Level with 1” Drop Shackles & Axle Block Removal

[artificial_airspeed]

2021 Lariat Sport FX4 | 2.7TT EB

MAXTRAC Suspension 1” Drop Shackles

Axle Blocks Removed

Plenty of thread left on the U-Bolts. They are about 3/4” longer beneath the axle with the blocks removed. I don’t see any reason to replace them with the 2WD version (shorter bolts).

Geometry change resulted in a 2.25” total drop in the rear and 1” raise in the front. Still has about 1.5” of total rake for light duty towing and loads.

I like the look a lot better (stink bug wasn’t doing it for me…) The steering feels slightly lighter and more responsive with the angle change as well. Suspension isn’t as floaty/bouncy with normal driving, more planted. I’ll go do some off roading this weekend and see how everything feels. Easy, pretty cheap mod if it’s your jam.

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[nezff]

so just removing the blocks wasnt enough?
looks good, I want to do mine with the block removal, but worried about pinion angle.

 

[Bryan Simon]

I did the block removal and shackles a few months ago.
I started with the shackles (‘cause the shorter u-bolts hadn’t arrived yet.
Shackles (1.25” MaxxTrac) only provided me with a better view out the rear window, and the little drop was noticeable immediately once I got in for a ride.
A couple weeks later, removed the blocks and changed the axle stops to the 2-wd version.
This made a bigger difference overall.
Truck is nearly level
Truck feels heavier in the back, and loose gravel and washboard not nearly as “hoppy”
Front came up about 1/2”.
Absolutely no ill effects or vibration, more comfortable to drive since I’m not always going down hill.

Never liked the ‘stink bug’ of most pickups, particularly a 4x4.
(IMO, 4x4 should be dead nuts level, but not necessarily raised.)

I should note that I have a SuperCab with 8ft box. (164” wb), so some weight up front moved to the back, and it seems nicer to drive.

Stock height with liners below

 

[Rockman5159]

so just removing the blocks wasnt enough?
looks good, I want to do mine with the block removal, but worried about pinion angle.

The blocks are taperd some .I dont know if it was necessary ,but I put 2or 2.5 degree shims on mine .

 

[mredwin25]

I installed the last gen oem ford perf shackles, I figured if the other aftermarket use the same part numbers then these should fit also, they did

 

[diambo4life]

@mredwin25 Side view?

@artificial_airspeed Looks good. That's what I did to mine as well. I did add B6 shocks to mine in the rear. It just made the rear feel more"stable" I think.

 

[mredwin25]

I’ll take a couple later today, was thinking about getting bilstein 5100’s.

 

[Ranual]

I removed the blocks on mine as well. I still have a slight rake. I also noticed slight uptick in gas mileage.

 

[mredwin25]

@mredwin25 Side view?

there you go

 

[magg992001]

I removed the blocks on mine as well. I still have a slight rake. I also noticed slight uptick in gas mileage.

Did you need to use shorter U-bolts and any kind of angle shim to keep pinion angle? Thanks

 

[Ranual]

Did you need to use shorter U-bolts and any kind of angle shim to keep pinion angle? Thanks

I don't know. I had a company that specializes in lifting/leveling remove the axle blocks.

A previous poster stated:

 

[Svt54]

@mredwin25 Your truck looks amazing. Can I ask what your wheel and tire combo and offset is? Does it rub?

I removed the rear block on mine, and I want the offroad look, but my last truck had a 6 inch lift on 35s, and I was tired of climbing in and out. I think you nailed it.

 

[mredwin25]

@mredwin25 Your truck looks amazing. Can I ask what your wheel and tire combo and offset is? Does it rub?

I removed the rear block on mine, and I want the offroad look, but my last truck had a 6 inch lift on 35s, and I was tired of climbing in and out. I think you nailed it.

Thanks bud, these are the specs 20X9 ET01
Tires 33x12.50
Slight rub when on full lock steering but does not bother me as it doesn’t affect how it drives

 

[joelle king]

Looks great

Kodi​

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