Might be worth doing it this way if you plan on converting to a D60 solid axle later. Otherwise it looks like a can of worms to me. Yes I'm sure it can be worked out, but I'm not sure the results will be worth it. The F250 TTB springs have a way higher spring rate than OSB F350 or SD springs. In fact the leaves are like about 3/8 inch thicker. So you have to use TTB springs. (this is due to the leverage factor of the TTB, it's like using a prybar to compress the spring rather than just put your weight on it.) You still have to get drop brackets for the TTB pivots, and the tie rods will still be at a steep angle. The 2 things you gain will be height, and elimenation of the weak upper shackle bushing in front. You will have to hassle with it since ride height = camber. Can be done, not worth it imho.

 

Yes I can be done. You need to get center drop brackets that are the right heigth though. Works just fine.

 

Thanks for the info,I dont plan on ever changing to a dana 60,I like my TTB even though everyone else seems to not.I dont want a huge lift and can live with the stock off road suspension,its a little higher than non OR.But i just cant leave things alone,lol.I dont want to render my truck useless with a high lift,i tow to many trailers and use my bed for many ranch chores and hauling stuff.Its just not worth it to me to spend the kind of money it would take to do a 60 swap.I drive my truck once a month if that.
thanks

 

Click HERE for some pics and dimensions of a TTB RSK /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif

 

thanks,have you done it?

 

No, that's Geoff's truck, from GTS-Motorsports

http://www.gts-motorsports.com/

 

Can this be done without lifting the truck?

 

Not sure what you are asking. How else could you put a lift on a truck without lifting it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

 

Yes ya can...why would ya want to /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif


Well, I finally got sick of the kidney jarring ride of my '96 F350 CC PSD 4X4. I had a '00 F350 over a couple of weeks ago and I laid up under it for 30 minutes or so. The only difference I could see between the two front ends was the reversed shackles. I have driven jeeps with the front shackles and with the shackles reversed and have experienced the improved ride.
I looked into the ORU kit, but did not want the added 2 inches of height and a few people I know that did the ORU conversion did not like the still semi harsh ride.

What I did...I ordered front spring hangers, leaf springs, shackles, and rear spring mounts from Ford for a '00 F350 PSD. Get two of the stamped steel front spring hangers. Stock, one is stamped steel and one is cast iron.

Took off the old stuff from the '96. Cut off the rear spring mounts. Boxed the frame where the shackles mounted on the front. Bolted and welded the new front spring mounts as far forward as possible on the frame. Measured 53.25 inches from the front spring mount (center of hole) back to the frame. This becomes center of hole for the rear spring mount (as measured off a '00 F350). Cut a hole in the frame a little bigger than the rear spring mount (at first we thought we were going to have to build some offset into the rear mount, but the rear mounts already have offset built into them and they bolted into the hole fine). Mounted the rear spring mounts, bolted up the springs and shackles with all new hardware (BTW, the bolts for the new springs are twice the size of the bolts for the old springs). Mounted the springs to the axle using the existing plates and u-bolts.

Then went for a ride. WOW!! what a difference! This mod alone made me decide to keep this truck instead of getting a new one. I'm going to dual it instead and keep it.

This mod did move the axle back about 1 inch. Ironic because I had spaced my bumper out one inch to compensate for bigger tires. It also lowered the truck about 1-1.25 inches in the front, which was perfect to match the velvet ride shackles in the rear.

Cost: 2 front spring mounts: BRKT F4541, $46@
2 '00 front shackles, SHKL-960, $10@
1 set '00 front springs, SPG AS 13310, $135@
2 rear spring mounts, $35 @

Total parts: $475 (with bolts and stuff)
Total labor: 14 hours
Total increased ride comfort: priceless!

Yup, it costs more than the ORU kit, but I lowered the ride height and got much nicer riding springs.

Big thanks to my buddy Charlie for doing all the work. He said if he were to do it for someone, probably about $1k with parts and labor.

HTH,
Shannon

------------------
Shannon
'68 Bronco "LOCKMUP"
'96 F350 Crew Cab PowerStroke


[This message has been edited by Shannon (edited 07-15-2000).]


Cary

 

[ QUOTE ]
Not sure what you are asking. How else could you put a lift on a truck without lifting it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
So who said anything about a lift? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif The question was about a reverse shackle kit, not a lift kit!

 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Not sure what you are asking. How else could you put a lift on a truck without lifting it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
So who said anything about a lift? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif The question was about a reverse shackle kit, not a lift kit!

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually that is what i asked "Has anyone with a f250 TTB installed a reverse shackle lift"
I talked to Sky( a guy named Sky) at http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/
He said his kit was no different than any other lift kit,IE I would need drop brackets for the TTB but would work fine,has anyone used their kit?
thanks

 

sorry for the confusion guys, I was not very clear....

what I meant was
- can you do the reverse shackle modification to improve ride quality without raising the ride height of the truck.

I don't want my truck any taller than it already is stock... I just want to improve the ride.

 

Think my last post answered your question /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Cary

 

What Caryt did would be cheaper than the ORU kit as the ORU kit @$425 doesn't include springs. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Not sure what you are asking. How else could you put a lift on a truck without lifting it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
So who said anything about a lift? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif The question was about a reverse shackle kit, not a lift kit!

