Not 100% on the body lift, Not a huge fan of them.

 

When you say TURNS, do you mean 7 full 360* rotation of the bolt, or 7 swings of the wrench?

 

7 full rotations of the bolt. But it was over 2 or 3 different times of turning the bolt, jack down, drive around the block, measure, repeat.

 

On the shackles, aren't you putting them in the same location, as far as the bolts go? Or are there different locations to bolt to the frame? I have been thinking about this, but have not looked under there.

 

Yea you are just installing a longer shackle in place of the stock shackle, to push the leaf spring and axle down farther from the body/frame to give you lift. The trick is to make sure you actually get the axle to drop down the 1.5' or 2', and not just absorb the lift by flattening out the spring.

 

I see what you mean, to a point. You are pushing it into shape with the jack, but how does it stay any differently when the jack is removed and the weight of the vehicle is pushing down, causing a reaction at the axle pushing up, and working to flatten the spring that is connected at the same locations either way?

Not doubting that there may be something to it, because I have not done it, but I cannot see it in my mind.
Your blazer in your sig looks awesome btw.

 

I guess what is to stop it from pushing back / flattening out like the right side of the pic you posted?

 

The spring rate of the leaf, and the force on the shackle bolt and mount keep everything in position. The shackle doesnt move, keeping the spring eye fixed. Then you pushed the axle down with the jack so that the spring eye meets the new shackle at the same angle as stock. Thats where the design of the leaf spring comes into play. The reason why the leaf can be flattened out is because if you do install improperly and you dont drop the axle down, just like how you can stand on the rear bumper and bounce, you can flatten the leaf during the install. Then the bad angle absorbs this flex, and keeps it in a flexed position.

What youre asking is the same for stock vs with shackles...The leaf spring is the suspension in the rear, so it supports the weight of the rear end, keeping its arch. The key is that the shackle angle remains the same.

 

Ahh, thanks. I believe I understand at this point. The Shackle does not move? It just acts as a vertical spacer?

I guess I have seen so many pictures of shackles installed like the right side of your picture that I thought that for the most part the shackle was there to provide additional flex down from the body, and sit the way the right side of your pic showed when there was weight on it.