Lowering tow vehicle

Raise the trailer. With a subframe if needed! Chris

I had our 2001 3500 2wd dually lowered 2 " with the bell tech longer shackle for the rear. We had the first longer shackles that were made for our truck. It was a big deal getting GM to do something to lower our truck. It was a good job and I would do it again.

chevman

I'm in the same boat. My biggest concern was if the lowering shackles are as strong as the factory ones. Don't want to lose any capacity with weak components.

I have used these on other trucks that didn't tow. Easy to install, inexpensive, and gives a nice leveled look. My experience has been that they don't lower as much as advertised. I never got more than 1.5" from a 2" shackle.

Thanks, I think I will try the shackles route. Either that, or modify the bed rails.

I use the longer shackles in the rear .
I added 3 inch length .
That lowered the rear about 1.75 inches .
I lowered my 2002 duramax about 11 years ago .
I adjusted the adjustable torsion bars in front to get it as low as it would go .
The access to the bed was too high in back .
I wanted to get better handlng also , from a lower center of gravity .
I use 265/75R16 Michelin Highway tires mounted on 8 inch x 16 weld aluminum wheels .
My truck has a much ROUGHER RIDE than before .
The reason is the long shackles change the angle of attack for the Leaf Springs so that they do not deflect properly .
A better method would have been to raise the front bracket on the frame for the leaf springs so that they could deflect more easily .
I would not use the longer shackles again unless I also raised the front Leaf bracket on the truck frame .

Not trying to be a trouble maker or smart a.., but I have to ask a couple of questions regarding changing those rear shackles:
I understand in theory changing to shorter shackles should bring the rear down a bit, but what do you then do with the Rubber Snubbers? If you lower the back they will be closer to the axle and closer to bottoming out.
Next question, when changing those rear shackles, are you not putting excess stress on the front section of the leaf springs? It would seem from a mechanical standpoint that the front half would not be carrying more of the load, thus more prone to failure.
Inquiring minds what to know.....

That's something to consider about the angle. I'm afraid the front brackets are where they will stay. Thanks.

Michelle.S wrote:
Not trying to be a trouble maker or smart a.., but I have to ask a couple of questions regarding changing those rear shackles:
I understand in theory changing to shorter shackles should bring the rear down a bit, but what do you then do with the Rubber Snubbers? If you lower the back they will be closer to the axle and closer to bottoming out.
Next question, when changing those rear shackles, are you not putting excess stress on the front section of the leaf springs? It would seem from a mechanical standpoint that the front half would not be carrying more of the load, thus more prone to failure.
Inquiring minds what to know.....

The shackles would be longer (not shorter) to lower the rear. The snubbers question is a good point. I have about 5 inches clearance with truck not loaded. I will be measuring with trailer connected, thank you. You lost me on the last part of the question.

Plenty of clearance with the 3 inch longer shackles .
But I am near my 9200# gvw only once a year or so .
with a longer shackle the angle of the leaf spring is no longer parallel to the ground .
the 40 inch leaf spring is 3 inches higher at the rear than the front.

when you lower the suspension.

check rear end angle. otherwise you will damage the U-joints.
replace rubber bump-stops. with shorter urethane ones.

my Ram is 2 inches lower in the front.. and 4 inches lower in the rear. done 8 years ago.

and If you change is more than 2 inches .. you need to get different shocks.. as they are also used as a travel limiter...