suspension lift+hinge shackles

[GaryMB]

I was pretty set on a getting a bds lift for my jeep, but came across a set of rancho 2.5" springs for $80, shocks for $50, and a pitman arm for $15. I already have lift shackles, ss brake lines, and a t-case drop. I'm thinking that I'll go ahead and get this setup to help me clear some 33's and maybe go with better springs later on. My question is though, how do rancho leaf springs do offroad? And to gain more droop, is it possible to just fab up some hinge shackles with some 1/2" steel plate? Or would I have to incorporate bushings into the hinging part?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I've seen homemade revolver shackles, one set was even made out of two sets of stock YJ shackles. You need to incorporate a block so the shackles have a resting height, so they don't collapse on themselves completely. A joint allowing the shackle to twist wouldn't be a bad idea either, similar to real revolvers.

Rancho springs have a history of being pretty stiff, but used ones may have softened up and you can't hardly beat the price. I would avoid Rancho RS5000 shocks, or any other gas-charged shock to keep the ride tolerably smooth.

Were you getting vibes? Was that the reason for the TC drop?

 

[TwistedCU]

Would 2.5 inch suspension look good on 2" body & 32

Rancho springs are by their own definition "racing springs". Not very ride friendly but very tough. I can't imagine they would flex very well either. Like Bounty said though, the price is right. Doesn't sound like a daily driver so what the heck, you can always sell them for what you paid if you hate 'em.

I think Bounty meant XJ shackles for the home made revolvers?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Nope, YJ, the ones I saw just used 4 sideplates. Although at least on XJ shackle per side sounds doable.

 

[GaryMB]

Re: Jeep on Hogan's Heros'?

It looks like i could combine an xj shackle and cj shacke in the rear and that way i would have bushings at the pivot. I think that a stock xj shackle up again the frame and my 6" cj shackle going to the spring will provide the correct dimensions, and a fair amount of droop. So would the block hit at maximum compression, or would the shackle be resting on it at normal ride height?

 

[GaryMB]

The tc drop was on my jeep when i bought it, along with extended ss brake lines...don't know why. Also, does anyone know the dimensions of the xj shackles? I just assumed they were around 4" long and fit 2.5" wide springs. Oh and the shocks are trailmaster.

 

[TwistedCU]

I can measure my stock XJ shackles tommorow if nobody posts up. I have a set sitting useless on the floor of my YJ.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

You can barely see the white nylon block in the top shackle, it allows the two shackle halves to rest on each other when closed. This nylon block is retained with two small bolts, so it's all serviceable.

 

[GaryMB]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Yep

well it turns out the springs were free, the only catch was i had to haul away a pair of rear wrangler lift springs and rear wagoneer springs too. So the rear cj lift springs are 6 leaf and definately not new. The wrangler springs look like they will add about a half inch more height than the 2.5" cj springs, are 4 leaf, and are pretty new. I'm thinking of using the rear wrangler springs and front cj springs. Would they work on the cj?

 

[currupt4130]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Yep

yes the rear cj springs and wranglers were the same width, also, ive seen the pivot mechanism built as a nut and bolt with the nut welded onto a sleeve and the sleeve on a bolt so that it would rotate in both dimensions. imagine one shackle and inplace of the bushing have the bolt sleeve combo, and on another shackle have a nut sleeve combo so it would rotate somewhat and still stay together. not saying its the best way, just the only way ive seen the homemade ones done.

 

[laneiac]

My ranchos are very stiff, but flex very well and have not sagged one bit in the three years I have ran a hard top and full size spare. I am keeping these springs when I go SOA.

 

[TwistedCU]

Stock XJ shackles' height is 3", (center of bolt holes)
The bottom is 2 3/4" for the spring eye (inside measurement)
The bottom is 3" (outside measurement which I would suspect you would not need?) as the steel sides of the shackles are 1/8" thick

The top is 2 3/4" from the outsides of the frame mount bushing sleeve

Let me know if you need a set cheap

 

[GaryMB]

Would it be possible to military wrap the lift springs using my old cj springs or the wagoneer springs? It looks like using the xj shackles in conjuction with my lift shackles would provide about maybe 1/2" of lift, so I think I'll give them a try. TwistedCopper, do you do paypal?

 

[TwistedCU]

Sure I do Paypal but I prefer you do it using their instant bank transfer instead of using a credit card. Their fees get ugly with credit card transactions. What's a set of stock XJ shackles worth anyway? How about sending me $8 on Paypal and I'll ship them out to ya? I think the $8 ought to safely cover shipping, I don't need any more than that for them.

If that works, PM me with your email address and I'll send you a paypal invoice. Don't forget to let me know who and where to ship them to.

Harry

 

[mud4feet]

RE: pics,my damage

.............What's a set of stock XJ shackles worth anyway? How about sending me $8 on Paypal and I'll ship them out to ya? I think the $8 ought to safely cover shipping, I don't need any more than that for them........

TC, you're a good man! It's a Jeep thing and you OBVIOUSLY understand.