Topic: want to make own shackels

[bdcplayer_83yota]

well im on a budget an want to make my own shackels to cut cost but not sure exactly how thick of a strap of metal to use so if anyone has sugestions please let me know thanks

[DD85runner]

just buy the plates off marlin instead of the whole shackle. i think theyre only like 5 bucks. ill post a link

http://www.marlincrawler.com/suspension/parts/shackle-plates

[bdcplayer_83yota [OP]]

ya true but i think im goin to take the exsperience of buildin em cuz i can make them all with new bolts for cheaper then buyin them but thanks though.

[NorCalToy]

3/8" or 1/2" should be plenty thick

[yota_krawler]

3/8ths is pleanty. I made some 1/2 inch and they are to stiff. they need to give a little... so the other set i made were out of 3/8ths

[86rustbucket]

i dont know man..... out of all the things to try to save a buck on fabbing up, shackles dont really sound worth it

i'd be willing to bet you could find a used set for less than you spend on materials   

and hopefully you dont have to buy that 18 mm drill bit

[bdcplayer_83yota [OP]]

 well thanks everyone for the sugestions an i think i have that 18mm bit in my garage so think im just going to try an make a set for the rear an see wat happens.

[Snowtoy]

A piece of 32"x1.5"x 3/8" flat stock and some scrap tube for the center("H" pattern shackle), shouldn't cost you more than about $5 for the steel.   An 8" shackle will be 3" longer than an oem shackle and will give you about 1.5" of lift.  It should run you about $20 for everything, i.e., steel new grade 8 bolts/nuts/washers, and possible new bushings/sleeves if you need them.  The last set I did the bolt was rusted to the bushing sleeve and I had to be burn the bushings out.  If you have to do the same, you can pick up some sleeves and polyurethane 1/2 bushings from a 4x4 shop for under a $1 each and turn them yourself(I used a grinding wheel) to get them to fit the eye on the leaf spring.

[rsc71]

i just made a cpl of sets with 3/8 x2in flat stock,dont think i spent more the 6 bucks on the steel,a chop saw and drill press made it fairly easy and about 1hr of time

[4runner freak]

You could also use a stick of 2" square tubing, 0.25" wall and cut it in half(long way).