Shackles

[fj55mike]

I'm going to attempt to fabricate some shackles for my new 3" Alcans that are going to be an inch longer than stock for my 55. I've noticed that on all aftermarket shackles, there is a link between the two side plates so it kinda looks like this:

|-|

However, on the stock shackles, there are just 2 plates with nothing in the middle like this:

| |

I'm wondering if it would be better to have them like the stock shackles so that when my springs flex there is less stress on the bolts and hangers. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I have some 1" longer ones off a '55 that are in good shape that I'd sell for $25 ($30 w/ shipping?)

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Sorry they are the H type and are stronger than stock.

 

[fj55mike]

Thanks for the offer, Andre, but I've already bought and cut my material. All I'm really wondering is what the advantage of the |-| shape is.

 

[skyshark186]

I would assume the additional support on a longer shackle wont let it flex till it bends. But thats just a guess.

 

[tucker74]

Check out this linky (go to "Spring Shackles") from the Downey Off Road site ... think it's the answer you're looking for.



Tucker

 

[Velocity2]

i dont know but it almost looks like a travel limiter........o dont know but that bolt would stop it from going up to full travel depending on which side....... hence anti-inversion shackles???? please correct me if im wrong.....im sorta stabbing in the dark here........

 

[JohnL]

Hmmmm

Tucker,
If I read that Downey writup correctly, it advocates omitting the gussets to avoid wrecking "the outer collars of the bushings." But their illustration shows teh gussets clearly!

Maybe want to post this question directly to the CCOT guys...their HFS shackles are gusseted (then post the response!)

 

[camcruiser13]

the H type shackles help on road handling better than the ll shaped shackles. but the H type limit flex and are harder on bushings etc.. if your doing moore offroad than on road go for the ll style. there is a big long section in one of the offroad magazines if you want it i could find it and send it to you

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

the H type shackles help on road handling better than the ll shaped shackles. but the H type limit flex and are harder on bushings etc.. if your doing moore offroad than on road go for the ll style. there is a big long section in one of the offroad magazines if you want it i could find it and send it to you

Bingo... The H is stronger but will restrict travel and articulation...

 

[fj55mike]

Well, since I'm going to be staying Spring Under Axle, I'm not going to have wicked flex, but on the other hand, it would be so much easier to make them if I didn't gusset them. What do ya'll think? Should I gusset or not? Informal poll time

 

[Eric_S]

I prefer the not braced shackles unless you are going to make them really long. One thing you can do to help them be a little stiffer is to weld the bolt heads to one shackle plate so they are like the stock shackle. I don't do this on mine.

 

[miletwo]

I'd gusset them, personally. Main thing is to decide whether you'll be doing more on or off-road driving. If more on-road, go for gusseted. If more off-road, go for the || style.

My $.02

 

[camcruiser13]

i would go ll style thats how mine are and i have had no problems, agin i dont do a whole lotta street driving but when i do it handles fine. i do get a fraction more flex with them as well. dont gusset them

 

[fj55mike]

Ok, right now I'm leaning towards not gusseted. They're only going to be an inch longer than stock, and I'll be making them out of 1/4" steel. I also like the idea of welding the bolts to the shackle, anyone else have experience with that?

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I would guess, 1/4" mild steel is definetely too flexy to be stable. That is why OEM shackles have ribs in them or are thick as hell if they don't.

 

[fj55mike]

Diesel,
My stock shackles are 3/16" steel, I don't know if they're heat treated or not, but they're just two plates bolted together. No ribs or other reinforcement. However, since I will be using 1/4" mild steel, does anyone else think it's too soft? in that case, I would gusset.