1987–1998 Ford F-250 / F-350 – 4-Inch Rear Leaf Spring Hanger & Shackle Lowering Kit

Professional-Grade 4" Rear Drop for OBS Ford Trucks | Heavy-Duty Bolt-On Suspension Upgrade

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The 1987–1998 Ford F-250 and F-350 trucks—known today as the legendary OBS Fords—are some of the most desirable heavy-duty pickups on the road. Whether you’re building a clean street truck, a slammed diesel, a dually show rig, or a modernized workhorse, one of the most impactful upgrades you can make is lowering the suspension the correct way. This 4-Inch Rear Leaf Spring Hanger & Shackle Kit is engineered precisely for the 1987–1998 F-250 and F-350 platform, providing a clean, functional, and reliable 4-inch rear drop without sacrificing strength, load capacity, or drivability.

This kit achieves a true 4" lowering by adjusting the mounting points of your factory leaf springs:

• Front Hanger: Moves the front leaf spring eye up 2 inches

• Rear Shackle: Moves the rear leaf spring eye up 1 inch

• Combined Drop: Delivers an accurate, geometry-correct 4 inches of rear lowering

This method lowers your truck using the factory leaf springs the right way—preserving comfort, maximizing suspension travel, and maintaining all the working capability that Ford’s heavy-duty trucks are known for.

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Perfect Fit for OBS Ford Trucks (1987–1998)

This 4-inch rear lowering kit is specifically designed to fit:

Ford F-250 (1987–1998)

• 2WD

• Gas or diesel

• Single rear wheel

Ford F-350 (1987–1998)

• 2WD

• Gas or diesel

• Single rear wheel 

These trucks share the same rear leaf spring mounting framework, making this kit the trusted solution for OBS Ford lowering.

Does NOT fit 4x4 models.

If you need lowering solutions for OBS 4x4, F-150, or other model years, I can generate those descriptions too.

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Why Lower Your F-250 / F-350 Using a Hanger + Shackle System?

The leaf spring suspension on Ford’s heavy-duty trucks is designed to haul, tow, and endure serious loads. But lowering these strong trucks requires a method that:

• Maintains load capacity

• Retains suspension travel

• Avoids axle wrap

• Prevents wheel hop

• Preserves driveline angles

• Eliminates harsh ride issues

That’s exactly why professional truck builders, diesel shops, and OBS enthusiasts overwhelmingly use hanger + shackle kits instead of lowering blocks.

Lowering Blocks Cause Problems on Heavy-Duty Trucks

Using blocks on an F-250 or F-350 often results in:

• Axle wrap under throttle

• Driveshaft vibration

• Poor towing behavior

• Harsh ride

• Excessive spring stress

• Bottoming out

• Reduced load stability

• Premature spring fatigue

Hanger & Shackle Method: The Right Way

This kit lowers the rear suspension by moving the leaf spring mounts upward, not by spacing the axle downward. This preserves the factory leaf spring geometry and allows your truck to:

• Maintain full hauling capability

• Keep correct pinion angle

• Achieve predictable handling

• Prevent axle slop or spring distortion

For any heavy-duty truck—especially a diesel or dually—this is the safest and strongest lowering method available.

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A Smooth, Stable, Functional 4-Inch Rear Drop

With 4 inches of rear drop, your OBS Ford gets a dramatic transformation without becoming impractical. This kit is ideal for:

• Daily-driven work trucks

• Slammed street builds

• OBS diesel trucks

• Towing-capable lowered trucks

• Restored classic OBS projects

• Modern stance builds

• Custom audio builds

A 4-inch rear drop on a 1987–1998 F-250 or F-350 gives you:

• A clean, level, modern stance

• Reduced wheel gap

• Improved body line balance

• Better appearance with 20”, 22”, or 24” wheels

• Enhanced ride and control

• Lower center of gravity for improved stability

Best of all, this drop transforms the truck visually without compromising its utility.

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Kit Includes Everything Needed for a Professional Drop

(2) Heavy-Duty Front Leaf Spring Hangers – 2” Drop

These relocate the front leaf spring mount upward, lowering the entire rear suspension geometry while keeping the spring in its natural arc.

(2) Heavy-Duty Rear Lowering Shackles – 1” Drop

The shackles reposition the rear leaf eye upward, completing the drop and preserving proper leaf spring movement.

Complete Hardware

High-strength bolts, nuts, and hardware required for installation.

Bolt-On Design

No welding, no cutting the frame, and no guesswork. You can install this kit in a home garage with normal tools.

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Maintains Load Capacity & Drivability

One of the biggest benefits of using a hanger + shackle system is that it keeps your rear leaf springs operating as intended. Because the leaf pack stays untouched, your truck maintains:

• Full-load capability

• Factory spring rate

• Factory towing behavior

• Predictable ride characteristics

This is especially important for heavy-duty trucks used for:

• Towing trailers

• Pulling equipment

• Hauling work loads

• Farm or ranch use

• Diesel tuning and performance

You get the lowered stance without losing any functionality.

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Ride Quality: Smooth, Predictable, and Comfortable

This 4-inch drop keeps your F-250 or F-350 riding better than other lowering methods because:

• The leaf springs aren’t flattened or stressed

• No lift blocks are added under the axle

• Axle wrap is minimized

• Suspension travel remains generous

• Suspension geometry stays within OEM tolerances

Expect:

• Smooth daily driving

• Confident towing

• Better body control

• Quieter rear suspension

• Improved ride stability

This kit enhances both appearance and drivability.

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Installation Made Simple

You don’t need fabrication skills or a full shop. The kit bolts directly into the factory locations.

Estimated Installation Time

4–6 hours for a DIY install
2–3 hours for a professional shop

Recommended Tools

• Floor jack & jack stands

• Socket & wrench set

• Penetrating oil

• Impact gun or breaker bar

• Torque wrench

• Pry bar

If your truck is older or exposed to heavy rust, you may need to cut or air-hammer the old rivets—but once removed, the new hangers bolt in cleanly.

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Perfect for OBS Ford Stance & Show Builds

The 1987–1998 OBS Ford body style looks incredible when lowered properly. A 4-inch rear drop gives these trucks:

The clean 90s sport-truck look

Whether you're running:

• Alcoas

• Steelies

• Super Singles

• Forged 22s

• Custom billet wheels

• Polished 19.5” dually wheels

…the lowered stance enhances every wheel style beautifully.

Better Fender-to-Tire Fitment

A 4-inch drop reduces the wheel gap significantly without making the truck impractical.

Foundational Drop for Bigger Builds

This kit is perfect as a base for:

• Full static drops

• Front drop beams

• Drop I-beams

• Coil spring drop kits

• Rear airbag conversions

• Full air suspension setups

If you plan to go lower later, this is the right place to start.

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Why Buy This Kit From Gauge Store ?

Gauge Store and Gauge Magazine have been at the heart of the custom truck, mini truck, lifted truck, and lowered truck world for decades. We don’t just sell parts—we build, judge, photograph, and live custom trucks.

When you buy from us, you get:

• Real-world suspension expertise
• Fast shipping across the U.S.
• Trusted brands and high-strength components
• Accurate fitment guidance
• Industry-leading support
• Parts trusted by show builders & enthusiasts nationwide

Thousands of trucks in the custom scene run suspension from us.

You’re buying from a team that knows stance.