Drop Shackles For The 07-08

GMC_ON_20FORZ · January 19, 2009

i'm interested in putting in some drop shackles cause i want to drop the back end 2 inches to give it a level look, so has anyone done this to kinda give me some pointers. whats the best way to get bolts out of the factory shackle...cause theres not enough room to pull them out, do i have to remove the trailer hitch package? if anyone had a write up for doing this that would be awsome.

97SierraGMC · January 19, 2009

i put a set on at work but it was last year..

if i remember correctly we had to take the hitch off, and im pretty sure the bolt came out that way.

08wsilverado · January 19, 2009

I installed some on an 08 crew cab and i had to undo the six screws that hold the bed and have someone slightly lift the bed on one side as i removed the top screw.

66nova · January 19, 2009

I am pretty sure Zembonez has 2in drop shackles on his truck. But I'm not sure when he's coming back

Wingnut · January 19, 2009

I installed some on an 08 crew cab and i had to undo the six screws that hold the bed and have someone slightly lift the bed on one side as i removed the top screw.

That's what I did. Just loosened the front 4 bed bolts and removed the rear 4...Jacked the bed up a couple of inches and they popped right out.

Takes about 30 minutes if you're using air tools.

GMC_ON_20FORZ · January 21, 2009

will i have to have the axle jacked up?

Zembonez · January 21, 2009

will i have to have the axle jacked up?

I have them on mine.

You need to jack up the truck (wheels off of the ground) and place jack stands under the frame securely. Once that is done, loosen and remove all bed bolts except the front two (leave them tight) and lift the rear of the bed while somebody places a wood block under the rear bed mounts. This will give you enough space to remove the top bolts in the shackles. Place a floor jack under the center of the rear end and jack it up until it just touches. Unbolt the shackle on one side and replace it with the new one... using the jack to raise the rear axle enough to get the bolts back in. DO NOT TIGHTEN BOLTS. Just start the nuts on and go do the other side. When all bolts are back in (including bed bolts), put the truck back on the ground before tightening the shackle bolts.

You should be happy now.

GMC_ON_20FORZ · January 21, 2009

thanx zembonez that helped a lot, but one more question.... could i just cut the factory bolts out and then just buy new ones and put them in from the opposite direction so that way i wouldn't have to mess with the bed? is there anything wrong with that?