shackles

I have a 71 jeepster commando and I would like to put some front and rear lift shackles on it. Maybe just and inch or two. Does anyone know of a shackle that will fit without modification. I am just trying gain some strength and height. I have seen them on other commandos with greasable fittings - but do not know where they got them. Part numbers would really help.

 

I dont know much about shackle modifications but you might want to give the Tech Staff at Quadratec a call and ask them 800-745-5337, They have a number of Shackle options in their catalog, Someone there may know.

Good luck, Wish I knew more about Shackle stuff.

 

Front spring width is an odd ball. 1.75 if memory servs.
Rear are 2.5 very common

So if you buy 2 piece ones it would be fine.

Dont go to high.

 

CJ springs prior to '76 are 1.75 wide.

 

Its the pin offset that makes them oddball I should have been clearer.

 

Are 71-73 the same in this respect? Could you explain the pin offset better, my Commando is 150mi away other wise I would just go look. Do CJ shackles pre '76 have the same "pin offset"?

Thanks
Greg

 

I guess we have danced all around being clear...

What I know applies to the C101 not C104.
The C104 maybe different.


The front and rear springs are longer towards the back of the jeep from the axle point which is the center pin I was talking about.


Rear o---------O------o Front
Axle
Sitting on center pin.
The fronts are narrow style And the rears are wider 2.5.

Because the center pin is off set towards the front standard lift springs (ie cj5.) wont fit without re-setting all the the spring hangers.

Any 2 piece shackle should work.
But the front being a narower spring doesnt like to high of a shackle because it gets wobbly.

Clear as mud huh.

 

Be very careful adding length to your front shackles. As you increase their length, you rotate your axle and change the caster angle of your front tires. This contributes to poor driving and towing manners.
It is caster that causes your wheels to return to center after a turn.
You can correct for the added shackle length by shimming your axle but you may be better off having your springs re-arched or going to a taller spring.

 

I think I got it..
1.75" for the front, 2.5" for the rear, No more than 2" of lift.

Time to start scouring the classifieds.

Thanks
Greg

 

Gotcha. Do you know if adding 2" would necessitate me shimming the front axle? I want to fit 31's and don't need very much lift to clear them. I don't mind re shimming the axle if need be shims are cheep and my labor is free.

 

fitting 31" tires isn't that hard on a jeepster, especialy on the front with all the fender clearance. Budget is important, but adding lift to the shackles and not replacing the springs is in my opinion a no win way to go. To get 1" of lift out of a shackle, you need to add 2" to the shackle. If your springs are old, the road manners and off road flex will be poor. Add that to the caster issues that can come with longer shackles and you won't like driving the Jeepster as much. Hellcreek suspension is making new springs to give the Jeepster lift. I bought there lift springs about a year ago and love them. I run 31x10.5 Dunlop Mud Rovers and have had no trouble with rubbing. If a suspension lift isn't in the budget, I recommend a body lift using cheap boat rollers cut to size.
-Nathan

 

Greg,

The front leafs on the '72-'73 are 2" wide (C101 used 1.75" and IIRC, *some* power steering equipped models also got the 2"). The rears are the same through the year models at 2.5" wide.

Shackles from a YJ (front/rear) can be used on the rear of your Commando. I used some Chevy rear shackles on the front that are approx. 1" longer eye-eye than OEM. I got them at a local spring shop (IIRC, they're for '72-ish Chevy rears and had the "747" marked on them) for about $35-40 out the door.

HTH

 

My bad on the front spring width my originals were buried in snow so I couldnt measure.