[Dan Fredrickson]

Originally Posted by Bounty__Hunter

Shackle reversal is moving the front spring shackles from in front of the axle to behind, and using solid spring hangers in front. It's okay on the road if done right, but does nothing to improve offroad capability.

Actually it does alot offroad in the line of protecting your leafsprings. By moving the shackles to the rear you gain in approach angle by the length of your shackles. Since they are no longer going to be the first thing you hit they also save alot of spring damage (bending the top leaf) by not exerting force from the bottom directly to the top leaf when the shackles impact. You can gain 15 degrees in approach angle with a shackle reversal.

I have rigs with it and rigs that have not had it done and I cannot discern any difference while driving but you do need to turn the knuckles if you do it.

	Approach Angle Starting from level ground, this is the degree of slope a vehicle can approach without scraping or hitting the front undercarriage. It's a great indication of the ability to navigate severe off-road terrain like boulders and logs. A short front overhang produces high angles of approach, thus increasing off-road ability.