What do you guys think about extended shackles? I thought I may be able to run extended shackles and add-a-leaf and maybe fit 33's under my fj62. Has anyone done this setup? My suspension is stock at the moment and I'm running 31 at's
Shackle lift on a 62
- Thread starter Bone Stock FJ62
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
I will just speak for myself here. This is just that though. I will install whatever people want.
Shackles are better for lift kits. Yes you can run them if you want but not much lift out of them if your springs are flat.
Add a leafs are meh. Short ones stay away from. Go with the longer ones. They will stiffen your ride up though. Just be prepared for that.
Again this is just my broke self talking.....
Shackles are better for lift kits. Yes you can run them if you want but not much lift out of them if your springs are flat.
Add a leafs are meh. Short ones stay away from. Go with the longer ones. They will stiffen your ride up though. Just be prepared for that.
Again this is just my broke self talking.....
Also at about 33's you will want to start thinking about gearing. Least if you still have the stock transmission. I have 32's on mine and if I go bigger I will regear.
Guess not really if I go bigger. Just when I do.
Guess not really if I go bigger. Just when I do.
- Thread starter
- #4
So can you run 32's with stock suspension and no upgrading?
I have done the long add-a-leaves all around and I would only recommend them for a trail rig. The arch of the new spring doesn't match the arch of the worn out pack and could really affect the road handling. Add-a-leaves are, in fact, only meant for the rear packs anyway. Upgraded shackles are always a plus but won't give much lift without going way long. If you hold out for a full set of two inch lift springs you will have no regrets. Also the add-a-leafs will have a different effect on the front and rear so you may have to play with it again, and again, and maybe again till you get it right. Shop around a bit and you should be able to find some used ones.
I am running 32's on a 2.5 inch lift. Have to try and think back if I ever did it with no lift.
I have only run these and 35's on 60 series. Never 33's.
I had 33s on moonshine back when all she had was long add a leafs. Looked great IMO and had zero issues. I had stock gearing and the stock h42, and while the final drive sucked off road, it was just fine on road.
I would not recommend shackle lifts. First problem is that they only provide 1/2" of lift per 1" longer shackle. Second problem is that longer shackles, with stock springs, modifies your caster angle up front and pinion angle in the rear. I believe the reference is 1/2 of a degree per inch longer shackle.
Before changing anything with your truck, how do the springs look now? If they're not totally flat, you may be able to run 33s without any mods.
I would not recommend shackle lifts. First problem is that they only provide 1/2" of lift per 1" longer shackle. Second problem is that longer shackles, with stock springs, modifies your caster angle up front and pinion angle in the rear. I believe the reference is 1/2 of a degree per inch longer shackle.
Before changing anything with your truck, how do the springs look now? If they're not totally flat, you may be able to run 33s without any mods.
If you ran a slightly oversize shackle and switched over to a 16" wheel you could run 255/85 tires which are tall skinny 33's. this is prob your best bet in terms of cost. I ran this on my 60 and really had almost no rubbing.
But...knowing its your daily driver I suggest thinking about staying with a 31" as anything over that really bogs down the 62...unless you regear which I know you don't want to do.
There is a set of springs for sale in for sale section for 62 that is nice.
But...knowing its your daily driver I suggest thinking about staying with a 31" as anything over that really bogs down the 62...unless you regear which I know you don't want to do.
There is a set of springs for sale in for sale section for 62 that is nice.
I read this thread thinking FJ60, but it's a FJ62.
I agree, the A440F doesn't like rubber overdrive. Keep it at 31" or 32" until regearing.
As stated above, the auto trans in the 62 will not like the extra strain trying to get the 33s going from a stop.
I just put 2.5 in longer shackles on my 55. I got the lift to clear 33s fine, but the caster is out of spec and causes the steering to wander...I have to constantly overcorrect. I don't drive the Cruiser much at all, but I will be using front 4 degree shims in to help correct this.
Lift shackles are not the best option, but are an option and can work.
I just put 2.5 in longer shackles on my 55. I got the lift to clear 33s fine, but the caster is out of spec and causes the steering to wander...I have to constantly overcorrect. I don't drive the Cruiser much at all, but I will be using front 4 degree shims in to help correct this.
Lift shackles are not the best option, but are an option and can work.
Don't know about the rubber OD argument.
I'm fairly sure that there isn't much of any (besides the output shaft) difference between the A440 in my rig and the one in a 62.
I DD mine for 3 years with 36-37" tires and stock gears. Worked fine.
I did eventually put 4.88's in there but then I went up to 39's and once again its now my DD.
To each his own though. I have nothing more to add to this thread than that though.
Brett's old 62 had 33's on it but an OME suspension... stock gears..... I borrowed that off of him for a few months also while my head gasket went on my ranger.
I'm fairly sure that there isn't much of any (besides the output shaft) difference between the A440 in my rig and the one in a 62.
I DD mine for 3 years with 36-37" tires and stock gears. Worked fine.
I did eventually put 4.88's in there but then I went up to 39's and once again its now my DD.
To each his own though. I have nothing more to add to this thread than that though.
Brett's old 62 had 33's on it but an OME suspension... stock gears..... I borrowed that off of him for a few months also while my head gasket went on my ranger.
- Thread starter
- #13
My springs are in great condition all around the truck, none are flat or even sagging. I think I would have ample amount of clearance if I went bigger but I'm afraid of rubbing. According to the majority of the replies it looks like shackle lifts are out of the question until I go OME. I'm still not sure about the long add-a-leafs because I'm not looking forward to my ride being stiffer. Trying my best not to regear because that just sounds like a pain in the azz. On a different note what backspace would you guys recommend on new rims? Any of you guys have experience with procomp? I'm looking for a wider stance but not so wide that it looks dumb. I wish I could post pictures of my springs and clearance between my tires as wheelwells but I'm in the mountains with the fam for the week. (We didn't bring the cruiser) 
Thanks for all your help!
Thanks for all your help!
Bottom line up front. Everybody has seen / done different things to their truck / seen it done / had a friend with it done. 10 different people are going to tell you 10 different things that has worked for them . And it did work for them. Best thing for you to do is look in the 60 section and research it for yourself. Hell. I used to say shackle reversals were good. But after my bad accident with mine I will never install another on a DD. For me or anyone else at my shop. Again research is your friend.
I had 33/10.50s on my 62 for a couple of years with no issues.
My son has some 33/12.50/15s on his 62 now with almost flat springs with no rubbing at all.
They fit fine, just fill up the wheelwell.
My son has some 33/12.50/15s on his 62 now with almost flat springs with no rubbing at all.
They fit fine, just fill up the wheelwell.
Put some 4 degree shims on the front to help with the shackle lift. Drives better than stock.
After you mess with the front axle springs any time you should just get a shop to look at the alignment then put / take out the correct amount of shims. But that is just my way.
- Thread starter
- #18
Thanks guys! I'm still deciding what I want and if I have the money to do these things. Christmas is on the way! 