Man-A-Fre shackle reversal (1 Viewer)

[Dixie60]

Thinking of adding this to my 60. Front end needs to be raised at least 1.5" to level it out after adding OME Dakar med/hvy lift kit from MAN-A-Fre. I have non-winch ARB bull bar on front and Kaymar w/tire carrier on back. Will it improve ride and driveability as advertised? Is there a better solution to leveling it out? I have read the tech section on this subject and used the search feature. I am running SUA. Any advice appreciated.

 

[Doc]

I've read someplace that the SR ends up lifting the front about 4", not 1.5.

 

[Steve-O]

I've read someplace that the SR ends up lifting the front about 4", not 1.5.

No no, only 1.5" We can make a 4 inch lift kit using the shackle reversal kit, this consists of say, OME springs (2.5") and a SR kit. In the rear, usually OME springs with longer shackles. I of course will let other people comment about the kit Dixie, not fair for me to vendorize.

 

[Corbet]

I have SR and OME 2.5" on my FJ40 and the ride quality is very much improved. It is not a Man-A-Fre kit though results should be similar.

 

[High Desert]

Won't The Rear End Settle With Some Time?

reading the archives on suspension kits it seems most people experienced some settling especially on the rear. Would you start adding height to the front before the springs settle in?

 

[Steve-O]

reading the archives on suspension kits it seems most people experienced some settling especially on the rear. Would you start adding height to the front before the springs settle in?

Very true, the suspension does need to settle, especially in the rear. Its not going to drop 1.5 inches of course, but it will drop a bit.

 

[candograge]

Hey dixie,
i just returned from a wheeling trip to paragon this past sunday.lets just say i run fj 60 SOA knuckel cut and turned 15 degres shackel flip from manafre and crossover steering all 1 ton chevy tierods from 4x4 LABS ,this combination let me follow a buddy of mine with 40" mtrs with no problem .Oh let me add im locked front and rear .i did notice the front end alway felt pretty dam good ,for me and also my buddy this was a very good move for road maners and it did very well off road.

 

[Dixie60]

Candograge. I appreciate everyone's input. Opinions from 60 owners running MAF's SR's is especially helpful. Your truck sounds much more modified than mine. I am just getting started. Thanks.

 

[Winslow]

SR Good way to go

I have a shackle reversal on my FJ-60. The Man-A-Fre kit was hard to install. I had to cut away at my ARB a bit to make it all fit. After a lot of effort I was very happy with the results. Massive flex, nice ride. It brought me up 1.5". With stock springs and a spring over I am turning 38s no problem. The hanger is large and a smash it every so often, but its also very strong. Good Luck!

 

[Tapage]

I'm need to say, I'm really happy with SR MAF kit .. yep not easy to install ( need to weld, or is recomended ) but is fine .. your ride change totaly, and is more smooth.

In the process ..

to compensate the new lift in front end I bought this 6" shackles in SOR

with the 2.5 OME suspension .. all come easy and fine ..

 

[Dixie60]

Thanks for the input and the pics you posted David. Smoother ride definitely sounds good. Have you had any trouble with the spring pivot assemblies getting hung on rocks because they are lower than the stock shackle position?

 

[euclid]

Tapage,

What shackles did you use in the front? The MAF shackles included in the kit, or did you move the shackle hanger to the back? I would love to see pictures of the shackles on the SR.

Does your truck sit level, ass up or nose up? How did it sit before? How much lift did the MAF kit give?

GT

I'm need to say, I'm really happy with SR MAF kit .. yep not easy to install ( need to weld, or is recomended ) but is fine .. your ride change totaly, and is more smooth.

 

[Steve-O]

Awsome, I'm glad to hear so many people are happy with it. I havent heard too much feedback from customers with SOA and the SR kit, great responses. Thank you!

 

[Tapage]

Thanks for the input and the pics you posted David. Smoother ride definitely sounds good. Have you had any trouble with the spring pivot assemblies getting hung on rocks because they are lower than the stock shackle position?

Here we do more mud than rocks .. but I thought that the design of the SR pivot in front is the best overall thing. Think about this, what happend when the stock shackle ( in front ) find a big obstacle .. ?

Is much better when you have SR stout pivot in front

What shackles did you use in the front? The MAF shackles included in the kit, or did you move the shackle hanger to the back? I would love to see pictures of the shackles on the SR.

Yep the SR kit include the pivoit, pins and short new shacles to use in the stock old pivot ( rear ) position.

Does your truck sit level, ass up or nose up? How did it sit before? How much lift did the MAF kit give?

I'm prettysure that the lift is from 1.5" to 2" no more than that ... keep in mind the overalll lift on my HJ-60 also come from my OME suspension.

When I install the SR kit my HJ-60 was up nose, is the reazon to buy the 6" SOR rear shackles.

Actuaclly I keep my SR with SO comversión ..

 

[Corbet]

Tapage, before you went to SOA could you clear 35" tires with the MAF SR and OME 2.5"?

 

[Tapage]

Tapage, before you went to SOA could you clear 35" tires with the MAF SR and OME 2.5"?

Maybe yes .. I'm not sure, never try to do. But I feel sometimes in some situation rub.

 

[89s rule]

when you get a SR can you get greasable shakles? and also can you use extended shakles for a little more lift? i did think you could run extended just wanted to make sure.

 

[euclid]

Depends on how you do your SR. Man-a-fre's kit uses a horseshoe shaped shackle that fits into the OEM hanger in the back origionaly intended for the pin end. You can't use a normal extended shackle there.

If you use a custom mount of some sort you could use an extended shackle, but it will can screw up your steering geometry, so you would have to put some serious thought into how you design that custom setup.

when you get a SR can you get greasable shakles? and also can you use extended shakles for a little more lift? i did think you could run extended just wanted to make sure.

 

[89s rule]

Well let me tell you what i have. I have the MAF extended anti inversion shackles to compemnsate for not haveing a SR. My springs are 2.5" frt and 4" rear made for use with a SR. I was planning on just running the extended shakles to make up for not having a SR. Thats what the PO of the springs did. I alredy have the correct shim to run on the front to compensate for the extended shakle.

Is a SR really worth it if I already have the parts to do most of my lift? I am saving for small parts such as bushings, Ubolts, shocks etc.

Thanks!

 

[lcwizard]

a bit of warning for those working on the front end.
the man-a-fre shackle reversal is designed to keep your caster angles acceptable (2~3 deg. positive) without putting excessive angles on the pinion side of the front drive shaft. Just remember, on the front end with out a shackle reversal every 3/4 inch of length you add to your shackle removes 1 degree of caster. So, with a shackle reversal the opposite is true, every 3/4 inch you add to your shackle you gain a degree. For those unfamiliar , positive caster is what gives the steering it's tendency to return to center when moving. Not enough and your truck follows every rut in the highway. Too much caster, and steering the vehicle becomes difficult or impossible while going slow or standing still.