Shackle advice

[makomark]

My 76 fj40 needs new rear shackles. Presently it has 3" bolt to bolt rear shackles and 5" bolt to bolt front shackles. It is being restored as mainly a weekend street cruiser. What combination of shackles is recommended. Also is it normal to have the larger shackles in the front? Need advice I'm new to this. Also, what brand is recommended for my use?

 

[bakocruiser]

Get with Specter Off Road, they have an aftermarket stock shackle that would work well for your application.

 

[John Smith]

My 76 fj40 needs new rear shackles. Presently it has 3" bolt to bolt rear shackles and 5" bolt to bolt front shackles. It is being restored as mainly a weekend street cruiser. What combination of shackles is recommended. Also is it normal to have the larger shackles in the front? Need advice I'm new to this. Also, what brand is recommended for my use?

Why do you feel you need new rear shackles? Does the truck presently sit level front to back? Does it go down the road straight and not follow ruts in the road and the steering wheel returns to center when you make a turn?

If you answered, Don't know, yes, and yes, then I would probably not mess with what is currently working. When you change the shackle length in the front you change the caster which has a direct effect on steering. With 5" bolt to bolt in the front my guess is you are running caster shims that will need to be removed if you change to shorter shackles.

If you want to go back to stock height SOR and many other vendors sell stock length shackles. Just make sure if you lower your shackles that whatever tire you are running will clear the body when the suspension is flexed. People usually put on longer shackles after the stock springs sag to get back some lift or to clear larger tires.

 

[makomark]

I only wanted to replace the rear due to rust. It does sit slightly higher in the front to back. I assume the rears are stock size.

 

[John Smith]

I only wanted to replace the rear due to rust. It does sit slightly higher in the front to back. I assume the rears are stock size.

It sounds like you have stock rears, I think they are 2.75 or 3" IIRC. You can make your own shackles in custom lengths from flat bar or there are many vendors who sell stock length shackles. If you want to level the truck you can probably get away with extending the rear shackles without having to shim the rear axle.

 

[Downey]

We make heavier duty shackles in a stock, 1" longer, and 2" longer length. The reason is because all Landcruisers are/were tail-low, consequently we wanted a longer shackle on the rear to help level the tail-low vehicle. But now you have to factor-in what brand of spring front and/or rear, spring fatigue front and/or rear, etc. I would highly recommend heavy duty shackles WITHOUT a horizontal cross bar/gusset, they flex with the spring better in off road terrain because the two vertical plates can move independant from each other. Now, after you determine your leveling needs, you simply buy the amount of shackle length required---simple deal!!!!!

 

[65swb45]

I only wanted to replace the rear due to rust. It does sit slightly higher in the front to back. I assume the rears are stock size.

1. They make this stuff called paint for that.

2. While they're off, you could just try switching the fronts to the rears and see what the rig looks like. Same labor as if you were changing them anyways, just saving $$

Best

Mark A.

 

[zuluzeugma]

Show us a picture.... Length/Ride height is not important; shackle angle is.

 

[slvrbck]

We make heavier duty shackles in a stock, 1" longer, and 2" longer length. The reason is because all Landcruisers are/were tail-low, consequently we wanted a longer shackle on the rear to help level the tail-low vehicle. But now you have to factor-in what brand of spring front and/or rear, spring fatigue front and/or rear, etc. I would highly recommend heavy duty shackles WITHOUT a horizontal cross bar/gusset, they flex with the spring better in off road terrain because the two vertical plates can move independant from each other. Now, after you determine your leveling needs, you simply buy the amount of shackle length required---simple deal!!!!!

I was just thinking about this after I saw these shackles on your site. My 40 is a DD, but I wheel the hell out of it. I have always been under the impression that for a rig that is driven on the street a decent amount should have the shackles with the crossbar/gusset. What is your take on a DD with your HD no gusset shackles? My rig has 2.5" springs, Rancho 5000's and 32 BFG A/T's if it helps any. I am also pretty close to pulling the trigger on your U-bolt skidplates, seems like they are the best price/quality that I have seen.

Chris

 

[zuluzeugma]

I was just thinking about this after I saw these shackles on your site. My 40 is a DD, but I wheel the hell out of it. I have always been under the impression that for a rig that is driven on the street a decent amount should have the shackles with the crossbar/gusset. What is your take on a DD with your HD no gusset shackles? My rig has 2.5" springs, Rancho 5000's and 32 BFG A/T's if it helps any. I am also pretty close to pulling the trigger on your U-bolt skidplates, seems like they are the best price/quality that I have seen.

Chris

H-Brace Shackles are the biggest joke of all time. They minimize flexibility which is the exact oposite of what you want on or off road. If you want strength, have them made from 3/8 plate instead of 1/4 inch plate. I have run both and went back to independent plates.

 

[lcwizard]

H-beam shackles can be difficult to install due to the fact that the side plates draw in during welding.
The variations of bushing shoulder heights and spring spring widthes between manufacturers only compounds the issue. Shackle designs like the OME, 4+plus use a bolt in center pin. This adds stability to the longer shackles, eases installation, still allows a degree of flex between side plates and give the benefit of using the anti-inversion characteristic if you need it.


MAF Old Man Emu Greasable Shackles
MAF 4+Plus GSK Super Heavy Duty Greasable Anit-Inversion Shackle
4+Plus "Dog Bone" Greaseable Shackles

or if you're really on a budget

Man-A-Fre Greasable Shackles

The budget shackles are lighter duty and only seem to be around in a stock length

 

[slvrbck]

H-Brace Shackles are the biggest joke of all time. They minimize flexibility which is the exact oposite of what you want on or off road. If you want strength, have them made from 3/8 plate instead of 1/4 inch plate. I have run both and went back to independent plates.

Thanks alot! Guess I will be getting to a drill press here shortly to make a set. I knew they were good offroad, but putting them on my DD was a small question in the back of my mind. Now I know, that is what I will run.

Chris