here goes the instructions
http://www.belltech.com/extras/docs/BBGC/6419.pdf


honestly i would get some stock shackles brakckets and do it right. also those are grade 5 bolts even worse not grade 8. I lowered my f150 in 1998 and NO ISSUES to date. You need to go to a junk yard and get some stock shackle brackets. You also drilled thru the 2 inch hanger brackets. Id fill those holes up and replace the front brackets.

 

So it looks like all I screwed up is the hangers. The bolts are grade 8. The shackles I have look almost identical to the belltech ones.

 

1) you need to take the rear shackle bracket you have now and replace the front brackets
2) you then need to get the oem rear shackle hanger and reinstall it.

with 285 35 22 in front im at 30.25 from ground to fenderlip
with 285 45 22 in rear im at 31 1/8 from ground to fenderlip

 

Ok so the shackles go in the front? That's not how I am reading it in the instructions. I understand the whole hanger deal, but what's up with the leaf spring spacer?

 

no the hangers go in the front the shackles go in the rear. leaf spring spacer is for pinion angle.

 

Thanks man, I feel really stupid. Lesson learned though and thankfully no real harm done yet. I do appreciate the advise though, we will see how everything works out.