front shackles

[k5noob]

I have 4inch front lift springs with 15inch travel shocks with f250 mounts..

If I were to put longer shackles on the front would it help with flex?

I want to go to 52inch springs but I am just doing it slowly doing my cross over steering next.

 

[colbystephens]

yep. those front spring shackles hit the frame pretty quick under spring compression. it will change your pinion angle tho. i'm looking at doing the same thing.

 

[k5noob]

ya I put my front tire on the lift and started to get about a foot and a half off the ground and it started to get unstable.

What length shackle would be best I want to order them this weekend from diy? thanks

 

[MTBLAZER89]

I don't think just adding shackles will help much by themselves. I think moving the shackle hangar like the 52" swap and longer shackles will help.

Lift springs with the shackle in the stock position usually results with a vertical shackle. Moving the hanger forward and longer shackles will result in a softer ride and better flex, especially droop.

 

[andyblack]

I added some longer rear shackles last month and they helped a whole lot with the ride. They did point the pinion up a little more though. I guess they would do the opposite in the front (point the pinion down), which may not be good - especially if your pinion angle is already pretty steep. It 's always been my opinion that longer-than-stock springs need longer-than-stock shackles to work properly.

 

[colbystephens]

To qualify your statement about the rear and pointing your pinion up - you must have a shackle flip?

MTBLAZER89 - I have to respectfully disagree. Logic says that adding longer shackles to the rear of the front springs will certainly help w/ flex. Almost the instant you start compressing the front spring, it hits the frame. Thus, a longer shackle will allow the spring to get flatter easier because it can travel back farther. Ofcourse, you now have to cut out more sheet metal for your tires tho!

 

[NewMexK5]

I have seen people move the shackle mount forward, to the same location as a 52" spring swap and then use a 6" shackle. With stock length springs this should keep the spring eye in relatively the same location and allow for more droop and possibly a softer ride.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

MTBLAZER89 - I have to respectfully disagree. Logic says that adding longer shackles to the rear of the front springs will certainly help w/ flex. Almost the instant you start compressing the front spring, it hits the frame. Thus, a longer shackle will allow the spring to get flatter easier because it can travel back farther. Ofcourse, you now have to cut out more sheet metal for your tires tho!

I agree with what you are saying Colby. It will help with flex, but 4" springs don't have much to flatten out anyway, and 6 or 7 inch shackles will hurt your pinion angle, and probably result in a near 90 degree shackle angle. I was saying that moving the shackle hangar forward like the 52" swap and using longer shackles will help more. This way will result in less pinion angle change, and a lot better shackle angle which will provide better compression and much better droop as well.

You are correct, but if the OP is planning on the 52" swap in the future then might as well do this now, and have some of the benefits of the 52's without the longer springs.

I have seen people move the shackle mount forward, to the same location as a 52" spring swap and then use a 6" shackle. With stock length springs this should keep the spring eye in relatively the same location and allow for more droop and possibly a softer ride.

I agree. This has been covered here before I believe. The shackle angle should end up about 45* \ towards the back which will help with both sides of suspension travel. Just longer shackles the shackle will be like | which will help flex, but limit droop.

My opinion to the OP is move the hangar just like the 52" swap and go with a 6 or 7 inch shackle. When you get ready to do the 52's all you'll have to do is move the front hangar and put in the longer springs.

I run 7" shackles up front with the 52's with a 45* shackle angle. I can use up all of a 15" shock so it travels fairly well.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Best picture I can find while I am at work, but picture a longer shackle in the stock position. It would be vertical, or even angled toward the front a bit.

Moving the hangar forward is the best way to do this to improve flex and ride quality.

Oh yeah one more point. Just adding a longer shackle will also add lift. If you go to a 7" it will add ~1.5" of lift. Moving that hangar forward will minimize the amount of lift gained as well.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Here is a good thread with lots of info on this.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189862&highlight=hanger+springs+angle

This is the best explanation I've found for figuring shackle length:

Quote:
Originally Posted by rcurrier44
Your needed shackle length is real easy to figure out.

-First, you know how far the leaf spring can posibly come back...its when the leaf spring is flat... So measure along the main leaf by bending your tape measure or using a piece of wire to get the true length of your spring when flat.

-Then Stretch your tape from the front spring eye back to figure out ware the spring eye will be and mark it...or tack a piece of tube about the same size as your rear spring eye to the frame in this spot.

-Then measure from your shackle pivot to this tacked on tube - add 1/4" or so so it clears your frame and doesn't touch - this is the shackle length needed to clear the frame and give you full range of motion...

Canmore, I think you'd need to move the frame hangar to accomplish what you are after.

This is good stuff here Actual tech happening in the garage

 

[k5noob]

this is really good info thank you all for helping I think that i am going to move my shackle mount and go with a 6inch shackle so that there is one less thing i have to do when i put my 52s in

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Let us know how it turns out and take shackle angle pics before and after to help people in the future who read this thread