Shackles with 25mm Lift

Guys,

I have a 1996 SJ413 and currently replacing the leaf springs, was fortunate enough to find a new old stock leaf spring set. I'm adding silence pads and cushions to improve the 'smoothness'.

But the shackles are damaged and have to be replaced as well, I have OEM ones ordered but was wondering if there are any shackles which provide 25mm lift ? All aftermarket shackles are of 50mm-75mm.

My absorbers are new and are of standard length and I don't really want mess with 50mm-75mm lift and all other things that comes along with this modification.

Also, is it safe to custom make shackles? i.e. with proper spec'd steel and bolts.

Thanks.

Regards
Mike

 

Watch out for "new, old stock" springs. We have just fitted a pair to the rear of James' SJ. They were new (boxed and labels on them) but were old stock (boxes battered, springs covered in dust and chips in paint from being moved around). One has collapsed this morning with a bend in it after less than 10 miles driven. Diagnosis from the workshop guy (SJ is back in workshop for final polish) is that the spring leave looks lke it was not tempered properly in the factory. Perhaps there is new, old, faulty stock around?

Thanks for the heads up!

50mm longer shackles will give you 25mm of lift as it is only in one end.

However, they will make the geometry wrong and mess up the caster angle so your car may not self align so good after.

Very much longer shackles will also mess up your springs after a while as the inflex will be too hard and permanently damage the springs. longer bumpstops or shackle stops could help.
longer shackles will also interfere with the approach angle fwd and rear.

From experience anything longer than 50mm above original should be avoided.

Stiffer shackels with either very much stronger/thicker metal and/or reinforcements should also be avoided as they will force the spring to take all the flex internally that before was taken by the shackle. I think it will shorten the spring life.

All this from my own experience. I would be careful to change the shacles on my own SJ's. Never on the original one, but I might just a tiny bit on the lifted one..

Thanks for the inputs, I'll stick with the standard ones.

Regards
Mike