View Full Version : shackle angle on early FSJ lifts
dharmabum
11-08-2002, 08:39 AM
Got my front springs on today and after looking at the shackle angle I am thinking that it is going to be a problem. The angle seems to be a little too much. I know it should be at about 45 degrees at rest but mine is almost horizontal :eek: , well not that bad but close. Anyway I was just wondering for those who have lifted their pre 75 rigs with later model lift springs how bad did your angle end up being? I was thinking that a longer shackle would help out but I don't want to screw up the caster angle. I should finish the rear by Sunday so I will have to get everything settled in and see how it sits.
Stuka
11-08-2002, 09:23 AM
Un sagged springs will have the shackle close to straight up...about 15 degrees to the front. Sagged springs will have the shackle pointing much farther forward. As sagged springs have less arch...so they mecome longer in a sence (not literally). Just the eyes are farther apart. Also the new spring will lower down a bit after being broke in..which will push the shackle farther forward. They will drop about .75" or so after being broke in.
What are you doing for the back? shackle flip? Custom springs?
[ November 08, 2002, 04:25 PM: Message edited by: Stuka ]
dharmabum
11-08-2002, 10:24 AM
Actually the shackle is too far forward as if the spring was too long or sagging. I may end up moving the front hanger a little bit forward to straighten this out. For the rear I have three options 1)1/2 ton Chevy 4" lift rear leaves 2)blocks 3)shackle flip. I'm gonna see what option matches the height for the front the best and use that.
Stuka
11-08-2002, 02:06 PM
oh to far forward...strange. I would ask who you got them from about it. or maybe somebody here could comment.
Is that why Todd and some others used Chevy shackles?
Gwamp
11-09-2002, 12:44 PM
Originally posted by 74 Wag:
Is that why Todd and some others used Chevy shackles?They used those shackles to gain an extra 3/4 inch lift.
Originally posted by dharmabum:
...the shackle is too far forward as if the spring was too long or sagging...These are new springs with lift? If so what brand, or were they custom made or just rebuilt?
My problem was exactly the opposite when I did the front. Post a pic and let's see how bad it really is.
La Wagoneer
11-10-2002, 12:16 AM
The problem with using late model springs on earlier trucks is that the springs for the 74 and later rigs are several inches longer than on the pre-74 rigs. Moving the shackle mounts to correct the angle is the only real option. When doing this both the front and rear mounts need to be moved to keep the axle in it's intended location. Failure to move both mounts will put the axle either too far foward or backward and cause fitment problems with the tire interferring with the fenders. Rumor has it that Rancho lists a lift for pre-74 J trucks in it's master catalog that has the correct springs to give a 3" lift.
trickc
11-10-2002, 01:37 AM
Um,err, dumb question but are you positive you got the springs mounted in the correct direction? If I recall the center pin is not directly in the center of the springs, so you may have them on backwards. If they are rough country springs they are bad about putting the shims on backwards which could lead to the same problem.
cocco_78
11-10-2002, 02:23 AM
Originally posted by La Wagoneer:
Rumor has it that Rancho lists a lift for pre-74 J trucks in it's master catalog that has the correct springs to give a 3" lift.Rancho fronts springs are as follows:
1963-68 Wagoneer front 3" RS24043
1969-73 Wagoneer front 3" RS24043
1974 Wagoneer Front 2.5" RS44044
Rear 2.5" RS734
1975-78 Wagoneer Front 2.5" RS44044
Rear 2.5" RS734
Stuka
11-10-2002, 04:21 AM
La Wagoneer: the rear springs are different on 75 and older rigs then 76 and newer rigs. The fronts are the same back to 69 from what i know.
We need picts of whats going on first.
blt2krl
11-10-2002, 05:28 AM
I agree with Stuka. The front springs shouldn't be problem at all. We need some pics to see what else we can find. I had a buddie put frontlift springs off an 1980 chero on a 72 J-truck and there were no problem
dharmabum
11-10-2002, 12:04 PM
Ok heres whats going on. I got the specs on most of the aftermarket front lift springs and they are as follows: All lengths are eye to eye and rates are from the company catalogs or dealers. Rancho does make one for the early FSJs part #24043. The length was good at 44.64 inches but the spring rate was too high for me at 604lbs. They also make the later model springs part #44044 which are 47 inches long and rated at 300lbs. BDS makes late model springs part #004402, 44.5 inches long and around 300lbs(unconfirmed). Rough Country's front springs part #8004 are 44.5 inches long as well and 350lbs. My stock front springs were 44.25 inches long and stock rating is @290 lbs. I went with Rough Country because they were cheap and I could get them asap but they are measuring up longer than 44.5 inches although the part # is correct. They are mounted up and the lift height is good but they are just too long. I am probably going to make a new front hanger to straighten out the problem. The center bolt is the same distance from the rear mounting eye so the axle is in the correct location. The center bolt is actually offset in the springs by about one inch so I put the shorter end to the rear to keep the axle in the same location as stock. I will take a pic tomorrow of the shackle if I can so you can see the angle. It will work as is but I just dont like the looks of it and it will not allow the spring to travel properly. For the rear I used my stock main leaf and added in some lift springs from a 1/2 ton Chevy to equal it out. I still have to finish it up but so far the travel seems good and its not too stiff. Sorry so long but I hope this helps someone out looking for springs. I'll let you know how it goes.
dharmabum
11-11-2002, 10:52 AM
Heres a pic of the angle http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/942184-wagfrontshackle.jpg
Looks a lot forward to me too.
How centered are the wheels in the fender wells with weight on it?
dharmabum
11-11-2002, 12:50 PM
The wheels are centered fine. I measured the rear mounting eye to center pin distance on the stock springs and the new springs before I put them on and made sure the axle didn't move forward. Its weird; the center pin to front eye is about one inch longer on the new spring for some reason. I guess I'm gonna make a new hanger for the front to make the shackle sit better. The springs are pretty stiff right now so I may be doing some work on them anyway to get some more flex.
james1414d
11-12-2002, 09:06 AM
they are 44.5 off the truck not on the truck tho. you need pre '74 springs.
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