite sides tonight and post some more pics. Everything I’ve researched has confirmed that 56” springs did NOT come on a 1986 1/2 ton but I guess it’s still possible. Oh and I’m planning on having an aluminum driveshaft made for the rear and a slip shaft of course made for the front. This is a nut and bolt restoration and not a truck that will EVER see off-road. Sentimental value to me. I appreciate everyone’s responses and help

 

[LSX K10]

I did contact skyjacker tech support and sent them the same pics that I posted here and he strangely told me that he was 100% positive that it was correct and that he sees that all the time when people do frame off restorations and don’t have any weight on the new springs yet. I just don’t see how it’s physically possible to make that shackle lay back the correct way as it is now

 

[Bennyt]

To clarify a few things from responses we have owned this truck since new. I know these are 52” springs bc I’ve measured them along the arch. I originally had the brackets swapped from side to side and it did look much better but then I thought I had too much lift(without any weight on it). I will swap them back to opposite sides tonight and post some more pics. Everything I’ve researched has confirmed that 56” springs did NOT come on a 1986 1/2 ton but I guess it’s still possible. Oh and I’m planning on having an aluminum driveshaft made for the rear and a slip shaft of course made for the front. This is a nut and bolt restoration and not a truck that will EVER see off-road. Sentimental value to me. I appreciate everyone’s responses and help

52 vs 56 doesn't matter as long as you are using the correct corresponding mounting locations on the frame which you are as the 56" mounting holes are clearly visible and not in use. Hopefully, you swapping the mounts side to side and/ or putting weight should correct the problem.

However, if you could exchange the 52" springs for some 56", I would as they ride better, especially in a lifted application.

Re. the driveshaft. I would look into getting a SYE (Slip yoke eliminator) for your transfer case(Np208?). This will allow you to run a double CV joint shaft which will virtually eliminate driveline vibration without lowering the transfer case. Not a necessity on a longbed but with all the expense and work you are putting into that truck, it would be an excellent upgrade.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

I did contact skyjacker tech support and sent them the same pics that I posted here and he strangely told me that he was 100% positive that it was correct and that he sees that all the time when people do frame off restorations and don’t have any weight on the new springs yet. I just don’t see how it’s physically possible to make that shackle lay back the correct way as it is now

That skyjacker guy is full of it. You are 100% right in the thought that it will not sit correctly with weight on it. In reality it will rest the shackle against the shackle hanger, and would break and bend things, and ride rougher than a covered wagon. Basically would be like solid mounting both ends of the springs.

You also need the correct length shackles for application. But get the hangers swapped around then show us how it looks

 

[LSX K10]

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

I agree with both those last 2 responses. I will look into a slip yoke eliminator style driveshaft. The truck originally had a 6” lift using blocks and add a leaf in the rear and it was from the late 80’s so def worn out and rode like crap but had no vibration whatsoever. Being a long bed the drivetrain angle isn’t bad at all. Here’s a pic of the rest so far. I do have a transfer case drop down kit on it and I’ll be swapping brackets back tonight and repost pics.

 

[TubeTruck]

I agree with everyone here. Your brackets are reversed. Plus I'm pretty sure your shackles are on backwards as well. I've seen them all installed with the opening toward the spring.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[LSX K10]

Another quick question....so seems like my rear end is moved forward about 1” which is shortened the wheelbase. Not positive of that yet because I haven’t put the bed back on yet to see where it sits in the wheel opening. Could that be bc of the shackle flip kit? Would 56” springs move it back or would I need to use a zero rate shim to get it back centered in the wheel opening? Thanks for all your expertise!! I’m a paint and body guy not a suspension specialist lol. This is new to me and I’m using parts that weren’t designed together so having to figure things out as I go