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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: penrod on July 18, 2006, 09:28:10 PM
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Got a 95 YJ with a Black Diamond 3.5" suspension lift on it.
Still have the stock shackles and need to replace them with something a bit "less breakable".
But.. I dont want to raise the Jeep up any more. It's about .5 inchs lower than my garage door at this point. :)
Any recommendations on what to buy?
Thanks!
John P.
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I'd go with some boomerang shackles. You don't really need them up front but they help a lot in the rear. (Although for some reason people do run them up front.) I currently run 1/4" custom shackles that were built on an ironworker at a friends shop. My rears are stock though, I'll be replacing them with Boomerangs when I sell off some stuff.
Oh and maybe people like greasable shackle bolts....
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I'm running the Warn Black Diamond suspension too... 3.5" lift. I'm using Currie's Boomerang shackles. They hardly lift at all, and their greaseable.
There's alot of other companies out there, but Currie is one of the best!
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I'm running the Warn Black Diamond suspension too... 3.5" lift. I'm using Currie's Boomerang shackles. They hardly lift at all, and their greaseable.
There's alot of other companies out there, but Currie is one of the best!
Hey, did the 3.5" inch lift actually put your Jeep about 5.5" higher? Mine did. I guess the stock springs were just weak or something....
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I suggest that you determine what length you need to properly work with the lift springs. You want a shackle that would lay almost flat if and when the spring changes from concave to convex shape (goes flat). The shackle shouldn't bind during that cycle.
To determine the length, take some string. Go along the edge of the main leaf from eye to eye. Tie a knot to mark the eyes. Then pull the string tight and this will tell you where the shackle eye will be when the spring is flat. Measure the shackle length from the stock mount. If you can't find that length shackle, you don't want a shorter shackle. Slightly longer is the better choice.
Once you determine the flat length, make sure it'll work for the extension. Take the string once again. Locate the center pin and mark it's location on the string (knot). Then pull the string down under the axle and make it droop. The backend of the spring will not be straight like the string as it's a metal spring and has resistance. But you should get the idea. The shackle should not be in direct line with the string to the center pin. If it is, there is potential the shackle will compress against the frame and bend the spring. You need to have the shackle forward of the spring to center pin.
A shackle's purpose is to lengthen and shorten the length of the leaf spring during suspension cycles. Hope this helps.
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Well, on the YJ, you'll find that a straight shackle will hit the rear cross member well before the shackle is able to go horizontal. The only way to get around this is to either move the shackle point below the frame, use a two piece shackle (Revolver) or a dog leg shackle (boomerang).
Taller leafs will require a longer shackle then stock through. Although lift leafs will rarely go completely flat and will probably never go into a reverse arch. One of hte problems with short shackles is that they can inverse which is really bad. This happens as the suspension is extended and the shackle is maxed and is arching inward. When the suspension goes back to rest teh shackle gets stuck and arches inward more instead of arching outward. This will usually bend the main leaf and wreck your weekend.
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(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c33/SMC4WD/frt.jpg)
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c33/SMC4WD/rr.jpg)
The lift didn't net me 5+"... but I'd give them a chance to settle. One thing that you needed to do was measure before the lift and then after. You can compare your first measurement to a stock vehicle too. If you've sagged an inch, you'll gain that inch back plus the suspension lift height.
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Thanks everyone for this info. It is actualy proving to be a harder decision on what shackles to use than it was picking out the entire suspension lift kit.
Thanks for the info on how to measure for the right lenght shackles.
And thanks for the info on the boomerang shackles.
John P.