Anti-Inversion Shackles on Tall Skinnies 33x9.5x15 part 1

[General Automag]

I’d like to share my experience with installing anti-inversion shackles on stock rims with tall skinny 33x9.5x15 tires. When I first drove our Cruiser, it had 27.5” “street” treads, and the engine screamed at 60mpg. The final drive in both 3-speeds and 4-speeds is 1.1 and with 4.10.1 rear axle gearing, so these vehicles weren’t designed for top-end speeds.

I wanted to keep the stock rims, so in my research, I found that 33x9.5x15 or 33x10.5x15 tires are the tallest tire size you can use without a lift kit. I also found that 9.5” tire width will work fine and that a 10.5” wide tire will sometimes scrub.

The only tire I could find in 33x9.5x15 was the BFG All-terrain. These have a decent tread as you can see from the pictures, but I would prefer to have a mud or more aggressive tread pattern.

After installing the tires, I could cruise at 60-65 mph with the engine turning less rpms. I don’t have a tachometer, so I don’t know the exact rpms, but the engine isn’t winding out like it was before. I climbed a few hills and didn’t notice any performance difference in first gear in low range, so all was well there.

 

[General Automag]

Anti-Inversion Shackles on Tall Skinnies 33x9.5x15 part 2

I did notice that I had very little clearance at the rear wheel wells. The 9.5” tires will fit under the wheel wells, but I didn’t want to take a chance on getting a dent while trail riding or carrying any load in the rear. You can see from the picture that the clearance was about the width of a cigarette lighter.

 

[General Automag]

Anti-Inversion Shackles on Tall Skinnies 33x9.5x15 part 2.5

(Here are some more pics of the new 33x9.5x15 tires before the shackles were installed)

 

[General Automag]

Anti-Inversion Shackles on Tall Skinnies 33x9.5x15 part 3

I did a lot of research on shackles and decided to install anti-inversion shackles from Man-a-free. I ordered the “GSK Super HD Anti-Inversion 4+plus” shackles and greaseable spring pins. Since our Cruiser looked to sag a bit in the rear, I order the tallest shackle, 3.5” lift, for the rear and a 2.5” lift for the front. SOR has a great chart showing the shackle sizes Specter Off-Road Land Cruiser Parts - Page 288 Land Cruiser Shackles - Aftermarket . Whatever size you get, just divide the distance between the bolts and divide by two to get the lift. The shackles come gold-plated, but I powder coated mine a satin black.

Installing these is rather a pain, especially if you are doing it by yourself. You will need patience, two floor jacks, several jack stands and cinder blocks, and a lot of rust penetrant (See Coolerman’s formula for Ed’s Red at Ed's Red Penetrating Oil ). It really helps to soak your leaf springs with some type of penetrating oil such as Ed’s Red, Kroll or PB Blaster. It’s cheaper to buy it by the gallon or to make up Ed’s Red yourself. The leaf springs did not seem to move before I coated them with this stuff. I sprayed the entire underside of the frame and body, and it seems to work great and it seems to act as a rust preventative as well.

 

[General Automag]

Anti-Inversion Shackles on Tall Skinnies 33x9.5x15 part 4

After the install, I got a 2.5” lift in the rear and a 1” lift in the front. The pictures show the “before” measurement on the PVC pipe, so you can see the lift gained. I got the clearance I needed from on the rear fender wells, and I postponed the need for a lift kit for now.

You will need to order longer shocks to account for the lift. I bought some Rough Country gas shocks for a 2”-4” lift as well as a VERY expensive factory steering stabilizer from Cruiser Dan. Before I installed new shocks, I could not get the suspension to move even by jumping up and down on the front bumper. I believe the original shocks, and they were completely froze up.

In the end, the articulation is decent, and it’s nice to see the factory leaf springs slide and the anti-inversion shackles work. “Tall skinny” tires on factory steel rims simply look classy. ‘Hope this helps!

 

[General Automag]

I did notice that I had very little clearance at the rear wheel wells. The 9.5” tires will fit under the wheel wells, but I didn’t want to take a chance on getting a dent while trail riding or carrying any load in the rear. You can see from the picture that the clearance was about the width of a cigarette lighter.

Here are the pics.

 

[General Automag]

After the install, I got a 2.5” lift in the rear and a 1” lift in the front. The pictures show the “before” measurement on the PVC pipe, so you can see the lift gained. I got the clearance I needed from on the rear fender wells, and I postponed the need for a lift kit for now.

You will need to order longer shocks to account for the lift. I bought some Rough Country gas shocks for a 2”-4” lift as well as a VERY expensive factory steering stabilizer from Cruiser Dan. Before I installed new shocks, I could not get the suspension to move even by jumping up and down on the front bumper. I believe the original shocks, and they were completely froze up.

In the end, the articulation is decent, and it’s nice to see the factory leaf springs slide and the anti-inversion shackles work. “Tall skinny” tires on factory steel rims simply look classy. ‘Hope this helps!

Here's a pic of the rear.

 

[General Automag]

pics of the shackle lift

'Had trouble in attaching the pictures. Here is one showing the new tires on the shackle lift.

 

[General Automag]

Warn winch mount?

I need to mount a Warn 8274-50, so if anyone knows of a company or individual who sells a winch mounting plate that will work with the stock bumper, please send me a PM. Thanks.

 

[Slowerthanu]

I need to mount a Warn 8274-50, so if anyone knows of a company or individual who sells a winch mounting plate that will work with the stock bumper, please send me a PM. Thanks.

