Just acquired thought a trade a set (4) of never used Con-Ferr shackles. Is anyone using them , and what set up do you have?
Con-Ferr shackles
- Thread starter Jbomb76
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AlaskanWheeler
SILVER Star
I haven't used them, but a couple of them certainly "look" used to me, as indicated by the previous owner torquing those bolts too tight. Don't over tighten them, the only thing that will lead to is premature bushing failure, and nobody wants premature bushing failure... you could use them for a minor lift, if you wanted.
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- #3
They were mounted on a project, but never run if that makes sense. Do you know if I could swap in new leaf springs to get an additional lift?
I have them. Running a 2 1/2" rancho spring lift with the conferr shackes. You can swap in new springs you just need to find the right bushings to match the bolts and spring eye. I think the center bolt is 5/8"? vs the stock 14mm metric pins.
Some people say the center bar limits the flexing at extreme articulation. That is probably true but I think I'd rather have the lateral stiffness for on-road manners and sacrifice some articulation. AlaskanWheeler is right you don't want to crush the bushing too tight, when I first got my FJ40 it rode like it had steel I-beams for springs. The shackles were so tight the springs couldn't flex.
Some people say the center bar limits the flexing at extreme articulation. That is probably true but I think I'd rather have the lateral stiffness for on-road manners and sacrifice some articulation. AlaskanWheeler is right you don't want to crush the bushing too tight, when I first got my FJ40 it rode like it had steel I-beams for springs. The shackles were so tight the springs couldn't flex.
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- #5
What size of tires are you running and is there a torque spec for the bolts?
I have them. They will flex as long as your springs aren't too stiff and you don't overtighten them.
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- #7
What springs are you using?
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- #8
And total lift gained?
Don't know. I do know that they were stiff as hell until I removed a leaf. Now they do okay. It looks like my shackles may be longer than yours too. Mine are Conferr's though.
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- #10
My overall goal is to get some 33x9.5r15 on my stock wheels.
Good luck finding those tires. They are NLA. If you can find some used ones, you can do that size with no lift at all. They will tuck nicely as long as you use the stock offset wheels.
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- #12
Walmart has them
No they don't. They were discontinued years ago. Try to order some and see what happens. If you do find some, let me know because I'd like to buy a truckload of them!
They stopped making them a decade ago iirc.
AlaskanWheeler
SILVER Star
In your boat, instead of piecing a kit together, I would go with a complete kit from Kurt @cruiseroutfit, he's a reputable vendor here and great to work with.
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That is the problem with fixed-gusset shackles. And why I developed shackles with adjustable gussets.
Currently running 33"x 10.5". Don't know the torque spec, I just snug them up. The bolts have nylock nuts on them so you don't need to crank them down tight. If you're using stock width springs you'll need bushings that have a flange on them to take up the extra width. I think some shackles use shoulder bolts to prevent over tightening, but I don't remember the Con-Ferr's being like that.
With extended shackles in the front you'll probably need shims to realign the caster. I think I used 4 degree shims so the steering wasn't so squirrely.
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- #18
Thank you
