2" Shackles For Dummies

[spikesputnik]

Well I've posted quite a few queries on this site about this, listened to members like Zembonez and others, got up my courage and jumped into the kiddie pool! This was my experience at this basic, it turns out, procedure. Your results may vary. A 1/2" electric impact (really speeded things up), 1/2" ratchet and extensions, torque wrench,13/16" or 22mm deep impact sockets and box ends and 3/4" wrenches/ deep sockets. A helper helps, but could be done without I guess.

1) jack up by pumpkin as Zembonez suggested, and up on strands, front chocked well

2) the hitch must come off with 4 frame nut and bolts, 4 captive nut-bolts to frame and bumper. This is the view with the hitch still in the way

 

then gone (actually shackle already off..)

 

 

3) remove the 4 rear bed bolts, loosen 1/2" next 2 forward and leave the front 2 tight; all have captive nuts

4)remove the 4 shackle nuts

5)with the bottom shackle bolt out after just barely unweighting it, jack up the diff untill the spring eyes push the bed up enough to remove the upper bolts- about 1". Some say instead to fold the flange or that neither fold nor lift is necessary, but something was for me. This is the spring eye touching the bed seam before lifting it any and the bolt ain't going further out due to frame interferance

 

5)switch out shackles both sides then reverse order. I put a bit of waterproof grease on the shackles steel sleeve and the bolt shaft, left nuts off until back on the ground, torqued them 37#, bed bolts 63# plus locktite, hitch 80#. The Belltech shackles look almost OEM quality and I like the steel sleeve vs the stock plastic bush in the dampered end. The spring eyes had a spacer or washer on the right side of both eyes-asymmetrical observation FWIW. Glad GM was first listed if not in large print. Dodge parts on my truck, dammit and the instructions pictured a Ford .

 

 

There is now 10mm gap between the seam and spring eye once bed was bolted back up. 8mm on the other side. Crooked POS!

 

 

 

It took me and a "monkey" about 2 hours with a very casual pace with photo ops too. Which is also how many hours the shops quoted. And best thing is that it gave me and excuse to go and get a good jack, stands and cheapy 1/2 electric impact and a couple extra hand tools for less than the shop would have charged me! And I know it was done right, and on my schedule.

Well that and the new stance. Not quite this nor this http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x16q0a_wa...oul-train_music, it does sit level now and I'm glad I did it!

[brims]

Nice writeup. Looks like it'll be helpful to others.

[GMC_ON_20FORZ]

yea very very nice man, that helps alot, thank you very much!

[Wacko2007]

I ordered this kit and havent had time to install yet

I did read the directions and i didnt see anything about having to remove the hitch!!!!!!

That sounds like it sucks. I have a 07 denali is it the same design?

Also do u have before and after pics?

thanks

[spikesputnik]

wacko2007-The hitch is no big deal at all- 8 bolts. Don't know about the Denali-maybe it has a frame integrated hitch??

The trick, if there is one, is to just barely unload the bolts so they are easily extracted and replaced. Not too much jack up, not too much gravity down-neutral axle. Well that and loosening the bed. But one member(sk1er18 I think) says his Denali(?) didn't need the bed loosened...FWIW.

Pics soon. Camera has been lonely recently.