shackle flip pro's and con's.

[buffblazer]

ok i see lots of people on here talking about doing shackle flips now my question is why did GM not do this with from the factory? whats the benifit of having them facing up? i know that flipping them adds lift and allows for better articulation but what are the downsides? i guess like the title says whats the pro's and con's for having them stock or flipped depending on what you use your vehicle for. thanks

 

[rdn2blazer]

Im not 100% sure but I dont think there is a con, one is no different then the other as far as purpose, one is compression, the other is tension. Flips allows for a lift with a stock spring. Just thinking about it, IMO I would say a factory shackle setup MIGHT BE a "smoother" ride on road, I doubt you would really be able to tell the difference though, but doesen't offer the flexability of a shackle flip off road.

Obviously a shackle flip works VERY well, hence the reason so many guys here run flips. If you wondering the difference between the two cause your not sure if you should do a flip or not, dont waste your time over thinking it. If you just dont want to take the time to do the flip as it is some work, Everyone will tell you a lift spring will allways be stiffer so your ride, on road and flex will suffer. just my .02 cents.

 

[buffblazer]

If you search a little, you'll find this is one of the "Oh no, not again..." topics...

ah sorry i will look around some

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

It doesn't matter if the shackle is pointed up or down. GM chose to put them the way they did for whatever reason (packaging probably).

The shackle flip is just an easy way to get lift. At the same time, you can flatten the shackle angle which makes the effective spring rate smaller (the springs feel softer) and if you angle the shackle like most people do you can get more downtravel.

A neutral shackle angle (like the stock shackle angle) is setup for equal up and down travel, but leaf springs always have more downtravel than uptravel which is why people change the shackle angle like they do.

There's nothing wrong with a shackle flip at all, IMO that's the way to get the lift you need.

 

[blazin_blazer]

i'm running a 12'' swamprunner lift, and i went w/the flip so i could get rid of the rear 4'' block, for less axle wrap...plus it helped my pinion angle!

 

[vortec]

i'd guess that running a stock shackle as a compression shackle would be harder on it than stock position. some flips are designed to use the stock shackle. if i get one, i'm going with one that uses beefy aftermarket shackles. really, i can't believe how puny the shackles on the rear of the front springs are. i plan to swap mine for something stronger.