Question about shackle length (extended) (1 Viewer)

[FJsixty2]

Have a question about replacing stock shackles with extended shackles. I spent much of the morning looking through previous threads, but couldn't come up with the info I was looking for. I'm putting on a new rim/tire combination this week and I'm looking for just a small amount of lift (for now). Question is, I remember it being said that stock shackles on a 60/62 were 1" longer in the rear than in the front and to buy the appropriate length extended shackles. I measured mine this past weekend and came up with 3" (middle of eye/bolt to middle of eye/bolt) in the front and 3.375" in the rear. Since I'm less than .5" difference, a 1" difference front to rear would give me an uneven stance. Right now, my 62 sits almost dead flat. Am I correct that the front and rear shackles should differ by 1" on a 60/62? My Cruiser is almost 100% stock and I assumed that the shackles were, as well. I'm thinking I should buy equal length extended shackles and let the rear drop the small amount it will. Any other suggestions??? Thanks.

 

[89s rule]

Rear shackles are longer. I think it is 1" but not 100% sure. Nice clean rig! Sue you want to mod it?

 

[2badfjs]

when you order your shackles, order from a specific cruiser parts vender i.e. man-a-fre,cruise outfitters,spector.
they will sell you the right length shackles, and yes, they will be two differnt lengths.
this will give you just a bit of lift (maybe 1/2" or more) and your rig will still sit level.

 

[FJsixty2]

Any chance that 1" longer dimension is the entire length of the shackle and not an 'eye-to-eye' length? Maybe the rears get more reinforcement (depth) on the ends? I'll have to check the full length now to verify. I just don't want to put 1" longer (extended) shackles in the rear and have a rig that looked 'jacked up'.

 

[fjman]

Thats one nice 62. Where in MD are you?

 

[FJsixty2]

2bad, I was actually looking at ordering the 'Extreme Shackles' from JT Outfitters. It's a 2.5" extended shackle for 1.25" lift. I haven't spoken with them yet, but they do have them listed for the 62.

 

[theside00]

I got some shackles for the 62 series that are designed for a 2 inch lift. The rear ones are longer then the fronts. I accidentally oredered a set to many ( I thought they were sold single and not in pairs not very good labeling). They are just sitting here if oyu are interested in them.

 

[FJsixty2]

Thanks guys. She has a few dents here and there, nothing too bad, but she's all original, 100% rust free and ready for some mods. <g> After working on an '87 Grand Wagoneer a few years back, this Cruiser is going to be a pleasure. It's nice when torches and cut-off wheels aren't necessary to remove simple suspension components.

I'm located in Westminster, MD. Only about 5 miles from the PA line near Rt 30.

 

[2badfjs]

2bad, I was actually looking at ordering the 'Extreme Shackles' from JT Outfitters. It's a 2.5" extended shackle for 1.25" lift. I haven't spoken with them yet, but they do have them listed for the 62.

your not just ordering for the rears are you?
if you are, then yes, you'll look jacked up in the back.
if you do both frt and rear, then no, you'll still should end up level.like you are in the pic.

oh yeah, NICE RIG!!!!

if you order for front and rear, you WILL get two different lengths of shackles(you should)

 

[FJsixty2]

I got some shackles for the 62 series that are designed for a 2 inch lift. The rear ones are longer then the fronts. I accidentally oredered a set to many ( I thought they were sold single and not in pairs not very good labeling). They are just sitting here if oyu are interested in them.

Can you tell me who you bought them from and what length they are - how much extension? For now, I'm only looking for about 1+/-" of lift. If they're what I'm looking for, I could be very interested. Any chance you could give me the full length and eye-to-eye length on fronts and rears? Thanks.

 

[FJsixty2]

2bad, yes, I'm ordering fronts and rears. The confusion started when I measured my stock shackles and found them only .375" different in length (eye-to-eye). I'm trying to figure this out, before ordering, to make sure I maintain the even stance. Thanks for the info.

