MAF 4" OME Shackle reversal fj60

[smkymntn]

I am having this done next week, and wanted to ask anyone who has used this suspension if there is anything they wished they did at install? I would like to do it right the first time. The truck is mainly a logging trail / camping rig. It wont do anything too hardcore. Any help is appreciated.

thanks

I searched some more and found what I needed.

 

[me_tu05]

the only thing ive really thought of is maybe moving the shackle mount on the frame so the shackle angle is better. other than that I like it so far.

 

[gsdog2]

X2, looks as if the springs are to short or something, the shackle angle on mine is verticle. I get loud 'thump' when I go over something like a speed bump head on, doesn't seem right. What would be the correct distance to move the shackle mount??? ...an inch or so?View attachment 210567

View attachment 210568

 

[boots4]

However far it takes to get the angle on the shackle to ~45 degrees or 90 degrees with the main leaf.

 

[gsdog2]

...and you may have to have the cross member under the front drive shaft notched to clear its new angle. I also had my front drive shaft lengthened.
View attachment 210591

View attachment 210592

 

[lcwizard]

The only problem with moving the front mount back is that the axle goes with it. The issue with 60's and wheel clearance is usually the rear of the front fender well. When you clearance for 35" tires, that is the area you trim. Moving the axle back will almost certainly cause interferance.
The real problem is that the Emu springs are an inch short. I have two 60's , one with a shackle reversal and one without, both with emu springs, and the shackles set almost identical. Man-a-fre has spoke to arb about this but they won't change their design. Both the 60 and 40 springs had problems after moving the manufacturing to malaysia, the 40 springs were bad enough that
arb made corrections after about a year. Apparently the 60 springs are usable enough to not bother.
Man-a-fre is currently negotiating with their spring builders to build a slightly longer spring

X2, looks as if the springs are to short or something, the shackle angle on mine is verticle. I get loud 'thump' when I go over something like a speed bump head on, doesn't seem right. What would be the correct distance to move the shackle mount??? ...an inch or so?View attachment 210567

View attachment 210568

 

[Landcruisin'60]

Move the shackle mount (rear of the spring) forward not the fixed mount (front of the spring) back. So it wouldnt do anything to change the wheel base.

 

[gsdog2]

Could another brand of springs, such as HFS, be the correct length needed? I would consider swapping them out to get the better ride. Maybe someone who is running springs other than OME could measure theirs and we could compare notes.

 

[Tapage]

Actually the longer spring are the solution for a smoth ride .. but not for the height, longer leave and the shackle settle in proper angle ( 45º ) place your front easy a 1" less .. that should be good coz usually the 60 keeps the front more tall than the back .. but it all depends on your setup and which tires you gonna run.

 

[Moby]

The only problem with moving the front mount back is that the axle goes with it. The issue with 60's and wheel clearance is usually the rear of the front fender well. When you clearance for 35" tires, that is the area you trim. Moving the axle back will almost certainly cause interferance.
The real problem is that the Emu springs are an inch short. I have two 60's , one with a shackle reversal and one without, both with emu springs, and the shackles set almost identical. Man-a-fre has spoke to arb about this but they won't change their design. Both the 60 and 40 springs had problems after moving the manufacturing to malaysia, the 40 springs were bad enough that
arb made corrections after about a year. Apparently the 60 springs are usable enough to not bother.
Man-a-fre is currently negotiating with their spring builders to build a slightly longer spring

Really? I just moved from Alcans to OME Dakkars (heavy front/med rear) and my front shackle angle is much better with OME (no SR). Not 45 degrees but definitely not vertical (on the front that is, my rear angle is almost vertical, I'm still debating removing a leaf as I have helper air bags for when I'm carry extra in the back).

 

[lcwizard]

Sorry to hear the alcans weren't any better. As you add arch the main needs to be lengthened. With that it's expected a longer shackle needs to be used to accomodate the potential travel. I wonder if these spring "engineers" are working within the parameters of a stock shackle length, maintaining a constant
main leaf dimension

Really? I just moved from Alcans to OME Dakkars (heavy front/med rear) and my front shackle angle is much better with OME (no SR). Not 45 degrees but definitely not vertical (on the front that is, my rear angle is almost vertical, I'm still debating removing a leaf as I have helper air bags for when I'm carry extra in the back).

 

[me_tu05]

Move the shackle mount (rear of the spring) forward not the fixed mount (front of the spring) back. So it wouldnt do anything to change the wheel base.

this is what i was referring to.

 

[lcwizard]

there is one advantage to the shackle reversal that has nothing to do with handling. It adds about an inch of lift so you can run OME lights and get the same lift as the med/heavys on a truck without a shackle reversal and the ride is better

this is what i was referring to.

 

[Landcruisin'60]

this is what i was referring to.

That was aimed towards what lcwizard said right above me.

 

[Moby]

I wonder if these spring "engineers" are working within the parameters of a stock shackle length, maintaining a constant
main leaf dimension

That would be my guess. The Alcans definitely needed a longer main leaf and a do I agree that the OME could be a little longer as well. But my new OMEs have at least some shackle angle where the Alcans had none...

 

[Sixty's Guy]

there is one advantage to the shackle reversal that has nothing to do with handling. It adds about an inch of lift so you can run OME lights and get the same lift as the med/heavys on a truck without a shackle reversal and the ride is better

Isn't the lift with a spring reversal achieved by weldig on a fixed spring mount? In that case, why do a spring reversal at all? Why not just replace the existing spring mount with an extended mount?