Would you use extended shackles

[lcwizard]

I have what I assume is a 2 inch lift right now and I was thinking about getting the 5 inch shackles from man a free, the only thing that I am concerned about is the towing and snapping a spring. my 62 is my dd and my playtoy. So what do you great people of mud think?

I' don't understand how the shackle length would cause a spring to snap while towing. Your rear shackle , stock, is about 1" longer in the rear than front. If you sit level now be aware of that. A 5" shackle in the rear would match a 4" in the front

I think there's a lot of Aussie posts here. The Americans here aren't aware of how restrictive your rules for modification are. I had Rod from Kamar
here for a week while he developed his FJ Cruiser rear "bar" and we got into long discussions of laws over there. As I understand a manufacturer can't build a component that requires drilling new holes in the frame or welding to the frame to mount the products. Lift laws are also quite restrictive.
I think Americans push the limits a little farther because we can without the government stepping in. Since 1978 my daily driver has been a Land Cruiser of some kind. It's always been a leaf sprung, live axle version and I've always had at least 4" lift that incorporated a longer shackle than stock, generally
about 2" over. I would venture to say I have well over 500,000 miles on Land Cruisers with that type of suspension. I've only had failures on one shackle. It was a stock FJ60 front shackle that I broke on a rock while crawling over a large boulder on the Holy Cross trail in Colorado. Now it has a shackle reversal so it doesn't drag anymore

 

[Crick60]

Completely understand the 5" shackle thing now, initially I thought it was 5" lift.

Lc you are dead on target with that statement, not much liberty down here in straya.....at all really.
The more I think about it the stronger I feel the government should have no say as to how I want to live my life so long as it doesn't negatively effect someone else's. Perhaps that's proportionate to the amount of duck dynasty episodes I watch

 

[lcwizard]

How embarrassing that Duck Dynasty is an international reflection of the world's opinion of us......That's like using "priscilla queen of the desert " as
a looking glass into Aussie culture

 

[niffa]

That's like using "priscilla queen of the desert " as
a looking glass into Aussie culture

What?! Thats EXACTLY how we manly men live here lol

 

[Heckraiser]

"straya" that's the first time I've heard that. I like it. Just like 'murica

 

[elripster]

I am running +3" (1.5" of lift) shackles with my 2-3" lift and they really work very well. The longer lift springs actually work better with the longer shackles than they did with the stock shackles.

Frank

 

[AussieHJCruza]

I'd say go for it if you don't have many cops around your area. They're illegal here in South Oz but I've never been caught... You may want to invest in some castor shims though. It would be a bit better mannered on road with them on. 130 is interesting in the HJ47 (100 is about as fast as you want to go, no caster shims.) Lucky our lanes are wide...

 

[morganism]

I bought the shackle pivot reversal kit, and couldnt re-mount my stock bumper.

Changing the front shackle , so it flexes to the rear is a dream ride on dirt and washboard.

didn't screw up the alignment too much, and they are greaseable.

Leveled out the 60 a bit too....

 

[lcwizard]

What shackle reversal wouldn't allow you to use your stock bumper?

 

[lcwizard]

before and after

You can reattach the bumper mounts and elongate the holes to match the stock bumper on
either the 40 or 60

 

[Crick60]

before and afterView attachment 891992 View attachment 891993

You can reattach the bumper mounts and elongate the holes to match the stock bumper on
either the 40 or 60

Wow that's a neat job mate!
Better than most shops I've seen.

I'm still not convinced about the shackle reversal but you sure make it look good!

 

[lcwizard]

yeah, it seems you either love 'em or hate 'em. I love them on a truck that sees a lot of trails with rock ledges and such. It also allows you to use a
2 1/2" lift spring to achieve 4" lift without the harsher ride of a true 4" lift spring

 

[Crick60]

yeah, it seems you either love 'em or hate 'em. I love them on a truck that sees a lot of trails with rock ledges and such. It also allows you to use a
2 1/2" lift spring to achieve 4" lift without the harsher ride of a true 4" lift spring

Yeah I used to think that way about the it in the off road sense until I started playing around with rear digs and now I feel the further I can stretch the rig out especially if I'm not running racing struts the better. Especially if I'm hung up on something then I can just split the case to front only and dig the rears until she's fully stretched out then engage everything and slingshot out of there!

 

[lcwizard]

Longer wheelbase definitely improves the ride but for those looking to keep the wheel wells in relatively stock position and retain that bone jarring
short wheelbase, leaf sprung ride that we crazy cruiser fans have come to love...the shackle reversal is an option. I've done linked cruisers for customers and thought about it many times for myself and got as far as cutting off the spring hangers from my 60...Just couldn't do...It's like a sex change operation....sure it gives you a new look at life but it's just not for everyone..

 

[Spudman]

Thanks to all those who responded.

The poll has now closed and there a lot of informative opinions with most people showing that they're extended shackles are working fine and minimal adverse responses.

So with that in mind I've decided to continue to use my shackles.

Thanks again

Spudman