Chevy shackle install

[AKjeeper]

Well I needed an inch or so of front lift so I bought some Rear Chevy shackles and installed in the front, worked beautifully and drives just fine, not sure what all the whining was about on here about it all of a sudden steering weird and twitchy. Worked for me great and I reccomend it.

[AKjeeper]

sittin a little more level

[AKjeeper]

So far this lift has cost me $89.00 and I got around 5" of lift Id say. I spent 39.00 on rear shackles from a trailer store and bolted/welded them to the bottom of the stock shackle, Im still using the sagged out stock rear springs. In front I found some junk yard leafs and experimented with the front pack untill I got about 3" of lift in front, then I added a chevy rear shackle (50.00) to the front for another inch or so. The rear sits about 1" takller than the front BUT my rear end is Empty, I have no tools or camping gear loaded up so when loaded it should sit just right. As for brake lines I just un-did the bracketry....who need to spend money on extended lines for a minimal lift???. Anyway, Im running 33x12.50's and they look just perfect for the jeep, not stuffed looking and I dont have the "little tire big lift" look either. All I need now is to either find some longer shocks or fab up some new shock mounts so I can use the existing shocks. Shipping to Alaska is ridiculous so I decided I needed to get crafty and do my own lift. I should add that the jeep drives just great, I do not have a drop pitman and I have no bumpsteer, im not sure why, but its just worked out great for me, Ive got some good lift but not enough to effect the driveability of the truck which is great.

what is the application? im looking at the ford ones and there are a few different ones, im not sure exactly which one works.

[Tad]

Originally Posted by jamesdart

what is the application? im looking at the ford ones and there are a few different ones, im not sure exactly which one works.

Mid 70's to late '80 rear GM products.
I found a good place to get them was a local shop that installed lowering kits and bling for the GM folks. They typically toss the stock ones and I got some for free.
I'll also add that I had some Ford shackles, not sure of the year but they were thinner and did not hold up real well in the front.

the chevy ones in the pic definitely look thicker than the ford ones, just by looking at pics.

[AKjeeper]

I bought these from the local auto parts store, the application is for an 88-98 Chevy and 2wd is fine also. The shackle is a DORMAN part and part number is 722-006. And it also is a little thicker than the stock Waggy shackle so I am not worried about it bending on me. IF I was running some 40" tires then Id look into getting beefier shackles and cross tying them but for 33's I dont see myself bending these shackles off-road.

cool. thanks.

[Romanov]

Originally Posted by AKjeeper

I bought these from the local auto parts store, the application is for an 88-98 Chevy and 2wd is fine also. The shackle is a DORMAN part and part number is 722-006. And it also is a little thicker than the stock Waggy shackle so I am not worried about it bending on me. IF I was running some 40" tires then Id look into getting beefier shackles and cross tying them but for 33's I dont see myself bending these shackles off-road.

Man I wish I had known. I have a 89 K1500 I use as a parts store for my 91.
I could have thrown the shackles on the back of a Lynden truck and you could have picked them up in ANC.

[Stuka]

Longer shackles can make your caster angle bad, which is why some people refer to twichiness when driving afterwards. But as to how much it changes depends on your springs. The more arch your springs have the more your caster angle will change with longer shackles.

[That guy with the face]

It's not only castor angle that is affected by longer shackles. While the castor will change slightly it's the spring rate that is affected most by shackle length being changed. There is very good information on the following link. http://www.quadratec.com/jeep_knowle...article-93.htm