figuring out wheel travel and shackle angle

[metalneverdies]

I installed my 4 inch DIY4x flip kit and the 4.5 inch shackles and stock 52" springs. If the bottom bolt hole is on the origin of a standard graph I would say my angle is about 88* or so. It is just slightly off from straight up and down.

I have been reading all types of info all over the web. The most informative seems to be on pirate4x4, they have several well put together stickies on shackles. Unfortunately most are jeep specific.

I am at a loss now. According to their articles, closer to vertical gives the best mix of up and down travel along with ride quality. The more you point the bottom of the shackle tward the back of the truck the more droop you get with less up travel.

If I am going for a good mix of up and down travel then would I want to keep my shackle angle where it is currently? Assuming my shackle never inverts itself and points the bottom tward the front of the truck I am guessing thats how I should be setup?

Once I have my shackle angle how do I determine the amount of up travel before my spring goes past flat? I am guessing I could make an imaginary line from eye to eye and then measure from ride height to the imaginary line and use that distance as my up travel. Then find a shock that would mount between that height and the shock mount?

 

[K85 Octane]

only way to check travel is with an RTI ramp (brick wall or forklift also works) Just depending on what you do with the truck, you can easily add whatever is recommended by the lift company. (aka Kert) I have 5" of suspension lift and run 12" travel shocks in the rear. I go way past flat with my 56s and don't bottom out. I haven't truly checked droop but it's probably close.

you will have to see if you like the 88* shackles. Personally I was aiming more for 70ish* but ended up closer to 45*. I like droop though and don't care about flat springs.

 

[Blue85]

I guess you want to set your bump stops where the spring is flat? How about this:
-measure the distance between the spring eyes at ride height.
-measure the length along the main leaf (52"?) and take the difference of the two numbers. When the spring goes flat, the bottom of the shackle will move back by that amount. This will give you the maximum shackle angle (via simple geometry) and position at stuff.
-Draw a line between this calcuated rear eye position and the front eye. That's where to put the bump stop.