Reverse Shackle w/SD X-Code springs on '97....help....anyone?

[pitownpi]

Preparing to order everything for a reverse shackle job....finally.
To be honest, I'd rather drive up to someone in So Cal, like I did at John Wood's and have them do the job for me....but haven't been successful in finding experience yet.
My challenge has been a front winch/bumper that I installed years ago when I did the IC.

From what I can tell, I'll have to cut a little "hanger material" away on inside of frame to get said hangers to fit...so it's a custom job.


I did see these custom ones. and was thinking that since my front hitch already has a crossmember....I could go this route....just order two custom hangers from someone like...Hard Knox Fab works, or get someone in So Cal to fab a set for me!!!:)


I'm going with X Code Springs and have the following part numbers.

1. Are they correct part numbers?
2. Are there any other Ford parts I will need?
3. Are they available cheaper that what I have found so far...where?
4. W/X code springs is 3" lift enough, you don't want to hit bump stop
5. HOW FAR FORWARD DOES THE HANGER GO WHEN YOU USE X-CODE SPRINGS VERSES OEM???? ie most kits put hanger bolts into old holes, with SD springs of any code you have a longer spring pack and have to install the hangers forward of the holes...MY CHALLENGE!!

6000 LBS X Code Springs:
2C34-5310-AFA,OR 2C3Z5310AF $159.38 ea

U-Bolts:F81Z-5705-ZA $16.39 ea

Nuts:
N805480S426
Part number N805480S426 superseded by part number W520115S440. $1.30
each.

Total with shipping, $455.42

• I assume the new Bilsteins I just put on won't work, need longer re-valved ones?
• w/3" RS Kit do I need longer brake lines?
• what else do I need?
• Who in So Cal can just do this if I show up with parts?.......can someone fab independent hangers or should I just order a SKY kit and cut off the crossmember?
• Who is the 'John Wood' of powerstoke suspension that offers drive up same day service? What that's not available? WOW!:blush:
  

Thanks for any advice, pictures, links, criticisms
Kindest Regards,
Pi

[rusty1161]

Have you tried talking to Cary Towery of www.ctperformanceinc.com ? He is on some other forums, like www.powerstrokenation.com as OBSWIZ, and is in Wellington, NV. He has more experience with this swap than anyone out there, sells almost all of the parts to do it, including custom valved Bilsteins. He can also point you in the direction of an 05 coil sprung Dana 60 swap, too. That might eliminate the mods around your winch mount.

Good luck.

Rusty

[mattymx]

Also get in contact with Off Road Unlimited in Burbank. They did my RSK.

[pitownpi]

thanks,
tried ct..he blew me off, was even going to drive up there and buy stuff.said he's busy till summer, didn't even want to sell me anything, weird....been trying to pry info out of him via PM on other site 20% success. answers only 1 out of 5 questions..like the knowledge is sacred or something.........donno,I think I'm just not IN WITH HIS CROWD...... only been to John Wood's and local Yucca Valley Ford....give John Wood's a 9.5 and local stealership a minus 10....CT just gets a BIG ZERO.

That's why I'm trying here ASKING THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
John Wood's told me about this site...why I joined and am asking questions...
maybe I'll fail again here...:p

thanks for input,
I'm still thinking about ORU's kit, but seems SKY kit is beefier?, but then again, I'm going to maybe cut anyhow? It's not rocket science really...I hate welding...but got all the stuff even TIG/MIG/STICK..... fabbing some front hangers is no problem it's all the rest...spaceout, axle centered, pointing down the road...
I've been looking and seems alot of doods get it all wrong but still call it good and drive around!
I was hoping with the forward positioning of the SD springs, there might be enough room to actually put front hangers on..and still drive around. I could then get the hangers PRE-INSTALLED be it a modified kit....and/or a custom hanger...then drive it to someone to help to the rest...just a wish.....
I guess finding 'John Woods Quality' finally in So. Cal.... was just an anomaly!!!:(
Ultimately, I need a 'wrenching buddy' ....I can offer XR650R complete rebuilds including splitting the case!, got toy prerunners...22re.....

[2005F250]

Ya I hear ya on the ct thing. One thing with this site is that its active member count isn't that much so not to much info going threw the site. Are you really set on using superduty leafs? If you go that route it does require some cutting and welding on a truck without a front end setup like yours (Bumper mounts). It still looks like you can do a standard RSK and re use the OBS leafs. When it comes to ORU vs. Sky I would use the sky kit. The metal is thicker and it's $200 cheaper. If you venture over to Powerstrokenation.com there is a bunch of info over there and more active members with more information to share.

[desertwheeler]

http://www.socaps.com/1994-1997-7-3l...installed.html

Weld-On Spring Hanger Pair

Should help you out some. That hitch is right where you need to put a front hanger soo here is an idea. On pirate4x4 i have seen spring mounts with 4 holes for different shackle angles which they would probably have to custom make for the wide springs, mount that at the right height under your hitch and brace it, buy the rear shackles and tracbar relocation kit along with brake lines and your good to go. i think that would be easier than trying to make a Sky kit fit right. Shoot me a pm if you want since i dont always check here if i can help anymore.

[Newman]

It would probably be easier to remove you winch mount and install the RSK per directions then modify your winch mount to fit. Proper placement of the front axle is kinda important.

[desertwheeler]

With what he wants to do their aren't any proper instructions really.

[Newman]

IIRC for SD springs you move the hanger 3 5/8" farther forward. You also have to clearence the bracket due to the military wrap on the SD springs. All in all its not a hard job to do. We did it on my Dad's 96 that already had a RSK we just moved the hanger for the SD springs. BTW it rides night and day better!

[desertwheeler]

I had to move it 5 inches and he clearance was tight for 35's. What did ur dad run for tires? CaryT did 4 inches and said his tires rubbed so that's why I did 5inches.

[Newman]

35" BFG KM2 on 17 inch wheels. PowerStrokeNation - View Single Post - Lets see those white OBS beauties....

[desertwheeler]

Well for me it was tight with 5 inches forward on full articulation. So If it worked for u that's cool. I moved the hanger about 5 inches. Unless u measrued off of different spots. But yeah I ran 10 inch travel fox shocks and it would travel almost all of it and the front rode soo nice I thought it rode better then a 99-04 SD

[rancherstroker6]

Here's some info on the different SD springs:

You could use these codes that would vary the front lift height:
S — 2C34-5310-AAB, 4,000 lb.
T — 2C34-5310-ABB, 4,400 lb.
U — 2C34-5310-ACB, 4,800 lb.
V — 2C34-5310-ADB, 5,200 lb.
W — 2C34-5310-AEA, 5,600 lb.
X — 2C34-5310-AFA, 6,000 lb.

Most use a V-Code Front and B-Code rear for best ride quality. My best guess at the best approach would be, like others have mentioned, to take the winch off and do the RSK then re-fit the winch back on. Depending on where you're cutting material off the hanger, just make sure it's not going to affect the strength of the hanger, considering the heavy front end of a PSD and the amount of stress it will see. Just my .02.

[Newman]

Well for me it was tight with 5 inches forward on full articulation. So If it worked for u that's cool. I moved the hanger about 5 inches. Unless u measrued off of different spots. But yeah I ran 10 inch travel fox shocks and it would travel almost all of it and the front rode soo nice I thought it rode better then a 99-04 SD

I guess I should have put a disclaimer in my reply: my dad's truck is just a DD. It may see a little dirt when we go camping or train watching but other than that it cruises around on the pavement.