PDA

View Full Version : Chevy Shackles

country boy
03-08-2003, 01:48 PM
I read some where that shackles from the rear of a chevy truck can be used to lift the front of a FSJ , but now I cant find it. Has anyone done it? How much lift did you get ? Could you tell any diffrence in handling ? I know it will take away some caster and for every inch longer than stock you only gain 1/2 inch of lift. Thanks
Don S
03-08-2003, 02:04 PM
..
country boy...
... The cheapest and easyest Two inch lift I have seen on an FSJ was #1 In the rear was 2” blocks (like mine) and #2 Some rear chevy pick-up truck lowering shackles used in the front of the FSJ. And #3 31”x10.50”x15” tires.

... I saw a guy do some really nasty trails in Palo Duro Canyon with this set-up and it worked fine. I am getting a little sag for my front end AAL and will soon look for these chevy shackles.

Good Luck ;) and CUL.. Don S..
Big Blue J-10
03-08-2003, 03:47 PM
I'm running chevy shackles on my Jeep.I think I gained about a inch.Did not change the handling of my truck at all.I dont know how much that they will cost you(I have 1975 Chevy4x4 1/2 that I have been robbing parts off of)Probally the quickest and easyiest thing that I have done to my truck yet!!Good luck!
Adam
River Beast
03-08-2003, 11:00 PM
I run 96 3/4T chevy shackles up front... they are 1.5" longer than FSJ shackles and gained .75"

The only thing is they are 3" wide and the center bushing pins need to be ground down a bit and on the spring side I used 2 9/19" washers to take up the gap on the 3" shackle width.
billyrb
03-08-2003, 11:02 PM
What can you use for the rear to gain equal lift? Also, will this work on a 1967 Wag?
Tad
03-08-2003, 11:10 PM
Originally posted by billyrb:
...will this work on a 1967 Wag?Ryan, 67 is rear post mount with shackle pointing up. You can just relieve the vehicle weight, take off the shackle, flip it down, hook it back up. Going to gain more than 1.5" though. Be more like 4" depending on the condition of the springs.
billyrb
03-08-2003, 11:49 PM
??? :eek: :eek: :eek:

So, by this process:
</font> relieving vehicle weight (ie: jack stands on frame at 4 points)</font> remove shackles at both ends of rear springs</font> flip shackles and reinstall
</font>I will gain approx. 4" of lift????

Then what, use a Rusty's 4" for the front?
Tad
03-09-2003, 12:10 AM
Relieve the weight by jacking it up at the rear frame with a floor jack, leave the tires on and on the ground, use the jack stands in case the jack slips. When you get it up just enough that you can move the shackle by hand, take it off (it may be frozen and the bushings may need to be replaced). If the shackle moves freely you only need to pull the bolt connecting it to the rear of the rear spring, swing the shackle down, jack the vehicle up a bit more, reconnect spring with shackle pointing down. You will see it's pretty obvious when you get to it.
4" of lift? - this will depend a ot on your spring condition, might be they just arch back and it's 3, or 2. You can use a block between the spring and axle to get it where you want it.
billyrb
03-09-2003, 12:17 AM
Not shabby.....here I have been talking about Lamont not being lifted up.....but, now that I see it can be a cheap lift, heck, I may just have to do it.......hmmmmmmmmmm
billyrb
03-09-2003, 12:23 AM
btw, Tad, you have pm-mail!
Tad
03-09-2003, 12:51 AM
Originally posted by billyrb:
...now that I see it can be a cheap lift, heck, I may just have to do it...Be prepared, 1967 was a long way back (duh), the springs are probably pretty saggin back there. I run the chevy truck springs from Triangle Springs with jeep bushings pressed in, couldn't save the originals.
billyrb
03-09-2003, 12:57 AM
I'll think long and hard about this one. I may end up just leaving things stock. That way, no larger tires needed, no desire to take the old fart offroading.....I'll use the Beigewag for that one!
Lindel
03-09-2003, 05:22 AM
Don, Les Hart in Kaufman has some Chevy shackles custom made, and I go by there twice a day, during the week. I can pick some up for you, if you want.

Tad, I knew about the shackle flip in the rear, but what works on the front? Can I put late model springs on the front of my 73?
Tad
03-09-2003, 05:54 AM
Boy Lindel I have no clue at all on the trucks, I had my springs rearched and a new secondary main leaf added. I do not recomend this, there was just so much speculation on the Rusty's kits at that time I felt this was easier.
Don S
03-09-2003, 06:38 AM
Originally posted by Lindel:
[QB]Don, Les Hart in Kaufman has some Chevy shackles custom made, and I go by there twice a day, during the week. I can pick some up for you, if you want.
QB]..
Lindel:... :cool:
... Thanks but I have two problems;
#1 I have gotten so decrepped (rotting away) That I’ll have to find someone to install them and
#2 yesterday the 401 blew out the rear freeze plug so I can’t drive it over 50 feet without a garden hose hooked up to it… :D :D
that plug was only 16 years old.. :mad:

You know where I can get a 15 mile long garden hose :confused:

Good Luck ;) and CUL.. Don S..
Lindel
03-09-2003, 06:51 AM
Don, I suspect that finding some help installing the shackles won't be a big issue, and neither will the rear freeze plug. I pretty much think you're surrounded by bunch of helpful FSJ'rs :D

Tad, thanks. I posted the same question on a different thread, so I may get an answer there.

