Topic: Shackle angle??

[SLIVER]

What is the optimal shackle angle? I have MC 5" springs in the rear of my 4runner and I think that I need to relocate my rear spring hanger further forward to increase my shackle angle. I am getting pretty good flex out of the rear springs, but I do lift a tire here and there. I know that this is to be expected but I would like to get the most flex out of my vehicle. I have plenty of travel in my shocks so I know they aren't the limiting factor.
So I guess my question is, what is the best shackle angle for up and down travel, my springs are broken in.
I hope my ? makes sense.

))--SLIVER-->

[Tice]

I run my rear shackles at about 45* to the spring. Seems to work pretty good.

[MiniSimp]

My rears are set to about 25*
My fronts are set to about 35*

Both work perfect for my setup, but yours may be different.
I think having your shackle 90* or less to your spring surface is good enough if your springs have a lot of arc.

[SLIVER [OP]]

Thanks for the replies guys, I'll go home tonight and see what my angle is, if it is not enough angle do you think that it would be worth it to relocate the rear hanger for the rear spring? Will the flex that I gain be enough to justify the hassle of doing it?
Thanks a ton

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[Ramrod]

yes the flex will be worth it and it will ride much better also, i like my shackle to sit back pretty far

[SLIVER [OP]]

I checked last night and found that my shackles are at 90* to my spring almost exactly. I don't have an angle finder but I am guessing that they are at about 20*. When I set up my lift I put them at 10* hoping that they would settle out to around 25*. What do you guys think should I move the mounts forward, or leave them?

Thanks again,
I will try to find a pic that shows a good resting position so you can see.

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[SLIVER [OP]]

Here is one.

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[SLIVER [OP]]

Here is another.

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[MiniSimp]

My fronts are a little more angled than my rear, but all droop equally.

[SLIVER [OP]]

Yours look close to the same angle as mine, if you think that they are good enough than maybe i'll leave them.

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[tom w.]

You have shorter shackles, don't you, Mini?

[MiniSimp]

You have shorter shackles, don't you, Mini?

Rears are 6" fronts are 5.25"
With the new winch and bumper I think I'll be going 6" in the front very soon.

[88_Pathy]

Mine were like that and I moved the mounts 1/2in and it rides a ton better.

[SLIVER [OP]]

Mine were like that and I moved the mounts 1/2in and it rides a ton better.

Did you notice that you got any better flex?? My ride is ok but I feel that my flex could be better?

Thanks
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[SLIVER [OP]]

I guess not

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[88_Pathy]

A little better flex ( like 1 in more droop). But it was more for the ride. If you want flex look at lbz134s build. He cut the front clamp off the springs and took out the stinky axle wrap leaf. And wow, 42in under the rear tire, it was 24in. Oh and my rear still flexes like poo, but I need to cut the clamp off and remove the leaf still.

[Rockcrawlintoy]

i have mine kicked way back . rides great and flexes even better

[SLIVER [OP]]

If you want flex look at lbz134s build. He cut the front clamp off the springs and took out the stinky axle wrap leaf. And wow, 42in under the rear tire, it was 24in. 

Thanks for the reply, Do you have a link to this build? I did a search and couldn't find anything.
Thanks again

))--SLIVER-->

[88_Pathy]

Here it is. But if you look through the build he added an axle wrap bar to prevent axle wrap after the spring mods. But I feel that flexy leaves need an axle wrap bar anyways, And the difference in flex is worth it, almost double.
http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=33969.90

[SLIVER [OP]]

Thanks man, I will check it out. I'm headed out for Moab tomorrow so my set up will have to be good enough, for now at least. I'll start playing around with it when I get back.
Thanks again

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