Rear shackle flip for pre 76 rigs

[waggin'ear]

Anyone have pics?

Anyone do a tech write up?

How badly does it screw up the pinion angles and what adjustments need to be made?

Thanks

[Stuka]

I will be doing a tech write up when I get around to it. Still working on the one for my detroit.

The pinion points up a lot. Its in line with the drive shaft, which is great if you have a rea CV, but not great if you have U-Joints. I need to get some 2" blocks that are degreed by 2-3 degrees. So I cant point it down more. Also it will move the rear axle about 1/4 of a inch forward.

I do not have picts of the shackle itself. The rear shackle mount SHOULD be moved forward about 3/4". Mine is not, and thus the shackle points forward a tad when sitting level. Both me and JeepBob have ran our rigs like this for a while and have not had it "flip around". As the spring would have to get about 4" shorter for that to happen. JeepBob even jumped his wag and it didnt flip around.

I cant get any picts of the shackle today as its raining/snowing out. But will try to in the furture.

[Hump]

Just like Stuka said about what will happen when you do it. My pinion was actually pointed above the driveshaft angle when I was done. To compensate I used 4" blocks. They are tapered, and also slightly offset. If you use them backwards of the way they were designed it will bring your pinion back down, and also scoot your axle back to center.

Your title was for pre-'76 rigs, but I didn't see any of them in your sig. If you don't have the rear post mounts, you can't just flip the shackles. You would have to get a kit from RB or fab something yourself.

[jeepbob]

I added a couple of leaves to my rear springs which has helped the pinion angle a little. I have never had a U joint problem, but, I change them yearly as I run hard in sand and deep mud and it is cheap insurance. I keep the old ones as spares and usually end up giving them to buddies that break on the trails. I also do not have any vibration from the flip.
The flip is easy to do, just jack up and support the chassis, put a jack under the axle to support it, unbolt the rear spring from the axle, flip the shackle and bolt her back together.

[Tad]

Sorry didn't take pic's right after I tried the flip but,
This has been working for earlier FSJ's for many years. My wag came with the shackle flipped down and tolerated 30" tires pretty well for an old rig with saggy springs. Seems to me that the shackle flip only becomes a conflict when it changes the pinion angle severly or moves the rear tires foward too much due to the arch of the spring being set more forward.

[waggin'ear]

Thanks guys,

Hump, I've got a '74 J-10 longbed, that I haven't added to my sig.

I just put my 33in MTRs on and they are awfully close in the rear to rubbing the flare. I figured that the shackle flip would "even" out my truck which seem to sag in the arse a little bit.

I tried to get it to flip by using a pry bar and just letting the axle droop, but was unsuccessful.

What size is the bolt that hold the spring 13/16ths? It felt like it was gonna strip with a 7/8"

Thanks again, I should have it done by tommorrow.

[ November 07, 2002, 09:06 PM: Message edited by: waggin'ear ]

[porkchop]

I have made a kit to do the flip with out having to add blocks or more springs. It will raise the rear of the wag 6.5-7 inches to compensate for the front SOA. I was going to start making kits for people but I moved. Now I am getting ready to leave the states soon so I have no time. That's way I am selling my wag. If you want a copy of my plans just email me.

If you look in the archives there are pics of my flip there. If not I can email you some. Or you can drive down and take a look. I am 2 hours from you.

[waggin'ear]

Thanks PC

I am still not sure if I am keeping this truck. I was just using it to "store" my new MTR's. So I was just looking for a quick fix to prevent any damage to the tires.

Now if your interested in helping me (read: pretty much you doing it with me handing you stuff,including beers and a little cash for your time and expertise of course, maybe I can vaccinate your dogs for you)with the SOA, that might be a whole different story.

My mechanical ability is pretty much "bolt-on" only right now. BUT with an experienced mentor, Hmmmmm.....

[waggin'ear]

Man I bailed on the shackle flip today.

I couldn't get the bolt that holds the spring in the shackle off. The nut was on the outside (lateral) side of the spring and the bolt was on the inside (medial). This means that the frame prevented me from getting that bolt out and freeing up the spring. I would have had to remove the U bolts and spring pack from the axle and slid the shackle off of the post mount.

I figured PITA and busted out the sawzall!

Worked like magic, No rubbing.

[porkchop]

So you took the easy way out, LOL! :D . I still may be able to help you out. I am still getting my house to be mine so I am busy with that. Plus the UN vote today sort of puts a damper on my long term plans, :( .