Superior Shackles

[dd113]

Ok, so the website they say the following

"The design of superior4wd shackles will not allow the differential from moving out of line forward, backward or sideways while the locking pins are fitted for road use. This is due to the design of the cradle mount block, which holds the shackle from moving sideways; it is impossible for the lower spring yoke to twist until one shackle becomes open.

Even if the pins are removed as long as one wheel has contact with the ground the shackles will hold the complete diff in the correct position. These shackles bolt on Suzuki, Hilux, landcruiser, Nissan, Holden Rodeo, and Mitsubishi Triton and just about anything that has leaf springs."

So, is your diff moving when you you have both rear wheels off the ground ? Without having tested them would anyone think that it is necessary to safeguard against the diff moving or is it unlikely that this scenario may present its self (apart from intentionally launching off a sand dune etc) ?

Also, what is the distance of a standard rear shackle eye to eye ?

The more I think on this I am considering a track bar just in case. I have some spring wrap as it is and I am afraid that the pinion might snap as you increase the lenght of the shackle making it a longer lever to wrap the springs. A track bar + the strap and you should be fine.

I am considering long travel splines on new drive shafts.

 

[dd113]

Guess I was asking (in my best politically correct manner) will you be there selling stuff too? I'm too used to events where there are as many vendors as wheelers. Look forward to seeing the shackles in action.

When I go to any wheeling event it is for vacation not business. Sure, I will be happy to talk or show off stuff that I have on my rolling pile o crap 62 but there is no overt intent to sell. I dont really think you get the Roundup idea until you go.

The only booth I can think of will Be the Shiner booth

 

[66fj40x2]

When I go to any wheeling event it is for vacation not business. Sure, I will be happy to talk or show off stuff that I have on my rolling pile o crap 62 but there is no overt intent to sell. I dont really think you get the Roundup idea until you go.

The only booth I can think of will Be the Shiner booth

Shiner Booth it is first one's on me

 

[dawgdaze]

My God, don't go into any booth David may have visited. Have you seen the crap he eats?

 

[dd113]

Of course it gets a bit more complicated! With the mods I listed above minus the track bar but with a strap I think you will be fine with them. The only additional thing to add is Ford ft shock towers to get longer shocks.

This will allow you to get around 80% of the max possible flex. If you run 33"s, a 2.5" lift you will be golden.

I just cant do that! With 35"s the tire get smashed into the wheel well. A 2" body lift and some possible fender trimming should fix this. I think I will pull out the inside of the fender as well.

Most people will need to shorted their shaft but only by 3/4" or so then adj the strap so you have 1/2" or so before the shaft bottoms out. The front shaft should be fine on most trucks.

I have about decided to go with long splined shafts to get max flex and avoid any issues.

 

[CruisinGA]

You could make one of those reciever hitch tube driveshafts for the front. Never spins that fast, strong and as much slip joint as you want.

 

[dd113]

Valid idea but I blew the FF this summer and ended up driving around 50 miles through the Rockies on ft wheel drive only. Had i had a square shaft I would not only have had to fix that but also ft pinion seal, ft TC seal and very possibly ft tc output bearing. For the $200 or so for a new shaft; it is worth it.

 

[devo]

dd,
What are you going to pay to get longer splines. I checked out here and it's about 300 bucks.
Plus Toyota doesn't make longer splines so a new shaft must be custom built and will use spicer U joints.
devo

 

[Clutchee]

Dearborn-if you want another test vehicle I'm interested!

 

[Chef]

Devo: Woods and High angle will make you custome shafts with either new toyota ends, or re-using your old ones. BTDT.

Why new driveshafts? Well, think about it. Use the rear axle in this example...
Your proper shackle angle is ~45%. As the axle falls, suspension droops, ahckle moves towards horizontal, the axle travels forwards as the shackle straightens. On my 40, with it's limited travel sua 4" lift, there is very little measureable driveshaft compression. This would not be the case with these shackles I'd imagine without a track bar you'd get about 2" of compression if you had long travel splines. I think there's sooo much travel in these shackles that a track bar would actually end up limiting droop, but I'd have to play with it to see fersure.

Also, DD113...I think you're wqrong about your front driveshaft theory. Front shackles swing towrds the rear of the truck on droop, you'll likely need a shorter long travel shaft in front as well. The front axle is going to move towards the tansfer case as the shackles and springs droop...Compressing the springs at either end of a stock land cruiser extneds driveshaft, droop compresses driveshaft. At least in what passes for my mind.

As far as "why is ride quality on the street better?" That appears easy to answer if I understand the photos correctly: These shackles have some cpmression movement as well. The stiction in a couple of greased bushings is going to be much easier to overcome than all the stiction in a multileafed springpack.

I think these shackles would be *freakin scary* attached to a set of TIC parabolics....

 

[dd113]

Got back to work on the shackles today. The rear shaft was made but not yet installed. F250 towers in front and I will need new shocks. Here are a few sick flex PICs.

 

[dd113]

2 more

 

[devo]

Nice looking shop!
Does all this mean your going to drive the C. Monster to Texas?
devo

 

[TheGr8Doughboy]

Do the gnomes on the roof rack warn you of body eating rocks? Or do they spot jeeps in distress?

Sick flex

Chris

 

[Hey Charger]

How many inches do you think the bottom of the rear wheel is in the air ??
Somewhere between 32- 36 " or more ??

cheers
Hey Charger.

 

[Man Jerk]

Dave,

How did you end up dealing with the front wheel well clearance?

 

[lowtideride]

looks like its starting to flex like a SOA....lookin nice....wow that is one beat pig.

let us know a trail report then...

 

[DBS311]

What would a decent side hill be like with these?? They seem to have a tendency to cause a vehicle to lean more than standard shackles. Could anybody clear this up for me?

 

[dd113]

DBS311 What would a decent side hill be like with these?? They seem to have a tendency to cause a vehicle to lean more than standard shackles. Could anybody clear this up for me?

It does make a difference on side hills. I figure I have a 50/50 chance of rolling it now.

lowtideride looks like its starting to flex like a SOA....lookin nice....wow that is one beat pig.

let us know a trail report then...

Not beat, seasoned

majanrk Dave,

How did you end up dealing with the front wheel well clearance?

Sawzall then I welded in a 1/8" rod to the fender lip then beat the crap out of the inner fender and slobberwelded in into place. I cut about 2.5" of fender.

Hey Charger How many inches do you think the bottom of the rear wheel is in the air ??
Somewhere between 32- 36 " or more ??

cheers
Hey Charger.

I could have kept going up. AT the most extreme I think it was around 38"

TheGr8Doughboy Do the gnomes on the roof rack warn you of body eating rocks? Or do they spot jeeps in distress?

Sick flex

The nomes are actually Santas and Snowmen left over from the holidays. They ran off of my inverter.

devo Nice looking shop!
Does all this mean your going to drive the C. Monster to Texas?
devo

The shop looks like a bomb went off in it. Yes, the beast and I will make it to katemcey