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Shackle Flip?

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Buildflycrash, May 26, 2022.

  1. May 26, 2022
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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  2. May 26, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Most GM, Ford,Dodge etc. truck owners who are looking for more suspension travel, articulation, and improved ride convert from the factory tension shackle to a compression shackle configuration like our Jeeps have. I suppose there might be some go fast benefits to the tension shackles but I don’t see a lot of benefit for most Jeep owners.
     
  3. May 27, 2022
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I like the lower ride height idea with the same springs. This could really level out springs on a front shackle reversal.
    Anyone else?


    [​IMG]
     
    dozerjim likes this.
  4. May 27, 2022
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    It would only work on outboarded springs, and to outboard the front springs on a CJ, you need really wide axles.
     
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  5. May 27, 2022
    Rich M.

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  6. May 27, 2022
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

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    I *almost* went that route with my build before ultimately going with coils. Decided against them for a few reasons, long term maintenance and noise were two of the biggest foreseen problems.



    As primitive as they are, leaf springs with compression-style shackles are hard to beat on old Jeeps for simplicity and function.

    The main practical difference between compression-and tension-style shackles is this:

    When properly set up, compression shackles will effectively lessen the spring rate as the spring compresses by forcing the spring eyes apart through leverage. This is good for our old Jeeps where free upward vs downward wheel travel and a softer ride is desired.

    A tension-style shackle meets resistance as the springs compress, effectively increasing the spring rate through compression. This is great for trucks that carry heavy loads, and on desert racers. Not so great for us, unless we’re building a rig for a specific purpose where that aspect would be beneficial.
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2022
    fhoehle, FinoCJ and Norcal69 like this.
  7. May 27, 2022
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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