I'm not sure of one that will work with the stock bumper but a few manufacture stock "looking" bumpers that will accept the 8274

Bumper HFS™

 

[Bigslug]

This thread is HUGELY helpful to me, just as a visual reference.

I've got a slight lift from a rebuild of my leaf stacks, don't want to elevate any more, my rear wheelwells remain uncut, and I'm trying to figure out just how much rubber I can realistically carry on stock rims. The BFG 33x9.5's may well be an outside consideration. I thought I saw a 32x9.50x16 on their website a few days back, but I can't seem to find it now.

Damn them for not making a 31x9.50, anyway!

 

[General Automag]

I am tempted to try 33x10.5x15s in the future, but the clearance on the front part of the rear fender well may be tight. I believe they will fit though. I too don't want to cut the fender wells. If you go with 10.5" tires, you have a LOT more tires to choose from. I have seen on the posts of folks mounting up to 12" wide tires on stock rims, but they had a lift kit installed. Please post pics of your rig when you get your tires and wheels mounted.

 

[mossman40]

General,

Looks very good. I'm sagging a little in the rear and I'm thinking of going with the same size rear shackle you've used.

When you got your tires, did you have any trouble locating the 33x9.5's ? Maybe share your source to help others looking for the same size.

 

[Bigslug]

I am tempted to try 33x10.5x15s in the future, but the clearance on the front part of the rear fender well may be tight. I believe they will fit though. I too don't want to cut the fender wells. If you go with 10.5" tires, you have a LOT more tires to choose from. I have seen on the posts of folks mounting up to 12" wide tires on stock rims, but they had a lift kit installed. Please post pics of your rig when you get your tires and wheels mounted.

I'm currently rolling 31x10.5x15 Bridgestones on aftermarket rims, and they stick out past the fenders by maybe an inch. I'm thinking the stock rims would suck things back in by another 1.5 inches, and then another half inch with a 9.5" wide tire. Just guessin'.

QUESTION: Aside from the stabilizer, are you running totally stock on the steering and driveshaft? I'm thinking about following your lead, but want to know the possible hidden "additions" that would be needed beyond a set of shackles.

 

[General Automag]

Totally stock steering and everything else. 'Thinking about a spring over axle conversion now. A SOA would keep the stock leaf springs and drive angles in place, and would be a lot cheaper than any lift kit. Plus, I'd get a softer ride than from all of the lift kit springs that are out there. If there is any value in keeping the vehicle stock, a spring over would be better than a lift kit.

 

[njshofear]

I am tempted to try 33x10.5x15s in the future, but the clearance on the front part of the rear fender well may be tight. I believe they will fit though. I too don't want to cut the fender wells. If you go with 10.5" tires, you have a LOT more tires to choose from. I have seen on the posts of folks mounting up to 12" wide tires on stock rims, but they had a lift kit installed. Please post pics of your rig when you get your tires and wheels mounted.

Im running the 33x10.5 bfg at's on stock rims on a completely stock fj...have the same clearance issue you do, but have not had any rubbing in the rear, in the front i do rub on the relay rod when turning to the right at full lock but thats it.

 

[FJsnoozer]

1:1 with 4.10s
29s
3088 rpm at 65

31s
2889 rpm at 65

33s
2713 rpm at 65

for comparison sake, 29s @ 57 mph turns 2708

 

[General Automag]

After driving my rig with 33x9.5x15's with new shocks and an anti-inversion shackles for the front and rear, and after doing a LOT of research and looking and trail riding with other rigs, there is no way I would consider a SOA (spring over axle) conversion. It is just not needed and there are way to many variables affected for me. In my opinion, a SOA really sets up a stock rig too high.

This rather stock setup with 33's runs fine in most places. The tires do not scrape under full articulation, even when loaded down. In the future, when the BFG all-terrain tires were out, I will install new 2.5" lift springs (IronMan 4x4 from ACC Toyota in Atlanta - ACC Toyota Truck & Land Cruiser) just so that I will be able to install 33x10.5x15s. There a quite a few more tire options in this size.

By the way, Pritchett Tire in Cornelia, GA has BFG ATs in 33x9.5x15 for those of you that may be looking for this size.

 

[alaska60]

ACC Toyota Truck & Land Cruiser[/url]) just so that I will be able to install 33x10.5x15s. There a quite a few more tire options in this size.
.

first off.....you need to drive my SOA and you will love it...
second.....if you are so happy with the set up, then why are you choosing to add more lift? (your new 2 1/2" lift you stated your getting soon)the more lift you add to your SUA, the stiffer the ride gets. My SOA is sitting on flat stock springs that flex nice and easy and provide a fantastic soft ride on and off road. I can also fully stuff a 35 or 37 inch tire with no rub too. along with power steering, and flipped springs adding 8 inches to my wheel base, It is stable and rides like a dream! I will never go back to SUA.

 

[General Automag]

That's the beauty with having your own vehicle. Like I said, for my uses, a SOA is just not needed and would set up a stock rig a bit too high for my tastes. We won't be installing 35" or 37" tires, and 8" of lift running 33" tires would like rather silly. If our goal was to attain a LOT of lift, I would agree that a SOA on stock springs would be a good setup.

After reading these posts on the FAQ

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/83513-sua-vs-soa.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/14461-week-months-faq.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/84150-soa-question.html

I determined that for folks with stock or mildly modified Cruisers, a SOA is much more complicated than simply installing shackles and new springs.

Let's see some pictures of your rig with the SOA.