Drop Shackles on the rear/maximize articulation

[Rockcrawlintoy]

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

doesnt unload at all. its 100 times more stable than my dual shackle setup i had.

[mountainyoda]

I guess so.  Damn thats pretty good.

Enough

[mountainyoda]

holey crap.  I might use that idea of a pivot when I make mine..  But I'll give U props for the first one to show it to me..   :beerwhack:thanks...

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

[mountainyoda]

doesnt unload at all. its 100 times more stable than my dual shackle setup i had.

What do U mean un stable when U had "Dual shackle set up"?  Like what kind of things happened?

[Rockcrawlintoy]

it would unload at unexpected time especially when side hilling to going down drops.

[mountainyoda]

it would unload at unexpected time especially when side hilling to going down drops.

What do U mean unloading?  Do U mean that the drop shackle would open up and kinda almost make or make U enod or roll?  also were U using 7100 or 5150 Bilstein Gas Pressurized Shocks that might push your Axel's to much.  I only think these type of shocks might be bad for a double shackle.  however they would be kick ass for the front or a rear single shackle set up.  But thats just my limited experienced oppinion 

[Rockcrawlintoy]

yeah the double shackle would open up. i have 5150s in the front but they are new so the shocks were not the case. the shocks should be gooin in the rear soon and the bling will be goin in the front.

[mountainyoda]

yeah the double shackle would open up. i have 5150s in the front but they are new so the shocks were not the case. the shocks should be gooin in the rear soon and the bling will be goin in the front.

nice.

[toybuilt]

I've never had my dual shackles unload on me. Of course they are loud like when you drive over a rock they can smack the frame hard. But then thats why I welded a piece of 1/2" flat stock on the frame just above the drop down shackle, cause I have seen frames get smashed by the shackle. 

[mountainyoda]

I've never had my dual shackles unload on me. Of course they are loud like when you drive over a rock they can smack the frame hard. But then thats why I welded a piece of 1/2" flat stock on the frame just above the drop down shackle, cause I have seen frames get smashed by the shackle. 

All right thanks for the advice.     Once its finished I'm thinking of welding a nut flush inside the frame.  That way If I want to at any time I can run the bolt through the drop shackle, bolt it to the frame and dissable it for any reason. 

[DeadlyPeace]

I've never had my dual shackles unload on me. Of course they are loud like when you drive over a rock they can smack the frame hard.

I don't have that problem. If you look at the bottom of the frame where the shackle would contact the frame I made a shackle bumper. It's about a 1/2" piece of rubber that is bolted to the frame. Works great at keeping the noise to nil and also from letting the shackle rub through the frame.

[mountainyoda]

Does it were out?

[fordh8r]

Here's mine. The u-bolt that is welded on the upper shackle keeps the lower shackle from rubbing the frame and it keeps the two shackles from ever going over-center.  They aren't noisy at all like some people claim and I've never had them unload either. Good shocks should take care of that  .   As far as flex goes here's my latest with these shackles and 63" chevy rears.

[DeadlyPeace]

Does it were out?

The rubber will probably rot away before it wears out. I've had them on there now for about 8 years and it shows hardly any wear. Yet the shackles wore about half way through the frame in about 2 years.....go figure.

[MiniSimp]

Or you could just install Pivot Blocks and get 40" of travel....

[DeadlyPeace]

Did you make or buy those? I designed some a couple years ago, but haven't got around to making them. Didn't think they'd be very safe on a DD, but was thinking about putting them on the rear of Toyzilla with some orbit eyes on the front springs.

[MiniSimp]

Did you make or buy those? I designed some a couple years ago, but haven't got around to making them. Didn't think they'd be very safe on a DD, but was thinking about putting them on the rear of Toyzilla with some orbit eyes on the front springs.

They are made by Dave's Offroad Outlet in Sonora (not Davez Offroad)
Big Mike just used them on the Hammers and I'm pretty sure he drives everywhere.

[bmxicanrivera]

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

That is hind of similar to the design that I have.