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually that is what i asked "Has anyone with a f250 TTB installed a reverse shackle lift"


[/ QUOTE ]


MPRSME

It looks like I owe you an apology. Sorry Buddy. I guess Im the one that wasn't paying attention. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[ QUOTE ]
What Caryt did would be cheaper than the ORU kit as the ORU kit @$425 doesn't include springs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Cary actually has the ORU brackets and SD springs. The SKY wasn't available when he did his. Also, the set up using all stock SD parts to do a shacle reverse with SD springs at stock or slightly lower than stock was a post that Cary has saved from another user and reposted many times. He's ended up being the go to guy on the RSK kits and I sure apreciate his patience sinice I already bugged him myself!

 

Thanks for the complement /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vulnerable.gif I just took Shannons idea and took it to the next logical step. What always amazes me is that sometimes people just don't seem to <font color="blue">read-comprehend </font> what I post /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

Cary

 

That's bercause the internet fixes everthing instantly don't ya know!

 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Not sure what you are asking. How else could you put a lift on a truck without lifting it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
So who said anything about a lift? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif The question was about a reverse shackle kit, not a lift kit!

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually that is what i asked "Has anyone with a f250 TTB installed a reverse shackle lift"


[/ QUOTE ]


MPRSME

It looks like I owe you an apology. Sorry Buddy. I guess Im the one that wasn't paying attention. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Applolgy for what?no biggie I was just trying to get an answer because my thread was getting hyjacked,lol.

 

Sorry, I didn't realize you were quoting someone else as I knew you had done the RSK and thought you were describing your experience.

 

Dave no apology required...I wasn't really talking about you /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Cary

 

If I were to use the SD mounts, shackles, and springs with a D60 would it raise or lower my '97? I know you gain some with the D60 swap, would the SD mounts and springs bring it back to stock or close to it? And if I stayed at the height will the pumpkin have enough clearance or would the cross member need to be notched? I saw another post somehwere that a guy had to notch his for clearance. If I have to go up a couple of inches thats fine it would level my truck, but I don't want the front to be higher than the rear.

 

[ QUOTE ]
Yes ya can...why would ya want to /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif


Well, I finally got sick of the kidney jarring ride of my '96 F350 CC PSD 4X4. I had a '00 F350 over a couple of weeks ago and I laid up under it for 30 minutes or so. The only difference I could see between the two front ends was the reversed shackles. I have driven jeeps with the front shackles and with the shackles reversed and have experienced the improved ride.
I looked into the ORU kit, but did not want the added 2 inches of height and a few people I know that did the ORU conversion did not like the still semi harsh ride.

What I did...I ordered front spring hangers, leaf springs, shackles, and rear spring mounts from Ford for a '00 F350 PSD. Get two of the stamped steel front spring hangers. Stock, one is stamped steel and one is cast iron.

Took off the old stuff from the '96. Cut off the rear spring mounts. Boxed the frame where the shackles mounted on the front. Bolted and welded the new front spring mounts as far forward as possible on the frame. Measured 53.25 inches from the front spring mount (center of hole) back to the frame. This becomes center of hole for the rear spring mount (as measured off a '00 F350). Cut a hole in the frame a little bigger than the rear spring mount (at first we thought we were going to have to build some offset into the rear mount, but the rear mounts already have offset built into them and they bolted into the hole fine). Mounted the rear spring mounts, bolted up the springs and shackles with all new hardware (BTW, the bolts for the new springs are twice the size of the bolts for the old springs). Mounted the springs to the axle using the existing plates and u-bolts.

Then went for a ride. WOW!! what a difference! This mod alone made me decide to keep this truck instead of getting a new one. I'm going to dual it instead and keep it.

This mod did move the axle back about 1 inch. Ironic because I had spaced my bumper out one inch to compensate for bigger tires. <font color="blue">It also lowered the truck about 1-1.25 inches in the front </font> , which was perfect to match the velvet ride shackles in the rear.

Cost: 2 front spring mounts: BRKT F4541, $46@
2 '00 front shackles, SHKL-960, $10@
1 set '00 front springs, SPG AS 13310, $135@
2 rear spring mounts, $35 @

Total parts: $475 (with bolts and stuff)
Total labor: 14 hours
Total increased ride comfort: priceless!

Yup, it costs more than the ORU kit, but I lowered the ride height and got much nicer riding springs.

Big thanks to my buddy Charlie for doing all the work. He said if he were to do it for someone, probably about $1k with parts and labor.

HTH,
Shannon

------------------
Shannon
'68 Bronco "LOCKMUP"
'96 F350 Crew Cab PowerStroke


[This message has been edited by Shannon (edited 07-15-2000).]


Cary

[/ QUOTE ]

If ya use X code springs then it will stay even.

Cary

 

The D60 might raise it a inch? You should not have to worrie about the pan. You can mix and match springs and rear blocks if you need to. Your truck should be 2" low as it sits now.


Cary

 

Are the springs labelled in production?

I'm wondering if I could go to my favorite junkyard and just take the whole front end spring assembly off a newer superduty wreck and put the parts on my truck???