[ March 09, 2003, 01:52 PM: Message edited by: Lindel ]
heydave
03-09-2003, 10:53 AM
I put Chevy shackles on my Wag a couple years ago. I put them on my J-ten last weekend. Cost me $6 on ebay. I gained one inch.
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/getimg.php?image=1963-1987-Pickups/Chevy%20Shackle.JPG

[ March 09, 2003, 05:54 PM: Message edited by: HeyDave ]
max78cherokee
03-10-2003, 02:30 PM
what are some details, or like a list of what you need....what year chevy for what year fsj, etc, etc.
heydave
03-10-2003, 10:57 PM
About any year from 73 on up will work. The first set I used were from a 78 Chevy. The ones I just put on my J-ten from a newer 3/4 ton Silverado. I am not sure if some are longer than others but they all will give you some lift. They should fit 74 and newer. I have done this to my 79 J-ten and my 84 Wagoneer that I used to own.
Don S
03-11-2003, 08:28 AM
..
Lowering shackles are available for Chevys and I have seen some that were eight inches long. So measure your shackles and that subtract from 8 “. Half of the difference is the amount of lift it will give. My front shackles are three inches long so the lift would be 2.5 inches. And remember the caster will change a little. This is not the best way to lift a vehicle.

Good Luck ;) and CUL ;) … ds..
River Beast
03-11-2003, 09:26 AM
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/files/1963-1983-Wagoneers/RBtweak64.jpg

In the pic you see GM '96' 3/4T 4x4 rear shackles up front....1.5" longer...gained .75" of lift. 3" wide and need 9/16" washers on spring side and grind down the bushing pins to fit the FSJ fshackle hanger.... :D

[ March 11, 2003, 04:28 PM: Message edited by: River Beast ]
Jeeptruck
03-11-2003, 10:47 AM
what about some xj shackles I heard some where they also fit FSJs...is that true???
max78cherokee
03-11-2003, 12:51 PM
what can you expect in terms of height. just .75" or is it more?
heydave
03-11-2003, 01:40 PM
You wouldn't want XJ shackles as they are short also. You can use MJ (Commanche) shackles though. They are longer.
I user a tape measure for before and after comparison. I gained one inch. The springs may have settled now to .75 inch now but I haven't checked.
It is still enough to justify the swap in my opinion.
Elliott
03-11-2003, 02:07 PM
Dontcha get about an inch of lift out of using revolver shackles.... you'd improve articulation at the same time.
River Beast
03-11-2003, 02:50 PM
The lift gained is only half the total length of the shackle.

FSJ are 3"
GM I have are 4.5"

1.5" difference equated to .75" of lift
blt2krl
03-12-2003, 01:52 AM
Revolvers and the GM shakles are the same length(revolvers at closed postion). They both net a .75in lift.
Sycho15
03-12-2003, 02:12 PM
Quite a difference in cost though!
Jeeptruck
03-13-2003, 09:33 AM
I was talking about using an extended XJ shackle like the one Rustys has....1.5 inches longer and poly greasable all for $69.00 seems fair Rusty's Shackles (http://www.rustysoffroad.com)
BIGYELLOW78J10
03-13-2003, 09:52 AM
I am running the rusty's shackles right now!

I am quite pleased, although they do require a washer as well in the frame mount.

Here are before and after pics.

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/files/Misc-Pictures/fronttire.jpg

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/files/Misc-Pictures/fronttirenow1.jpg

The worst part was remembering to loosen the shocks so the suspension would droop enough to install the shackles.

I do need to check my pinion angle, and possibly correct it with shims, but it looks more dead on to the case now.

The quality looks to be good, I guess time will tell.

Daniel
blt2krl
03-13-2003, 12:47 PM
Originally posted by Sycho15:
Quite a difference in cost though!Revolver provide more than just lift. IMHO worth every penny.
Jeeptruck
03-13-2003, 10:48 PM
Big Yellow that is what I am talking about....see even his rims look better with the new shackles
Sycho15
03-14-2003, 04:28 AM
Originally posted by blt2krl:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Sycho15:
Quite a difference in cost though!Revolver provide more than just lift. IMHO worth every penny.</font>[/QUOTE]Have you ever seen me make copper wire? tongue.gif