[88_Pathy]

With that shackle I would say you want a way to lock out the pivot for street use.

[blackdiamond]

Flex isn't everything on the trails.  Stability has its advantages as well.  I've never been a fan of adding "mechanisms" to the suspension simply to flex better on a ramp or fork lift.  How does that truck wheel?  I know it depends on where you wheel, but I've been more than one place that the rigs with firm stable suspension had the advantage.

Isn't having about 50/50 flex front and rear a good place to be to keep the body level when wheeling? 

[MiniSimp]

Isn't having about 50/50 flex front and rear a good place to be to keep the body level when wheeling? 

Exactly, that is why I added the pivot blocks to compliment my Rears up Front spring packs that flex like mad.

[mountainyoda]

Here's mine. The u-bolt that is welded on the upper shackle keeps the lower shackle from rubbing the frame and it keeps the two shackles from ever going over-center.  They aren't noisy at all like some people claim and I've never had them unload either. Good shocks should take care of that  .   As far as flex goes here's my latest with these shackles and 63" chevy rears.

Way cool man!  That looks kinda like a stock u bolt welded to the stock shackle..  I can't throw away my OG parts either because every time I do, it seems like the very next day I could have used it for something. 
I like the droop end of your set up, good way to prevent it from buckling w/ the U bolt.  It's kind of hard to tell but is your shock on the droop maxed out and limiting your down travel?    With 33 ¾" theirs nothing to complain about but I was just curious.

[fordh8r]

Way cool man!  That looks kinda like a stock u bolt welded to the stock shackle..  I can’t throw away my OG parts either because every time I do, it seems like the very next day I could have used it for something. 
I like the droop end of your set up, good way to prevent it from buckling w/ the U bolt.  It’s kind of hard to tell but is your shock on the droop maxed out and limiting your down travel?    With 33 ¾” theirs nothing to complain about but I was just curious.

Thanks!  Actually the U-bolt is welded to an old set of Toyota lift shackles that I modified for the application and then those are bolted to a set of Chevy lowering shackles which gave it more lift.  The shock still has room to go but the stock rubber bushings are still in the chevy springs and once it gets that far they start to bind a bit. I'm sure they move more when the wheels are moving and things aren't binding from sitting still.  Maybe I'll put in some urethane bushings next. 

[mountainyoda]

Or you could just install Pivot Blocks and get 40" of travel....

U ever had'em brake?  how long have U been using them? awesome flex though.  got any picks of the same set up w/ out the pivot blocks, to see the difference in flex..

[MiniSimp]

U ever had'em brake?  how long have U been using them? awesome flex though.  got any picks of the same set up w/ out the pivot blocks, to see the difference in flex..

The first set was made out of thinner material and broke on the Rubicon. They are now thicker and seem to be holding up well.
I've been running them since 2004/5? some where around there.
I don't have a before/after because I started with these. Big Mike did a before/after and gained 11" of travel.

[mountainyoda]

The first set was made out of thinner material and broke on the Rubicon. They are now thicker and seem to be holding up well.
I've been running them since 2004/5? some where around there.
I don't have a before/after because I started with these. Big Mike did a before/after and gained 11" of travel.

WOW! Do U know where I can find that thread??

[DeadlyPeace]

Are your pivot blocks welded or bolted to the axle. The ones I designed are welded. The bolt for them would be a 3/4".

[Rockcrawlintoy]

Or you could just install Pivot Blocks and get 40" of travel....

im gettin 40''+ without them

[88_Pathy]

Lets see it. My rear flexes like poo. And I have tried to play with it a lot but it still is the same. Shackles are 35 degrees, 14in travel shocks, All Pro 5in(old school) 4th leaf removed, Tuffy tool box(filled). No clue why, but it just don't flex. Wondering if the Marlins( new style) are getting better results? 29in is terrible IMO. Not a tread jack just tryin to diagnose.

[mountainyoda]

im gettin 40''+ without them

Don't U have rears up front, and 63" Chev rear w/ drop shackles?   On My 84' I had the same set up w/o the drop shackles totally loved it.