Shackle length ????

[jeff krause]

Opinions on shackle YJ shackle length.. TJ guys ,,, unless you know don’t guess :D :D

I will be picking up some 3/8” x 2 “ wide steel this afternoon…….. time to make some new shackles

Currently I have some “ghetto” angle ion rears and some aftermarket fronts….. The Eye to Eye of these is 6.5 inches (yep 6.5)

Current set up is Stock Yj leafs set up SOA with the 6.5” I2I shackles

Moving to some new R.E. 6 leaf SOA springs (1.5” lift) ….. any thoughts ? What works ,, what doesn’t .. I really do not want to get much taller than I am……
Jeff

[Tom Jacobson]

I'll measure mine tonight for you, Jeff. They're aftermarket shackles and do provide some lift (not much, guessing .75" or so), so they are a bit longer than stock. I haven't found them to be really any issue off road...or at least, not such an issue where I was left saying, "Man, if only my shackles were 1" shorter, I would have made it!"

Tom

[k7mto]

On my CJ, I run stock length shackles the front and the rears are either stock or maybe 1/2"-1" longer if that.

[baldwinwb11]

Good rule of thumb is that for ever 1" of shackle you get 0.5" of lift. This of course depends on the static angle of the shackle and how far back the axle is centered. Some shackles come with two mounting wholes so you can adjust your height, you may want to consider doing that.

[roger]

Longer shackles get you more lift and more importantly more flex by allowing the end of the springs to travel in a larger arc. But they also mess with caster and pinion angle. On my SOA YJ with RE 1.5 springs, I run stock length shackles. I get decent flex with this set-up. Of course, I try to strike a balance between stability and flex 'cause I don't like that tippy feeling. :o

[jeff krause]

Thinking of splitting the difference here... 5" eye to eye , nets a 1/2 " lift.. The springs will give me a fresh 1.5 total over the stock YJ leaves on STOC yj shackles is 2".....

The curent set up (stock YJ leave and lift shackles) nets me 1.25" over stock shackle on the same stock spring.

The difference in ride height will only be 3/4's of an inch... not to bad..... a 5" shackle I'd think would allow enough swing for the 1.5" leaves.......

[YJINAZ]

http://www.mad4wd.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jpgqlop0#bottom

This is what I want to go with. They are boomerang which allow more travel and are a little longer for the milltary wrap.

[roger]

I don't recall from your other threads but did you do an axle swap too? If so, you probably ended up with larger axle tube diameters and that will also net you some lift in an SOA configuration.

[YGOHOME]

my 89 YJ HAD 1 1/4" longer than stock shackles. sorry, don't know how long exactly. 5" sounds pretty close though.

[jeff krause]

To close this thread out on a posititive note..... My shackles are finished.

I made them out of 2" wide by 3/8" thick flat stock..... Cut them all to the same length.... center punched at 5 1/4" I to I, drilled a 1/4" pliot hole (use oil) and followed with a 1/2" bit.... Forgot to mention that the plates were welded together so they were drilled with the same spacing. Took the mateial to the floor mount belt sander and made them perty.

Total cost was right around ...... $10 for the material ( I have enough left over for another shackle)......... maybe $18 for the grade 8's and stovers... bushings I don't remember........

Anyhow ........ a set of curries or name the brands prolly would have run me around $130 for all four corners.. Stock YJ plates prolly $50.....

Basically these netted me right around 5/8" of shackle lift.

Nice easy little $$$ saving project that turned out great.

[jeff krause]

8475

8476

all finished

[Tom Jacobson]

Very nice.

To close on an even more positive note, you should those new ones next to the old "things"!

Tom

[jeff krause]

Very nice.

To close on an even more positive note, you should those new ones next to the old "things"!

Tom


OLD shacks....... the rears are the ORIGINAL G-H-E-T-T-O ,,, no even better HILLYBILLY shackles


8477

8478


NICE HUH????

[k7mto]

Good job on the shackles, Jeff.