I know there was a post about a week ago with pics of a set of belltech shackles next to a set of JLP 3" Shackles and they were almost identical in size.

Nobody had any pics of the JLP 4" shackles next to belltech 2" shackles though, so i snapped some today

Belltech on top, and JLP on bottom. The top hole is an inch higher than the belltech, so its more like a true 3" Drop shackle.
Rubber bushings on the belltech, Polyurethane on the JLP's



Not much bed clearance left with these Pic looks like its almost touching. LoL, but there's about 1/2" there.
I had to reverse the direction of the top bolt so the threads would clear that ridge in the bed sticking down (i still bent it out just incase)

 

I did get an addition inch out of them over the belltechs.
I was sitting level before with stock front, and belltech rear, but i did a 1" front drop last weekend and wanted it level again, which the JLP's did.

Before: 2" shackles



After: 4" (really 3") Shackles



No comments on the filthy truck. LOL. 3 hours on the turnpike yesterday in the rain going up to JDM's and back

Sideview of my 1"/3" Drop



I know the bigger shackles aren't the best way to do this amount of drop, but i didn't have the bucks to drop on a set of drop leafs, and didn't want to mess with hangers, plus i don't have the tools for hangers.

I took the truck for a spin with the new shackles and i can't really tell much of a difference in handling out back between the belltechs and the JLP's. There might be a little, but i couldn't tell. Probalby more of a difference going from stock to the JLP's, but its been so long i can't really remember.

Doing my rear swaybar tomorrow, so that should help out alot.

Damn, i need to update my sig...still got the old hood on in those pics. lol

 

Excellent post Harley
Very informative and great before and after pic's.

Beautiful Truck

 

Is it possible to do 2 inch shackles and then the Hotchkis leafs? Any clearance issues? I want to do the shackles for now but I know the Hotchkis leafs are also in my future...

 

Thanks Ron

Did ya notice my shackles are in backwards like yours?
at least i think they are. lol
thats the way they came out, so thats how they went back in

 

On my old 99L, before I traded it for the one I have now, I had the 2inch drop shackles and I removed the second leaf spring up from the bottom.
It dropped the truck about another inch and gave the truck a softer ride.
I will be doing this to the one I have now soon.

Chris

 

The only thing is, I do not want the compromised handling abilities that come with most "soft rides." I feel bad enough doing shackles but hopefully it won't effect things too much...

 

Lots of shackle's going in lately

 

It's the season for cruising and no one wants that FX4 look in the rear

 

Here's the link with the pics of the JLP 3" shackles and Belltech 2" shackles

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...ckles+belltech

 

Might be a good time to invest in one of Ruslows pan-hard bars

Do you have to worry about the top of the shackles making contact with the bed driving the truck?

 

Hey, don't forget to readjust your endlinks on the rear sway bar and buy new ones for the front if the front was dropped. Otherwise your sway bar won't be as effective. I'm buying the Panhard from Ruslow soon. The rear end may have too much play. Did you get drop shocks for the rear? With that much drop you're already in the compression phase of the shock and it could be bouncy.

 

Got all that covered :thumbsup;

Already did shorter front endlinks after i did my front drop, and the HD's don't come with rear sway bars, so i don't have to worry about those endlinks
i put on a helwig rear sway bar today though, and will shorten those endlinks when i get a chance to pick up some shorter grade 8 bolts.

For the rear shocks i will be ordering a set of So-Cal shock extenders.

Don't have to worry about clearance between the bed and shackle either, there's a good 1/2" between the top of the shackle and bed when the shackle is completely vertical and perpendicular to the bed

 

i know this is a old thread but here we go

i have hangers and shackles on my 99 f150 right now and need another 1 inch in rear.

seeing that the 3 inch JLP shackle is the same as the belltech 2 inch shackle i should get the 4 inch JLP shackle adn this should bring the rear down more about 3/4-1 inch right?

 

that sounds about right to me. it should work just fine. just ask JLP when u order it.