shackle lift?

[abruzzi]

I need to get an inch or so on my pig, the 33x9.5 tires are really close. I don't have the money/skills to buy new springs and fab mounts since noone makes 55 springs anymore. SOA is way more height than I want. So I figure a little extension on the shackles is cheap, easy and modest. I know longer shackles aren't usually the preferred way to gain height. What are the downsides to doing this? I've never done one of these before, so below is my thought process--please let me know if I'm missing anything.

I also noticed that stock, the front shackles are a different length than the back, specter claims 2.5" front and 3.5" rear, which looks rights (can't find my tape measure.) So I figure I'll try to keep the same disparity, i.e. about an inch longer in the rear. I figure I'll go with the SOR Extreme Shackles:

Specter Off-Road Land Cruiser Parts - 288-92 Extreme Shackles

I figure, a 6" in the rear and a 5.25" in the front should net a 1.25" lift.

To do it right, the shackles are greasable,but I shoud get 4 greasable mounting pins, so the whole thing can be lubed. 24 new bushings should round things off.

Next SOR says I need shims to correct the caster, so a set of 4 degree shims front and rear, and longer centering pins. Total cost should be (with SOR discount):

Shackles (x2): $164.90
Shackle Pin (x4): $118.96
Bushings (x24): $42.24
Shims (x2): $34.00
Centering Pins (x2): $18.70

Total: $378.80

That should cover everything, and doing it right. Any thoughts?

Geof

 

[nuclearlemon]

not sure what you mean by the shackles are greaseable, but should you buy greasable pins? the only thing greaseable in shackles are the pins. or are you talking about the spring pins opposite the shackles? will you be running poly bushings or rubber again? poly bushings won't seize like rubber will and most greases tend to degrade rubber. i used to do greasable on everything, now i wouldn't bother...just run poly bushings. if you do run greaseable and rubber bushings, be sure the grease you're running degrade rubber. for poly, that's not nearly an issue.

you can get lift springs from places like alcan, they'll run you about $850/set.

the worst part of doing shackles is getting the old ones out. the bushings tend to become one with the pins, so be prepared to burn them out.

4 degree shims seem a bit extreme for a shackle lift. i run 4degree shims with a four inch lift and 1 1/2" over shackles. i don't think you would need shims/center pins with just a shackle lift. on the center pins, make sure when they say longer, they are referring to the head being longer. the majority of the shims fit over the spring pin head.

 

[abruzzi]

Thanks for the thoughts. I figured on going with the poly bushings. The "extreme shackles" SOR sells are greasable, but they also have replacement pins for the opposite end of the spring that are greasable also. I figure that is less mandatory, especially since poly is usually graphite impregnated, so won't benefit as much from grease.

I did think about custom springs, but really, a lot of stuff on my list would still be needed on top of the $850, so it's still out of my short term budget.

Geof

 

[toddslater]

My 0.02. Get anti-inversion extended shackels...(JTO's are cheaper than SOR). Get the poly bushings and opt for the 4* shims. If the shims give a little more castor, that is not a bad thing...espicially if running wider tires on ugly grooved asphalt. A little more castor and it wants to track straight. Again my 0.02 on a cheap little bit o' lift. Your stok pins should be fine with only adding in the shims.