TnA: Gen III Adjustable Shackle Flip - Xtra Heavy Duty!

[CFMi]

Hey All!!!

As most of you know by now, Totally Naked Automotive is now beginning to produce some of Twizted Engineering's more popular designs. The newest is a completely re-designed shackle flip kit, built even heavier than the previous versions, and also including multi-position shackle bolting so you can adjust your shackle angles, or compensate for different leaf spring lengths, or even relocate your springs further back and still have a proper shackle angle!

These are not in production just yet, so I don't have pricing readily available, but will very soon. Let me know your thoughs

-Darren

 

[63chevyll]

Great idea. I like it.

As long as they will be available for 1 tons also.

 

[CFMi]

Second CAD Rendering

Here is another CAD rendering from the back, that shows the lower bolt holes and the three nut strips that I plan on including, not only to make it easier to bolt in with a fuel tank in the way but also to distribute the load from the bolts over a much greater area (critical in these trucks with such brittle frames!)

-Darren

 

[big pappa b]

Nice

 

[ccj8008]

Looks weak

Needs to be made of thicker stock.

 

[big pappa b]

He don't say how thick they are so how can you make that assumption?

 

[CFMi]

Needs to be made of thicker stock.

Lol, maybe the rendering doesn't do it justice, but the main formed plates are 1/4" thick steel (which takes 20+ tons of force just to make those bends!), and where the stress will be concentrated, they are two plates thick! Honestly, after running some calculations, the gussett doesn't even really need to be there, but hey overkill is just enough, right? The gussett is 1/8" thick material, and is only going to see compressive/tensile stress, no bending stress at all (that is, only if the other plates see enough force to move at all).
Basically, you could hang your entire truck from just one of these, and not even stress them in the least (of course I don't think the factory GM framerail would like it too much, haha!)

Thanks for everyone's input so far!!!!!

-Darren

 

[CFMi]

...one other thing I just thought of...

I figured it would go without saying, but the two 1/4" thick plates will be fully welded together on these (on the sides and also three plug welds on the bottom), I just can't easily show that via my CAD model

-Darren

 

[nvrenuf]

This combined with an adjustable front hanger would offer tons of wheelbase options. Just sayin...

 

[munepit]

Looks sweet! Im getting ready to do a shckle flip in the next couple weeks. I will do some real world testing for you. Do you have a price on them yet?

 

[CFMi]

This combined with an adjustable front hanger would offer tons of wheelbase options. Just sayin...

Hehe, you caught me! Getting there, hopefully soon after this one is released

Looks sweet! Im getting ready to do a shckle flip in the next couple weeks. I will do some real world testing for you. Do you have a price on them yet?

No price just yet, waiting to hear back on waterjetting the pieces, if it's reasonable enough I might do that rather than trying to cut all those holes on my Plasma table. Accuracy would be much better that way. We'll see though.

-Darren

 

[nvrenuf]

Just realized it doesn't say - 4" lift or..?

 

[CFMi]

Just realized it doesn't say - 4" lift or..?

...Depends on the length of the shackle you use, AND the shackle angle you choose. With my HD shackles at a pretty good angle (for lots of droop), yes it works out to be pretty close to a 4" lift. That was the design intent at least, lol.

If you re-use the factory shackles (not really recommended, but possible) the overall lift should be somewhere in the 2" +/- range.

-Darren

 

[nvrenuf]

Hmmm... I'm currently using a 2.5" flip w/ a 6" shackle but I like the adjustability.

 

[CFMi]

Hmmm... I'm currently using a 2.5" flip w/ a 6" shackle but I like the adjustability.

I'm not sure what brand shackle flip you currently have, but what I have noticed is that most of them on the market coincide with mine in terms of shackle location (height) pretty closely. Different ideas of measurements and shackle angle changes lead everyone to list their heights somewhat differently, so with mine you might actually gain OR lose a little height, depending on how everything goes together on your particular truck If you'd like, PM me a pic of yours with some measurements from the bottom of the frame down to where your upper shackle bolt centerline is so we can compare


-Darren

 

[nvrenuf]

Did you get my email? Just curious how close the brackets measure up.

 

[ion]

I like the adjustability of this set-up, but I do like the diy4x on for the sheer fact of using a standard plate shackle over the one i think will be incorporated with this. I would also like to see the fron hangers, now that peaked my interest .

 

[CFMi]

Did you get my email? Just curious how close the brackets measure up.

Sure did bud! I couldn't get to my computer to see exactly how much different mine are from yours since I was out of town for work over the last two days.
The bolt holes for the shackle in mine are actually a little lower than yours, because I prefer a slightly greater shackle angle than (your manufacturer) does. I think it gives slightly better droop characteristics and keeps your tires planted under extreme articulation I'll send you another email with some actual dimensions so you can compare.

I like the adjustability of this set-up, but I do like the diy4x on for the sheer fact of using a standard plate shackle over the one i think will be incorporated with this. I would also like to see the fron hangers, now that peaked my interest .

Its funny that you say that you like the standard plate shackles. I honestly tried re-designing my old kit with that style instead of putting the bushing on the shackle at first. I like that design for two reasons; first it makes changing your shackle length cheaper, and second it makes my shackles easier to produce. BUT, I ended up going this way for a few reasons; 1st, the shackles I make with the bushing in them are super strong and have way better side stability than a couple plates (even if they are cross-tied) 2nd, this design will allow you to re-use your factory shackles at first, then get a measurement for the exact length of shackle you want in your application before you order them, 3rd, and most important-this design is the best way to
get the adjustable feature incorporated.

Anyway, just figured I'd let you guys know that I really did put alot of thought into these (like all my products) and I try to weigh all options and methods of doing things before I decide on a final product


Also, I finally received a quote back on getting these things water-jetted, and unless I make a hundred at a time (and although I'd like to think these will fly off the shelf, not sure I want to extend myself quite that far out, lol), I don't think the pricing will be good enough. So back to the good 'ol plasma table with them! I will have pricing at the beginning of the week for you all

-Darren

 

[ion]

Darren,

Well shoot me a price for the flip kit and the front hangers to 89706 business address when you get the chance.

JJ

 

[CFMi]

Pricing on H.D. Adjustable Shackle Flip

Hey Guys!!
I wanted to let you know that I have decided to offer these up at $180 per pair to start out. I need to see just how much the manufacturing costs me to perform, and to do that I've got to get a few sets out there. I'll probably put quite a few together at that price, then review everything. Hopefully I can keep it right around there, but so far it seems like that's keeping things pretty thin on my end, so we'll just have to wait and see.
I need to get a bunch of engine crossmembers put together first, then I'll start on these in a couple days

-Darren