Lowered 97 ext cab 2", bottoming issue

[lucky_7]

Hey guys,

A few weeks ago I installed the belltech lowering shackles on my 97 gmc. I really like the look to the truck, but, I now have a bottoming issue I cant seem to find. I'm worried its the shocks running out of travel. The passenger side shock looks like it has plenty of room, but the driver side looks to only have 3-4" left before bottom. Any suggestions on new shocks that would be the correct length?

[Tom]

2" lowering with no weight in the bed is no different then a stock truck with weight out back going down the road. The stock shocks should not bottem out before the bumpstops hit.

[lucky_7]

Makes sense but why the big bang now, truck has never had a rough ride. Now its like speedbumps are everywhere...Ill have to do some more looking. Maybe I have a busted shock?

[Tom]

I seem to recall some clearancing needed to run shackles on my 78, perhaps its something along those lines with yours? Is the shackle moving and contacting something? Otherwise I'd look for something broken like you said. My truck is 6" low in the rear with shock extenders and no issues. The extenders added 4" so my shocks are always 2" compressed like yours, going on 11yrs now.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Tom

I seem to recall some clearancing needed to run shackles on my 78, perhaps its something along those lines with yours? Is the shackle moving and contacting something? Otherwise I'd look for something broken like you said. My truck is 6" low in the rear with shock extenders and no issues. The extenders added 4" so my shocks are always 2" compressed like yours, going on 11yrs now.

Agreed. Check to make sure the shackles are not hitting the bed support bracing under the floor.

[Cape Codder]

I have 2" shackles on my truck and with three people in cab and my boat trailer hooked up the shackles hit the bed floor. Sounds worse than it is.

[Kudzupatch]

If you have an exposed shaft, put a zip tie around the shaft of the shock, near the shock body. Go for a drive and once it "bottoms out" stop and see where the zip tie is. If it is the shock it will be at the top of the shaft. If not you will see just how far the shock compressed

[lucky_7]

Thanks guys, Ill take another look tonight. So far I haven't found any marks, dents, scuffs, or tell tail signs on something hitting.

[Tom]

Heck just have someone jump up and down in the bed while your looking.

[lucky_7]

I found it, Its the leaf spring clasp/tie. Not sure what you call it. The thing that holds all the springs together. Anyway it hits the bottom of the bed. Odd that nobody else has this problem..

[LT7A]

That's a new one to me. I have 2" drop shackles (LMC) and no interference. Mine's a 4x4 that I don't beat on and wanted to tighten up the tire to fender gaps (the shoe test for MCM fans). But the 4x4 started out higher in the first place.

Is your rear spring arching negatively for the clamp to hit the bed, or is it catching on the corner where the bottom of the bed meets the bed side? I'm trying to picture how that part hits.

[lucky_7]

This is the clearance between the back spring and the bed cross support. Both sides hit. Speedbumps are definalty not my freind...

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by lucky_7

This is the clearance between the back spring and the bed cross support. Both sides hit. Speedbumps are definalty not my freind...

I see what you mean. I doubt that thing is terribly essential unless it ties in somehow to the lower spring. You could consider cutting off the two upper arms of the clamp where they are above the spring. It appears they're not doing anything up there anyway. I assume they are attached underneath and not held on by clamping action or they'd be rattling all over the place with that spring pack.

[lucky_7]

I think they are intended to help with rebound, the top of the clip is supposed to keep the top leaf from separating from the other leafs, leaving it by itself to absorb rebound.

I found this:

http://www.suspensionspecialists.com/tech0004.html#9

Now, this raises the question, should I fix the spaced clip? According to the website in the link above, there should only be about a 3/32 between the top of the top leaf, and the clip.

[CH3VY1972]

I would notch the bed support, and reinforce it by welding some 1/8" plate. Even if it may seem that the spring clip isnt doing much... it could cause other issues. I could be wrong but notching would be logical imo

[Tom]

Originally Posted by CH3VY1972

I would notch the bed support, and reinforce it by welding some 1/8" plate.

I've never heard of someone doing that, the reinforcing that is. Even belltech in their instructions for installing shackles tells you to cut the bed support but no reinforcement.

[CH3VY1972]

Originally Posted by Tom

I've never heard of someone doing that, the reinforcing that is. Even belltech in their instructions for installing shackles tells you to cut the bed support but no reinforcement.

I'm a fabricator what can I say

[Terrick down Under]

X2 on the "reinforce " the notch even in the bed rail.

[lucky_7]

Thanks guys, I will give it a try.

[lucky_7]

Ive been thinking. What if i installed the front leaf spring shackles, would that drop the angle of the spring back to normal. I know the rear of the spring is higher, but maybe the angle would help. If so, ill add the front spindles for an overall 2/4 drop and that would be all I wanted...