ok gang gonna order drop shackles from slammed 1 in a week or two question is how do you take the overlaod spring out,and is it hard to do? also if i take it out will i have to change my shocks? and last ? is i have a 21ft pontoon boat will it sag for me or rub the tires any opions will help thanks

Removing the overload is pretty simple. Support the weight of the truck on the frame, then undo the ubolts that attach the springs to the axle. Then either raise the truck, or lower the axle to gain space between the axle and springs. Then there is a bolt that runs in the center of the leaf pac, remove it and then remove the overload. You may have to modify the bolt after you remove the overload, nothing major, you'll see what I'm talking about when you do it. You won't have to change shocks, and you won't have to worry about the tires rubbing the body unless you have different wheels that stick ouside of the body alot, even then it would just depend on the OD of the tire. Your axle will hit the bumpstop before the shocks bottom out. I would'nt recommend for you to remove the overload since your goint to be pulling a fairly heavy boat. If you do, it would be wise to invest in a pair of air bags to help when your towing a load. Another thing you might consider is removing the center leaf instead of the overload. You won't lose as much payload and towing capacity that way.

there are 2 nuts on that center bolt in the leaf pack that are not easy to see at first.
do 1 side at a time, and block the front wheels good.

Don't remove the overload spring. Like Heath said take the center leaf instead. Also unless you have a lot more tongue weight than you should on your trailer it wont make any difference. There is about a 1/2" roll pin between the over load and the bottom spring. Pain in the tail.

Thanks for the advice of which spring to remove. I'll be having the drop shaclkes installed and a spring removed on my RC/SB 4x4 this week.

Good info...thanx to all.

quote:

Originally posted by SeaSoldier:
Thanks for the advice of which spring to remove. I'll be having the drop shaclkes installed and a spring removed on my RC/SB 4x4 this week.

If you've ever turned a wrench you can change the shackles. It's a very simple swap, you might consider doing it yourself to save some money. Removing the spring is a little more involved, so if your worried about that it'd probaly be best to have it done.

sorry to post on an old thread, but I was wondering if anyone has any pics of the springs and can help identify the spring that should be removed. I don't do alot of towing/hauling so I'm not that concerned about that.

the overload spring is the big fat one.


no smart remarks needed...

its the one turned upside down

dont forget to put on some deep creep, and get some new U bolts and do one side at a time, or else you will be there all day trying to line up those centering pins.

when I did my lowering and the install of my CalTracs at the same time, my axle did move, I had a come along and hooked it up under the frame and it worked perfectly to get the pin lined up again..that was an easy fix..

yep i used a tow strap lol

How much will it lower the rear end if you take the overload spring out?

I got an 04 single cab short bed with 2" lowering shackles, but it didn't get it as low as I wanted it.

I want it even with the front and I don't tow andthing and don't haul and thing either.