Topic: skid plates for YJ

[scarabchuck]

wondering if there is a skid plate to protect the front spring shackles ? They seem to hang down so low they would get damaged pretty easy.

also looking for any other skid plates, i don't want to spend a ton of money though.

[oldjeep]

Not really, but one trick that works halfway decent is to drop a tube between the shackles.  It's a good way to keep you from inverting by pushing them straight into a rock.  Friend of mine did it on his CJ and it seems to work pretty well.

Gas tank skids, take your pick.  I've got a warn, because it was the cheapest at the time - but plan on spending around $200

[neale_rs]

one trick that works halfway decent is to drop a tube between the shackles. 

Could you describe this a bit more?  Sounds interesting but I can't quite visualize what was done. 

[oldjeep]

one trick that works halfway decent is to drop a tube between the shackles. 

Could you describe this a bit more?  Sounds interesting but I can't quite visualize what was done. 

Take a look at this picture of my buddy jeep.  The tube is actually in front of the shackles, it acts as both a ramp to get the leafs up onto the rocks and helps  keep the shackle from getting pushed back.  It's on my list of things to do with my YJ.
http://www.mn-challenge.com/2004_photos/Day3ironrange/photos/photo13.html

[scarabchuck]

i like the tube idea. I'm going to have to see if i can come up with something

[yjmyway]

Just get some thicker shackles. But I dont think you need to worry about breaking them.

[Jeffy]

Just get some thicker shackles. But I dont think you need to worry about breaking them.

+1.  Also a good reason not to get lift shackles.  If you're that worried $190 will get you a shackle reversion kit which puts the shackles on the other end instead.

[oldjeep]

Just get some thicker shackles. But I dont think you need to worry about breaking them.

It's got nothing to do with breaking them.  It's got to do with what happens to your leaf spring when you drive your shackle into a big rock. 

$190 LOL - and then add $300 for the long slip driveshaft that you need to go with it.

[oldjeep]

Just get some thicker shackles. But I dont think you need to worry about breaking them.

+1.  Also a good reason not to get lift shackles.  If you're that worried $190 will get you a shackle reversion kit which puts the shackles on the other end instead.

If you take a close look at Nutters jeep, you'll see that those are about the shortest shackles that you can run.

[Jeffy]

It's got nothing to do with breaking them.  It's got to do with what happens to your leaf spring when you drive your shackle into a big rock. 

$190 LOL - and then add $300 for the long slip driveshaft that you need to go with it.

$300?  You can have it done for a lot cheaper.  Not to mention the front driveshaft will be balanced for once.  Also, ride quality improves.

[oldjeep]

It's got nothing to do with breaking them.  It's got to do with what happens to your leaf spring when you drive your shackle into a big rock. 

$190 LOL - and then add $300 for the long slip driveshaft that you need to go with it.

$300?  You can have it done for a lot cheaper.  Not to mention the front driveshaft will be balanced for once.  Also, ride quality improves.

For a long travel driveshaft?  Which you need with a shackle reversal if you have any flex at all.

[yjmyway]

I didnt mean longer just thicker. Sure you can bend a spring but its most commen with a spring over. I've hit my shackles pretty good with out a problem. And I have seen bent stock shackles.

[Jesse-James]

The shackle mount is much weaker than the shackle itself, it that isn't beefed up I wouldn't worry about your shackles.

[jfrabat]

If the Jeep is a daily driver, I would not recommend a shackle reversal.  If you install it on the Jeep, and you have to make a sudden stop while driving at highway speeds, the nose of the jeep will dive in much more than with the current shackle configuration (the axle moves back as it compreses with shackle reversal).  I personally would go with the tube idea...

[Jeffy]

If the Jeep is a daily driver, I would not recommend a shackle reversal.  If you install it on the Jeep, and you have to make a sudden stop while driving at highway speeds, the nose of the jeep will dive in much more than with the current shackle configuration (the axle moves back as it compreses with shackle reversal).  I personally would go with the tube idea...

That has less to do with a shackle reversal and more to do with improper steering geometry.