Hey... so I think I should get down to the bottom of this.. It's making me worry again.

So.. issue is, ever since I removed the superlift block and replaced it with 4" skyjacker's people have been noticing that "the rear axle looks really close to the front" and other similar comments... and it's true, it looks further forward. I've been told it is normal with the lift leafsprings for the axle to get pulled forward a bit.. but I don't know if this is normal or not.
To give you all a better understanding of my setup, to help diagnose the problem, here's a summary of what I have done to my susp front and rear.
Front: standard superlift components + prekey mod.
Rear: stock 1.25" block + shackles + 4" skyjackers.

I've gone through old pictures... when I just had the superlift done and was running only the superlift blocks on the rear, in combination with the 1.25" block the axle appeared to be dead centre. Then when I added the belltech shackles it looks like it pulled it a bit off centre. I think that may be normal because I've noticed other people's axles look similar with the shackles, shane's (FX4wannabe) being one example that comes to mind. Then When I removed the superlift block and put in the 4" skyjackers that's when things went really off.

Any ideas?? I'd love to hear some suggestions or better yet, someone who really knows his **** to say "oh ya, that's normal. Nothin wrong there.".... I'm now considering going back to the stacked blocks just to bring the rear end back down by an inch and get it back over to wear it should be until I resolve the issue. :(

Here's a timeline of side shots of the truck to see the change in axle position based on what's done to the suspension.

Superlift only: factory 1.25" block + superlift block (3.5"?)
truckpics158.jpg?t=1261447384

Superlift + Prekey and Belltech Shackles (added approx. 1.5 - 2" front and rear)
100_0227.jpg?t=1261447553

Current: Superlift + Prekey.Shackles.. Removed Superlift block, replaced with 4" skyjackers.. which added probably about an inch or so to the previous height of the rear end.
100_0340.jpg?t=1261447681

The mechanic said it was rather difficult to get in place and that it was pulling the axle forward and thought I should double check on the forums to make sure it was the correct setup etc. I'll give a few shots of the actual suspension if it'll help.. and If need be, I guess I'll have to just go back to the block and stock leafsprings until I can sort it out... :(

100_0343.jpg?t=1261447862
100_0346.jpg?t=1261447899
100_0347.jpg?t=1261447919
100_0349.jpg?t=1261447949

 

I wouldn't worry about it. Based on the pictures, everything appears to be correct. The part number on the leaf springs is correct too.

Maybe someone who has the 4" lift leaf springs can tell you whether or not the axle location is normal. I have the 6" lift leaf springs and my axle is not pulled that far forward, but I am not running the same set-up.

 

Yes thats how it should be. Think about the natural arc of the suspension movement. Think about it as if nothing was holding onto the axle except the driveshaft. The more you move the axle away from the truck, the closer it gets to the center of the truck. Those springs do that to keep from overextending the driveshaft. It would be a lot less noticable without the lift shackles.

 

Ya... I'm thinking maybe its the combination of the shackles and 4" leaf springs since it seems that the shackles pulled it forward a bit as well? Well if people seem to think it's normal that have a similar setup or know their **** I'll leave it.. otherwise I may want to remove them for now and run blocks again because i'd rather cause damage to my stock leaf springs than my drivetrain.

 

Yes, it is. The axle would go back closer to center if you removed the shackles, but you'd lose the height you have now. If it's not an issue, I wouldn't worry about it. There's not much you can do.

 

^^x2

Mine is the same way with the 6's.



RCD shackle too.

 

Thank you RazorsEDGE!I had thought about that, visualized the travel as the back is lifted higher. I just don't know enough about the mechanics of a truck to know whether or not that was good for it or not

 

Thank you too seed... bad *** truck... that's the serious rake!! A lot of people on this site are rake-haters, surprised you get away with that here . People almost seem to want the back end dipping lower than the front?

 

I don't mind a little rake but that was horrible, 600s slap sagged out. It has been fixed with 750s.



ps-Please put your flares back on!

 

EDIT: I suddenly feel like I wish I had an RCD... seems like life is more fun with RCD... or has anyone seen an SAS'd 08 Ranger yet?

Even if I wanted to I couldn't possibly do it... It would involve spending money cause I'd have to buy all new plastic rivets and plugs cause the bulk of them didn't make it during the flare delete process.

No my next step is to hack my exhaust off in front of the rear axle and create a side exit exhaust tucked in just behind my right side step.

And the next step after that.... I don't know yet... replace my broken fogs... smoke my tails maybe?... #1 bars, a BL and 35's in the spring??? who knows... depends how much money the bank teller has available when she reads my note.

"Do not panic, do not hit any silent alarms. Simply place all the money in the bag and act as if nothing happened."

 

That sucks about the flares. They were nice.

 

You can have em.. I think your truck (and mine) look sick without... Yours just looks better cause there are no holes, scratches, or rivet... ish things sticking out.. but that'll change someday for me.. my fenders will look just like they came from an xl or xlt

 

Yo how much you want for them? And how far are you from Ottawa?

 

Ha, I feel like if anyone wanted them, I should post pics of them first. All the plastic connectors would need replacing, especially the plugs that are on the inside of the wheel well cause I found the easiest way to remove them was to just cut the top off with my sidecutters and then punch the shank through the hole. Maybe half the connectors that went into the visible holes on the panel would need replacing.. I'll clean them up and post em up here and see what the best offer is. But I'm gonna wait a bit first to see if I get any hassle from cops. In ontario you aren't supposed to have any part of the tire exceeding the fenders or some other means of protection to keep it from being exposed blah blah.... too many people with porsches and and lambo's worried about their 20000 dollar paint jobs... I guess I would be too..

And I think I'm a good... 4 - 5 hours away.

 

Aight. Or even if you want to trade for my FX4 ones. I wouldn't mind driving a few hours to see your mini monster truck hehe And steal your rims, tires, cap, SL and front grille :) lol