 

[2badfjs]

2bad, yes, I'm ordering fronts and rears. The confusion started when I measured my stock shackles and found them only .375" different in length (eye-to-eye). I'm trying to figure this out, before ordering, to make sure I maintain the even stance. Thanks for the info.

i would'nt sweat it.
if your lookin for 1+" over, thats what you'll get.

i dont think the eye to eye spec matters

 

[Mace]

i would'nt sweat it.
if your lookin for 1+" over, thats what you'll get.

i dont think the eye to eye spec matters

Eye to Eye spec is all that matters. the total length makes no difference on the size of the shackle.

a 2.5" over stock shackle is 2.5" longer eye to eye than a stock shackle.

 

[NorCal60]

Eye to Eye spec is all that matters. the total length makes no difference on the size of the shackle.

a 2.5" over stock shackle is 2.5" longer eye to eye than a stock shackle.

Which would be 1.25 +/- total lift anyways, right?

 

[FJsixty2]

Thanks Mace. That's all that makes sense to me - eye-to-eye. Overall length is (should be) irrelevant, unless that's how the manufacturers are measuring things (which wouldn't make sense, imo). I just checked MAF's site and their 4+Plus RSK Anti-inversions are listed as "60 SERIES FRONT + 2 INCHES AND REAR + 1 INCH". If I'm measuring correctly (pretty hard to be wrong), I'm going to have a lifted front with these. Obviously, a phone call to one of these places is necessary. <g> If I'm sitting level right now, I should be able to buy a set of extended shackles that say '2.5" over stock height - front and rear' - that would be simpler.

 

[Mace]

Which would be 1.25 +/- total lift anyways, right?

Yeah, pretty much...

 

[tclndcrz]

http://www.sor.com/sor/cat288b.tam?xax=4545

at the bottom of the page it lists stock shackles lengths front and rear. it looks to be a half inch difference

 

[2manycruisers]

I think you are right fjsixty2, there is about 3/8" difference front to rear. I also am looking for a 1" over stock shackle and JTO is the only place I've found so far that lists one. I haven't called yet, but on the website it didn't differentiate between front and rear, and they should be different. If you get to it before me, let me know where you find your shackles.

 

[2badfjs]

Eye to Eye spec is all that matters. the total length makes no difference on the size of the shackle.

a 2.5" over stock shackle is 2.5" longer eye to eye than a stock shackle.

aaaaaa yeah, yeah, thats what i meant

right, your eye to eye should be the same difference from stock to extended.
your .5 diff from front to back on stock, will still be .5 diff with a lengthend shackle.

 

[FJsixty2]

http://www.sor.com/sor/cat288b.tam?xax=4545

at the bottom of the page it lists stock shackles lengths front and rear. it looks to be a half inch difference

Thanks TC. The stock shackle diagrams were a big help. It seems to confirm my 3/8" (or .5") difference front to rear. Beyond that, things are not nearly as clear. I know I'm beating this into the ground, but this stuff makes no sense. Here's what I mean:

Stock shackle is 3" front, 3.5" rear, 3 3/16" internal width.

2.5" Performance shackle (from SOR) is 5 1/4" front and rear and 3" internal width.

1" Extreme shackle (from SOR) is 4 15/16" front and rear (I forget the internal width).

Thing is, a 2.5" extended shackle should then be 5.5" front and 6" rear - not 5 1/4" on both. Beyond that, how in the hell in the 1" Extreme shackle barely shorter, at 4 15/16" than the 2.5" extended shackle at 5 1/4"??? And what's up with the width. All shackles are thinner, internally, than the stocks. How does that work??? I guess trying to actually figure this out on your own and make a calculated decision is impossible. I've been working on cars and trucks for a long time (even raced BMWs for a while) and NONE of this makes sense when you really look at the specs. All I'm trying to do is maintain a level rig...