Topic: shackles

[foxtrot89]

Currently on my 1989 Toyota 4runner, there are some ghetto rigged shackles. There is 8 1/2 inches between the middle of each hole (top bolt to bottom bolt). I am looking to purchase some new shackles, espically since they are on sale right now. since marlin only makes 6 inch shackles (hole to hole, or end to end?) what else could I do to make up the other 2 1/2 inches 

[bleakhorizon]

do you really need the extra 1.25 inches of lift your going to loose?..    maybe add an extra leaf, or some type of zero rate piece of steel (sorta like a lift block just smaller).......

guess this would work for the front and the rear.....since i dont know which end your talkn bout

[foxtrot89 [OP]]

sorry, rear. so when they say 6 inch shackles, is that 6 inches longer than stock or 6 inches al together? where do you get 1.25?

[foxtrot89 [OP]]

also, whats the differenct between the 89+ and 88-? and is it a set of two that comes in the kit? i assume lol

just looked at your build thread, those are the same rear shackles that I have currently

[bleakhorizon]

i think the 89+ has thicker leafs like 3" as where the earlier are 2 1/2. not sure on this though

6" usually refer to bolt holes center to center...

shackles only lift half the spring so if you have a 6" shackle and you put a 8" set on it would be a 1" difference.. unlike if you throw a 2" block in you would get 2" of lift...

lol... those shackles suck... but they work for me at the time being, and i ALWAYS carry my stockers,  just in case lol

[foxtrot89 [OP]]

ok cool, that makes sense. those shackles have worked as my rear bumper

I have 63" chevy's, so do you know if they will work with those?

[Phazertwo]

i think the 89+ has thicker leafs like 3" as where the earlier are 2 1/2. not sure on this though

6" usually refer to bolt holes center to center...

shackles only lift half the spring so if you have a 6" shackle and you put a 8" set on it would be a 1" difference.. unlike if you throw a 2" block in you would get 2" of lift...

lol... those shackles suck... but they work for me at the time being, and i ALWAYS carry my stockers,  just in case lol

This actually depends on your shackle angle, which will change with shackle length.

If you need a custom length shackle, just go to the steel yard and get some 2inx3/8 starp.  Cut it into 4 pieces, than clamp those 4 pieces together and gang dill all the holes all at once.  This makes it much faster, and you know that they are all the same. If you wanna get real fancy, grind the corners round.

Remember that shackles are not a science.  What works for me may not work for him or you or the next guy.  I would say if you don't have the equipment to make your own, order the big ones from Marlin, and find a fat anti wrap leaf, cut it so its just a block and add it to your leaf pack.

PZ

[rockin86runner]

ok cool, that makes sense. those shackles have worked as my rear bumper

I have 63" chevy's, so do you know if they will work with those?

do you have the overload spring on.... i cut mine so its kinda like a small block lift

[yjay]

Why not drill new 18mm holes in your existing shackles where you need them and cut the excess off ?

[Sparkplug]

If you need a custom length shackle, just go to the steel yard and get some 2inx3/8 starp.  Cut it into 4 pieces, than clamp those 4 pieces together and gang dill all the holes all at once.  This makes it much faster, and you know that they are all the same. If you wanna get real fancy, grind the corners round

PZ

Just did this today, made shackles for 8 bucks, and still have enough steel to make 2 more sets up to 9 inches long. Bought the steel at Tractor Supply Co

[Volcom]

If you're going to make some 8" shackles, I'd suggest some kind of brace in the middle.  I'm running 5.5" shackles and plan on cutting them down to help me lower my rig 1-2" this winter.  Can you lower the front rather than lifting the rear?

[foxtrot89 [OP]]

thanks for the help guys! I got the shackles, and had to machine down the buushings 3mm for the leaf springs, and it lowered it quite a bit. if I left it here, I think i might need to cut if I leave it here I don't think I could lower the front, unless I remove some leaves.