Waggy Shackle Reversal?

[JDJeep98]

Does anyone offer a front shackle reversal kit for a 90 Grand Wagoneer?
Also, how do you do the rear shackle flip on these? It doesn't look like the rear shackle is attached to a bracket that will allow a flip.
Thanks in advance...
Jim

[River Beast]

Jim.... check out my sig and my site for info on the Rear Shackle Inversion.... compliments a SOA up front.

http://home.earthlink.net/~riverbeast/RB_Kustoms/img9.jpg

Noone makes a kit for the front shackle reversal, but if you fab one up you will gain a couple of inches of lift... the only reason I can see doing this is for a somewhat smoother on-road performance... but not worth it in my opinion.... it doesn't help the off-road abilities at all.

[JDJeep98]

Thanks, RB. I'm looking for 2-4" of lift. For my purposes right now, a SOA is too much and too complicated and I don't have the budget for a spring lift kit. I was hoping I could find brackets for a shackle reversal and rear flip and get somewhere in the 2-4" range. I *do not* want to use blocks! How about AAL systems, are they do-able? I don't want the GW to ride like the axles are bolted directly to the frame, though...
Thanks again
Jim

[tuck]

If you want shackle reversal, you could fab your own. To keep geometry correct without messing with caster, you would just want to make your front hanger drop down the same amount as the length of the shackle.

In order to gain approach angle you would either need to fab a new shackle hanger at the back of the front springs that is higher up (then you won't gain any lift) or change the caster.

Also, a SR will cause the front tire to tuck at that back of the wheelwell instead of the front, and you might run into clearance issues, especially with larger tires.

RB, I think there are off road advantages to SR, at least on the rocks. I have bent a few leaf springs, and I'm almost certain a SR would have prevented that.... the shackle at the rear doesn't seem to hang up as much... at least not when the vehicle is moving forward...

And some claim that SR helps the vehicle when climbing ledges because of arc of travel of the fron axle... just hearsay

[blt2krl]

Tuck, I would think that a SR would cause the axle to be forced away for the object you are trying to climb. Were as now the axle is forced into the object i.e traction. I don't know what is the truth of the matter, just my thoughts.

[ July 16, 2003, 01:58 PM: Message edited by: blt2krl ]

[River Beast]

Originally posted by blt2krl:
Tuck, I would think that a SR would cause the axle to be forced away for the object you are trying to climb. Were as now the axle is forced into the object i.e traction. I don't know what is the truth of the matter, just my thoughts.My thinking exactly, Paul.... shackle up front will force your axle into the object and force traction.... this is my train of thinking anyway...

granted if you RAM and object hard enuf... you will cause damage...

[tuck]

bltkrl,

? ? ? i don't know for sure.. just going off hearsay. i'm guessing that it has something to do with the way the suspension absorbs the obstacle that people like. i doubt there is much difference at all... ??

but I think most rockcrawlers do SR for sliding purposes... it's easier to make a spring hanger slide over rocks than a moving shackle...

[River Beast]

Jim....

2.5" aal's would work for what you want.... contact Brent or Ryan at www.bjsoffroad.com (http://www.bjsoffroad.com) and they can hook you up... Both are members here....Brent is the BIG CHEESE on the west coast and Ryan takes the East coast....

I think they are like $60 a pair... they are full length.... DO NOT GO WITH SHORTY's like the ProComp

[ July 16, 2003, 03:33 PM: Message edited by: River Beast ]

[tomd]

Originally posted by tuck:
bltkrl,

? ? ? i don't know for sure.. just going off hearsay. i'm guessing that it has something to do with the way the suspension absorbs the obstacle that people like. i doubt there is much difference at all... ??

but I think most rockcrawlers do SR for sliding purposes... it's easier to make a spring hanger slide over rocks than a moving shackle...Yah, just watch your rock fangs, ya don't want to get hung up on 'em...

[JDJeep98]

Thanks, Todd,
That sounds like a plan. :D
Actually, I want 4", but 2.5" for now is a start. I can always go with a taller plan later. :cool:
I'll give BJs a buzz when I get a chance.
By the way, how complex is installation of AALs? I'm fairly handy with tools (I do most of my own work on my TJ). I was just wondering. :confused:
Thanks again for the info.
Jim

[Kris]

Originally posted by River Beast:

No one makes a kit for the front shackle reversal...Ahhh...
But, yes, someone does make a reversal kit for FSJ's...
Try T and J Off-Road at 714.633.0991

T and J Shackle Reversal Kit (http://www.tandjperformance.com/products-suspension-shacklereversal.htm)

I have seen their kit and the brackets are really tall but will keep the stock geometry.
Also,
I am not endorsing their stuff, I'm just letting you know it is out there...
:D
kris.

[DieselSJ]

I will definitely endorse their stuff. I have used a lot of it and it is top quality. Reversing the front shackle gives a huge improvement in the ride and handling on-road.

[blt2krl]

Originally posted by Wagonator aka 74 Wag:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by tuck:
bltkrl,

? ? ? i don't know for sure.. just going off hearsay. i'm guessing that it has something to do with the way the suspension absorbs the obstacle that people like. i doubt there is much difference at all... ??

but I think most rockcrawlers do SR for sliding purposes... it's easier to make a spring hanger slide over rocks than a moving shackle...Yah, just watch your rock fangs, ya don't want to get hung up on 'em...</font>[/QUOTE]thats why I'm running 37's now and 38.5 to 42 after the one ton swap. :D I'm just curious as to the real reasons why for the conversion. Never seem to find a real difinitive anwser..

[Stuka]

Another think about a SR is you cant run revolvers up front. And you will need a drive shaft that has a higher operating angle, because when the axle droops, it will rotate the opposite direction, making the pinion point more down.

[River Beast]

Kris,

I stand corrected!!! Nice find for those who want the SR... but I know of noone running this kit on the FSJ....

Jim,

AAL's are a simple install... you just disassemble the spring packs and place the AAL in the proper placing.... the top spring should be longer than the AAL and the one below it shorter. I advise you to get new springpins as you will need longer ones anyway if the AAL's dont come with them. You don't necessarily have to remove the springs from the rig either... if you have (2) 'C' clamps, one on each side of the spring pin.... it's an easy job...