Hi! I have a 03 ranger with a 5.5" lift and an trying to lower the rear end suspension. I already took off the 2" block in the rear but because i took the tailgate off and have flared fenders there has been a lot of weight reduction in the rear end. Also when i bought the truck it has deaver leaf springs on it so i think that might be why its so stiff. Im really getting tired of bouncing around in my truck because my rear end suspension sucks. Not to mention my doors rattle when going over bumps now :( gotta figure out how to fix that too now.

 

you dont happen to have longer shackles do you? if not maybe take out a leaf?

 

I already took out a leaf and its still really stiff. Im not too mechanically savy so im not really sure what shackles are lol. all i know is that i wanna lower the rear end back to stock so it has the cali-lift look and also make the suspension in the rear a lot looser.

 

flip ur shackles and there mounts! ull love it! plus ull get more travel

 

Im going to take a look at it today but i dont think the mount can be flipped. I will post what happens later today.

 

BTW here are 2 pics of the shackles:





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deavers wont be stiff they should be m4d flexy. flipping your shackles will improve ride and give a drop.

 

With the pictures i provided, can i flip the shackles and their mounts?

 

flipping the rear shackles will give you a 2" rear drop

 

Yes.....your shackle hangers are still stock. If you flip those upside down, with the shackle ABOVE the hanger, you will drop about 2" and you'll have more rear droop. If you look at non-linked desert/prerunner trucks, almost all of them are setup in a similar fashion....shackle above hanger.

 

I take it i have to cut the rivets off in order to do so correct? Do i flip the shackle and hangar on both ends?

 

only on the rear, and yes you have to lose the rivits and put some bolts in there

 

Hmmm what is the best way to take em off?

 

ya i am planning on flipping my rear shackles also and i am curious on how to remove them...

 

you'll have to grind off the rivets, flip them then re bolt them up to the frame. You only do the back not the front.

 

k... thats what i thought... thanks

 

its probly gonna be alot easier if you remove the box

 

ok sweet ima try it tomorrow if time premits

 

Just please make sure you use grade 8 hardware to bolt them back in, with some type of lock washer or lock nut.

 

Yeah i definitly plan on it and will also be using some locktite :) can never be too safe lol