Superior shackles on the fork lift

[Waggoner5]

Sorry for the parking lot pics, but its all I have had time to do as far as testing. These are hopefully going to be available from David Dearborn soon. He sent me a set for testing and all I can say is WOW. I gained about a foot of down travel with my current set of shocks. I did unbolt the shocks just for grins and gained another 3" down though. I had already planned on changing to an even longer shock but after testing, I think that I might stay with my current combo for now. At least until Roundup where some more serious testing will be done. I can lift one tire so high off the ground that I was scared it was going over, even with the other 3 on the ground. My current driveshafts are fine as far as length goes, as well as my brake lines, airlines, etc. I am amazed at how much travel I now get out of the truck. I run OME springs that don't allow the axle movement of the stock springs on my other truck and I have always bragged that I thought that it wheeled better than this one because of this. I'm pretty sure that will not be the case anymore. Stay tuned for more action pics and be sure and call or e-mail David about these. He is the exclusive North America dealer as I understand.
Gary

David Dearborn can be found at
urbanlandcruisers.com

 

[Waggoner5]

Another of the shackles at work

 

[euclid]

Wow.

 

[beachedFJ62]

Sick!!

 

[crawlin60]

Damn.


Tell us about the ride on the road, can you tell that something's changed in the ride, behavior on turns, etc. Oh, and, er... how much?...

 

[Waggoner5]

The ride is much softer than it was. My shackle angles were good on the previous set up so the ride difference must be the way the new shackle moves. It seems to move rearwards or forwards depending on the axle, much better because of the design, allowing the spring to flatten out easier. Looking at it, you can see that there is much more leverage at the shackle trying to push the spring flat, this is at rest. Imagine that leverage now when you hit a dip or bump. I am not even close to being an engineer type, but it has to be many times more than a stock shackle, forcing the spring to actually flex. My truck is now soft and you can feel it in the handleing. A stiffer shock would help, although I am running the DT 8000s now. The shackle also has a removeable pin that keeps the shackle in the closed posistion for the street. Needless to say I a really am impressed. Price? Ask David. I am not sure, I am just a guinea pig

 

[haystax]

What makes them any better than Revolvers? One extra pivot point?

Your running them on a heavy ass wagon w/o shackle reversal - interesting to hear your long term thoughts on that setup, looks to be a good deal. I get a lot of s*** for the revolvers i run, interesting that another vendor tries the design. I like them for uneven stream crossings, and washed out 2 track roads, get a lot of comments on ill-effects of off camber and super steep ascents/descents. haven't had problems with mine so far, you probably won't notice anything besides a little extra axle hop.a trac-bar becomes a necessity though.

Good luck, look to be a better design than mine, no tearing up rubber bushings.

 

[Waggoner5]

The revolvers are not near heavy duty enough for a 6k lb, wagon. I do hear they work pretty well on lighter vehicles though, but as far as I can tell, they don't have that great of a reputation around here.

 

[devo]

I'm not going to steel your thread to tell you I have my Superiors mounted also.
It's amaizing how they work.
More later.

devo

 

[dd113]

Sweet! I love mine so far but I am still in R+D cuz I am too busy to fit the shocks to mine. The on road ride is MUCH better than before; it almost seems supple! I am SUA and my limiting factor was the front fenders. I get so much flex now that the 35"s eat right into the fender wells.

The extra pivot point makes all the difference. The ability for the frame to move, lean or lift without the stress of the spring twisting is really hard to explain until you see it.

Revolvers are OK but are not comparable to the Superior shackles. Revolvers are well made but not even in the ballpark of being heavy duty. A full set of Superiors are 22.5K! Ther are the equal of mil spec in quality and design.

A track bar is needed either SUA or SOA and the limiting strap is a great idea. On my SUA 62 I added F250 ft shock towers and I am still working out the rear shock set up.

The pins for on road travel are cool but I dont think they are really needed; I will still use them just cuz.

I can see an off camber issue with them but have yet to try them out. I was told it was not as bad as one might think by the maker.

These are not for everyone. They are crazy expensive and they do require a bunch of other mods IF you are SUA. SOA is not that big of a deal as you should already have most of the mods.

I am the US dealer for these but they will not be for sale or priced until after the roundup and we get to test them out on my truck, Gary's truck and Bob's truck.

Thanx Gary!

 

[Doc]

What is a track bar, what does it do in this situation?

 

[Doc]

David- what mods are required to run these on a SUA rig?

I'm just so on the fence about the revolvers I bought. These are soooo much nicer. I'm all about articulation.

 

[dd113]

David- what mods are required to run these on a SUA rig?

I'm just so on the fence about the revolvers I bought. These are soooo much nicer. I'm all about articulation.

I am not 100% sure as of yet. Longer ft shock towers, rear upper shock hoop, relocate rear shock lower mounts, track bar, strap mounted, new shocks etc.... You can do away with all of the above but you will not get full benifit of the superiors.

I will have a better idea after the roundup.

Yeah, these make the revolvers look like s***!

 

[Cookiemonster]

Crapppppppp I haaaaaate it when my nnnutt butttttttter drops in to the kkeeey board. Always happens with pics like these. I'm in love.

 

[haystax]

Dave - are the dimensions relatively equal to a Revolver?? I like the extra pivot, that is the problem most noticeable on my 40, those look to be a great improvement.

What about body roll of the wagon effecting them adversely in a front axle application, I don't know if I'd have as much confidence in my setup without the shackle reversal.

 

[devo]

Doc,
Save your revolver money untill after the Round Up. Find your reciept and take your revolvers back. These Superior shackles beat the pants off the revolver.
I didn't intend to steal this thread but mods are easy. Shocks, drive shafts and other easy stuff.
devo

 

[rookie]

Thats awesome...... so awesome!

Good job boys. Keep everyone updated about the detailed mod's needed to run the shackles, and price.


Wow!

 

[Doc]

Ok, guys- here's my dilemma.

I already picked up a pair of BRAND NEW revolvers from Poser for $100. I know I can sell them for that and get my money back if need be, but...

What would the set up differences be between the revolvers and superiors? I have to get long travel shocks, extended brake lines for both right? So if I already have some of the parts for the revolver set up, how much deeper do I have to go for a correct set up for the superiors? I don't have a butt load of cash to blow on this rust-bucket, but I want the best articulation I can afford.

So, if it's a matter of keeping the brake lines and shocks the same, just swapping the shackles then it's not as big of an issue see?

Gawd, I need professional help.

 

[osteology]

A full set of Superiors are 22.5K!

Please tell me this is a typo They look nicely made but thats a bit of coin.

Mark

 

[Waggoner5]

That would include a truck also, no seriously, they are not ridiculously priced at all.