Shackle reversal rear shackle hanger placement

[cahoove7]

Hi all,

We bought a man-a-fre shackle reversal kit. In the instructions it says the holes center to center should be 42 1/8" unless you want to move it closer for a softer ride. My dad and I are new to working with leaf springs so don't know much about how to adjust ride quality and shackle angles. We have 2.5" front lift springs and 4"rear lift springs from alcan w/ 3.5" shackles all around if that gives your more info on our situation. Any help is great! Thanks!

 

[Fast Eddy]

Your application is custom. You are going to have to experiment. No one is going to be able to give you a "correct" measurement on the internet.

Put it all together except for the rear of the front springs. Put all the weight on it with a 2x4 block between the frame and the spring eye at the rear (with safety jack stands too, of course).

Only then can you get an idea of how the springs will sit in your actual configuration. With the shackles on hand, a plan for through-frame or under-frame mounts and some maths, you can figure out where to put them.

Also, the springs will sag "some". "Some" will vary depending on the springs. You probably want to shoot for an initial shackle angle of about 30 degrees or less, so when it sags it will be 40 degrees or less for the best ride. YMMV, and some other people may have different opinions.

 

[MOTOV8R]

I would take a string and run it from the center of one eye, along the edge of the top leaf to the center of the other eye. Attach or hold the string in the center of the spring mount at the front. Clamp your shackle hanger in place then hold the string to the end of the shackle. You want to make sure that as the spring compresses and lengthens the shackle doesn't hit the frame. The string represents the spring at its max length. If you put the hanger too far forward you may limit your spring travel.