Topic: Shackle Lift Worries

[93yjFirstJeep]

So i have about a 2.75" shackle lift on my yj turning 33's. should i be worried about doing any damage if i take it out wheeling? what are the disadvantages of a shackle lift like mine?

[Jeffy]

Well, the shackles will change the angle of the diffs.  The front will have less caster and both will have more angle on the pinion.  You can fix this by getting degree shims to bring the pinions back down.

The only other downside is that stock leafs don't really like shackles because of the shortness of the leafs which puts the shackles are a more upright angle.  The other downside is getting hung up on the shackles but then you can work around that to some extent with better tire placement.

[93yjFirstJeep]

My jeep also rides really rough. i was told a shackle lift can cause this. is that true?

[Jeffy]

My jeep also rides really rough. i was told a shackle lift can cause this. is that true?

This goes back to what I was saying about the shackle angle.  With shorter leafs, the shackles wil stand almost straight up.  You want the shackles so that the bottom where the leaf is attached is out past the top.  So in the front they will look like / while in the rear they will look like \.  If they are | or the opposite shown, then you will get a rougher ride.  This is because in the front the leaf will want to push the shackle so it swings forward and if it's pointed the wrong way it will have to fight the inertia of the vehicle.  If they are vertical, the shackle will not give way immediately.

Although since you're on stock leafs, your track bar has more to do with the ride then anything else.

[Mozman68]

What's a shackle???







 

[93yjFirstJeep]

So im considering removing my front and rear trackbars today. I've read a lot  abouut this on the forum and i feel safe removing the rear for sure. Is it still safe to do this with a shackle lift?

[Jeffy]

So im considering removing my front and rear trackbars today. I've read a lot  abouut this on the forum and i feel safe removing the rear for sure. Is it still safe to do this with a shackle lift?

Yes

[93yjFirstJeep]

Thanks for all the help, is it obvious i'm a newbie? 

but i removed the rear and disconnected the front and it made a huge difference, the only thing im unsure about is whether or not i like the steerig change, maybe i'll just have to drive it for a few days to get used to it

also, maybe i could reconnect the front trackbar and disconnect the swaybar, anybody have experience running their rig like this?

[Jeffy]

The steering will be a little slower since the axle is now able to actually move.  That's not a big deal and you'll get used to it.  Putting the front trackbar on and removing the swaybar won't really do much as the trackbar limits the axles movements anyway.  You could remove the swaybar as well though.

[jfrabat]

Thanks for all the help, is it obvious i'm a newbie? 

Glad we can help; we were all newbies at some point (and I stillconsider myself one, anyway!).

If you remove the rear track bar, I doubt you will notice it on road (off-road, you will just see improved flex).  If you remove the front one, it is nt THAT noticeable, but you will feel that when driving at speed, if you make sudden turns, the Jeep will take a split second to react.  If you remove the swaybar, you will feel more bodyroll in the corners, but if you just drive more carefully, you should be fine.

Personally, I drive with the rear trackbar removed, I use a JKS telescopic front trackbar that can be loosened for better articulation, and tghtened for street use, and front sway bar discos (I take them off for offroading).  By the way, my shackles are were almost vertical when I installed the lit (they still kind of are, but the pics are from the day I installed them), like this:





Hope this helps!

Felipe

[Bounty Hunter]

So i have about a 2.75" shackle lift on my yj turning 33's.

Considering a shackle only lifts half the distance of its increased length over a stock shackle, your telling us your shackles are 9.5" from hole to hole?  Stock are 4".  Your approach and departure angles will suck, the shackles will hit everything on the trail.  Not to mention your caster is screwed up leading to a lot of wandering in the steering.  Then there's the driveline vibes due to the FUBAR pinion angles.

[93yjFirstJeep]

yes, the shackles are that long, i bought the car this way and i cant go back to stock due to my 33's. i dont notice any driveline vibes, but the steering does wander slightly, but its better now that the track bars have been removed

[sharpxmen]

yes, the shackles are that long, i bought the car this way and i cant go back to stock due to my 33's. i dont notice any driveline vibes, but the steering does wander slightly, but its better now that the track bars have been removed

the worry there is that you get a lot of torque on your shackle mounting tabs on the frame - the longer the shackles the higher the forces, twice the length equals twice the torque - i broke one of the tabs with only 1'' overstock lift (2'' longer shackles), so when you go offroad and your axle gets on a steep angle (left/right height difference) keep in mind that it could pull those tabs apart.