Drop Shackles on the rear/maximize articulation

[mountainyoda]

OK.  I want to start a new project, and that is to maximize articulation with Marlins 4" spring Lift.  Right Now I get about 18" w/ a fork lift jacking up any tire.  Thats Based on level ground measuring from the floor to the bottom of the tire being lifted, also the other three tires are still in contact w/ the ground.

what I'm thinking of doing is some how fabricating a drop shackle on the rear. 

Any one have picks and/or suggestions as far as the length of the drop shackle, prows and cons of this matter?

[88_Pathy]

18 in? Man that is bad. Most get 26in+ with the Marlin set up.  What do the shackle angles look like? Is there a bed on it?

[lucky7]

Pretty common problem i would think i wish i had abouy 3 or 4 more " 's of droop that is.

[mountainyoda]

No kidding 26"!  I must have done something really wrong.  Everything seems to ride fine.  My shackles are set to being almost vertical their is a slight angle in this direction "\".  I've been told before that  if I increase the shackle angle it will increase the travel.  Picks coming soon.

18 in? Man that is bad. Most get 26in+ with the Marlin set up.  What do the shackle angles look like? Is there a bed on it?

[mountainyoda]

I'll Show picks soon probabley Saturday mid day some time...

Pretty common problem i would think i wish i had abouy 3 or 4 more " 's of droop that is.

[MiniSimp]

um....any weight in the bed? What is your overall width? and yeah, picture of your shackle.

[Intrepidyota]

Definitely sounds like it needs a better shackle angle. Also, are the springs broken in yet or have they just been driven around on the road?

[mountainyoda]

For the Most Part on the road.  Once they break in how much more flex can I expect.  Like % wise?  I'll post picks tomorrow.

Definitely sounds like it needs a better shackle angle. Also, are the springs broken in yet or have they just been driven around on the road?

[DeadlyPeace]

My shackles are set to being almost vertical their is a slight angle in this direction "\". 

The bottom of your shackle should sticking be out father then the top. Basically if your truck is facing in this --> direction
then your shackles should be at about 5-15* at this / angle.

It will take some time to break them in just on the road. get some off-roading in or you can park it flexed for a while (with different wheels being flexed). Best to do it off road.

[mountainyoda]

Ya its pointing in the direction U specified, and its about 5*.  At the Time I installed them I thought the closer to vertical the better.   Reason being the closer to vertical = more lift.  However I also did realize that they need to be at an angle for them to work.  So I set the shackle mount to accommodate for about 5* with no load in the bed.. 
I remember originally I first installed the shackles to the stock shackle mounts.  Which gave them a pretty serious angle.  So I just cut them off and welded on new ones,. I moved them over of course a couple of inches or so I don't remember the exact measurement.     

The bottom of your shackle should sticking be out father then the top. Basically if your truck is facing in this --> direction
then your shackles should be at about 5-15* at this / angle.

It will take some time to break them in just on the road. get some off-roading in or you can park it flexed for a while (with different wheels being flexed). Best to do it off road.

[mountainyoda]

Ok Hear is the Shackle angle of Driver Rear on level ground, full tank of gas and no load in the bead.

[mountainyoda]

um....any weight in the bed? What is your overall width? and yeah, picture of your shackle.

From Center axel to center axel its 102.5" 

[mountainyoda]

flex pic

[WHITE_TRASH]

 For one the springs need be beaten on to break them in so they soften up.  Second you are running  narrow rear housing and stock offset wheels.  You don't have enough leverage on the leafs to make them move without breaking them in a LOT.  I'd leave it for now and just throw some weight in the back and go wheeling to get them all nice and soft.

[Rockcrawlintoy]

i have mine set like that no weight on them. they flex great.

[mountainyoda]

Those are the stock mounts aren't they.?.   Should have left the stock ones on

i have mine set like that no weight on them. they flex great.

[mountainyoda]

For one the springs need be beaten on to break them in so they soften up.  Second you are running  narrow rear housing and stock offset wheels.  You don't have enough leverage on the leafs to make them move without breaking them in a LOT.  I'd leave it for now and just throw some weight in the back and go wheeling to get them all nice and soft.

Are drop shackles bad?  It seems that no ones in to it?  Any one got pros/cons and or pics of drop shackles in action?

[Rockcrawlintoy]

stock mounts in stock location with chevy leaf springs

[mountainyoda]

stock mounts in stock location with chevy leaf springs

nice.  Do you think making a drop shackle is bad, or unnecessary?  Or should I Just reposition what I have?  Or Do nothing?

[Mavericks]

My rear shackle angle isn't much better I just throw couple spare tires in and go wheeling. I do have 2inch backspaced wheels and a pretty wide tire so that helps. I would run it for awhile and break them in and see what happens.

[mountainyoda]

My rear shackle angle isn't much better I just throw couple spare tires in and go wheeling. I do have 2inch backspaced wheels and a pretty wide tire so that helps. I would run it for awhile and break them in and see what happens.

Got pics?

[DeadlyPeace]

Here are some pics of my rear shackle setup with Chevy springs. The top shackle is an aftermarket and the bottom one is a stock Chevy I got with the springs. I have never had a problem with them, on or off road.

[toybuilt]

Here's a pic of my drop shackles with chevy springs. The drop shackles are 4 1/2" long.

[mountainyoda]

Here are some pics of my rear shackle setup with Chevy springs. The top shackle is an aftermarket and the bottom one is a stock Chevy I got with the springs. I have never had a problem with them, on or off road.

Finally!  These are the pix I wanted to see..  What kind of travel can U get?   

[mountainyoda]

Here's a pic of my drop shackles with chevy springs. The drop shackles are 4 1/2" long.

Now that is just seriously clever!!!  Hope its not to much to ask but do you have a picture of that thing flexing and drouping w/ the pivet in middle of your shackle?

[79coyotefrg]

i have mine set like that no weight on them. they flex great.

but dont they smack your bumper  when  you put  camping gear /firewood  in the back

[DeadlyPeace]

Finally!  These are the pix I wanted to see..  What kind of travel can U get?   

Enough

[DTB]

but dont they smack your bumper  when  you put  camping gear /firewood  in the back

Or unload on a steep descent? That would scare the crap out of me  

[toybuilt]

This is the only picture I have of it flexed out from the back.

[Rockcrawlintoy]

but dont they smack your bumper  when  you put  camping gear /firewood  in the back

actually i havent wheeled with it like that since i did the bed bob. i just tossed my bumper on there so i would have something. so far it hasnt hit yet.