Ok so a buddy and I set out to install my new trail gear 5" rear springs to rid myself of my tired stock springs with 5" blocks <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> (hate blocks).... Sooo following the instructions I measured and remeasured the front spring hanger for 6" forward marked the location and proceded to cut the stock spring hanger off and then welded the new in place... Same for the rear.. I placed the rear shackle hanger 2" back from stock per the instructions... Bolted up the spring and put the weight of the truck on it shackle angle looked to be about 30 degrees (just like the instructions said it would..).. So we thought we were good bolted everything back up and got it rolling again.. Shackle angle was still about 30 degrees... Here is the problem. I jumped up in the bed and heard a clunck.. The shackles were now touching the rear of the frame!!! (towards the rear) and were stuck there!! It took both of us to pop the springs back into position.. and there they sat at 30 degrees again... So whats the deal??? I'm fairly new to toyos... Do I need longer shackles? move the rear shackle mount furher back?? Is this a common problem?? Thanks -Brian

pics? hard to belive that the springs will sit at 30* then lock itself to the frame than now sit back at 30* ?

I found a long time ago those measurements are an approximate. You could try longer shackles. You could move the back shackle hanger back. What I do now is just tack weld the hangers in place then set it on all fours. That way if I do not like the looks I can easily cut them off and reposition them.

I'll try to get pics up soon... We did just tack the hangers in place first and place the weight of the truck on the springs (weight of bed, empty plastic bed toolbox and space 33-12.50 tire + rim). the directions said the hangers should be at a 30 degree angle towards the back which they were. Then after everything was finished and the truck was back on the ground I jumped into the back of the truck and the shackles bottomed out to the rear...

I could see 30 degrees from horizontal doing that, but not from the vertical...

Welder was a cheap flux core.. hence the white flacky nastiness.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

2 inch longer shackles may solve it....

instead, what if you move the front leaf pack mount forward 1.5"? That would get the shackle near vertical.....it may settle some in a month anyways.

edit....looking at that last pic of your truck's profile....it's gonna sag down in a month so might as well plan on longer shackles.

those measurements are for use with all of trail gear components.. so id say longer shackles those are too short.

You need longer shackles, they need to be long enough to accomodate the length change in the springs as they compress:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/Shackles.shtml#FAQ2

The stock length shackles work fine for the stock springs (relatively flat), but for higher arched and longer springs, you need a longer shackle.

And as far as the forward hanger location, I like to measure the old and new springs and move the hanger forward an amount equal to the different in forward half length of the new springs. This ensure the axle will be centered in the wheel well.