Reverse shackle installtion question

[codeman]

I understand what and how this is supposed to go, but my situation is a little different. Presently, I have my bare frame upside down on a cart. I have the fangs and sway bar properly located and clamped in place. I have the shackles bolted together and roughly in their location. I'm installing new alcan springs with 3" of lift and have them in place (loosely) between the fangs & shackles. I have not drilled the frame for the shackle bushings yet.

Since the frame is upside down, without the weight of the axles, how far away is this from full droop? I have the frame resting level on the cart. Can I locate the bushings by obtaining the recommended 5 degree angle with everything as it sits now? Anyone ever done it like this???

Or, should I attach the fang assembly and wait until I have the rest of the frame fab work done, flip it over, preload with weight and then drill for the bushings?????

 

[ihpartsjeff]

Or, should I attach the fang assembly and wait until I have the rest of the frame fab work done, flip it over, preload with weight and then drill for the bushings?????

Yes do this as this is how we do it here. Sometimes the drilling on the shackle holes through the frame doesn't happen until being far into the project. The longer you wait to do this the more accurate your shackle location will be. You'd be surprised how much leafsprings settle in after all is said and done.