Opinions wanted on ladder bar shackles

I'm running L&L ladder bars on my '77 F150 4X4 with stock height springs and 35" tires. These have a solid heim up front and U-bolts holding it on the axle tube. This truck is a street rod so off-road articulation is not a concern. Which is better for planting the tires, leave the set-up alone or add shackles to the front? I was reading lots of different forums with lots of opinions but now I'm more confused than when I started. Anybody have a some straight up information? Thanks.

Stince it's a pavement punder, leave it like it is for the best street traction. If you use it more off road then that is where the shackle deal would be better.

Thanks Karl!

Could you post some picture of how you mounted these on the front and rear? I bought a used set awhile back but I havent bolted them up yet.

No problem. You need to cut the ears off the factory lift blocks if you have them still as the U-bolts rest beside the lift block and spring:



The mounting plate on the front is pretty straight forward:

Thanks,

I was wondering if they mounted on the inside of the block or the outside. I couldnt figure it out with the ears still on the lift blocks. I appreciate the pictures. Any other mods that you needed? How high did you mount your front brackets? Thanks again, Scott

By the way clean truck! I like it!

Thanks, she is a loooonnnnggggggg work in progress. I have a SWB frame that is all welded up (all factory holes) and welding the body lift on. When I get everything sorted out I'll transfer all the running gear. In the mean time to answer your question this pic shows the height of the plate on the frame:

Perfect! Thank you.

Did you notice quite a bit of difference with them? How is the ride now? Have you noticed any binding?

It definately eliminated most of the wheel hop, I can get some chatter once in a while but not bad. Now regarding binding, because it's a pavement pounder I don't work the suspension much so for me it's not bad. I know it's not a great answer but I was prepared for some loss of articulation in exchange for helping with spring wrap.