Revolver Shakles?

Re: Revolver Shakles? Lots of hype...

In reply to:

Chris Overacker who thought up the Ford 8.8 swap in the YJ's answered to tell me what he has experienced. He said that the buggy spring is good for about 2" of down travel, and the shackle is good for about 10".
He did say that the shackle is more expensive than the buggy spring, because you have to replace drive shafts, brake lines, shocks, and have a SYE kit on your t-case to see the full effect.

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First of all, This Chris guy doesn't know his stuff, or you are not telling up what he said exactly.
Lets start with the assumption that the Jeep in question still has the stock shackle placement arrangement (i.e. no shackle reversal).
Now saying this, there is no way you need longer driveshaft travel for the Revolver shackle, or the buggy leaf, unless you were pushing the limits in the first place. I will agree with the slip yoke eliminator being needed - shoot, I think all of them need that!
Anyway, you do not get 10" extra travel out of a Revolver shackle setup - You can't. Consider a basic shackle lift - we can all agree that assuming the axle is located in the center of the spring, for every inch of shackle length added to one end, you get half of that in lift. Using that same rule, you would have to have the Revolver shackle be over 25" long when fully extended. the stock shackle is what, 3" long, so the first 3" of droop is the same as stock, after that the shackle must open up 20", and even that is not long enoough tsince the design of the shackle means that to prevent hyper-extension it cannot open all the way up (must be less than 180 degrees).

In my opinion, the "revolving" part is not necessary. A local company markets the same folding shackle principle called a HyperShackle, but without the twist part. Guess what, it works just as well, and eliminates the potential failure point of the revolver. Guess what else - theirs are much cheaper too!

Anyway, after all of my rambling, I really like the idea of folding shackles. I don't like the Revolver shackles however - for both their rediculous high price as well as the (IMHO) underbuilt revolving part.

David
[email protected]
http://www.tennessee4x4.com/toyota

Re: Revolver Shakles? Lots of hype...

Okay, just to keep this straight here is the email from Chris at MORE:

Thanks for writing. The revolvers get the thumbs up! I sure like them on my YJ. The artiulcation is awesome and the on road driving is not affected. However, be prepared to modify just about every component on your Jeep to install them with a S.R.S. The following items need to be addressed: Shock length, brake lines, drive shaft, steering and, trac bar. The buggy spring S.R.S. is still a fine way to go and quite a bit more affordable.
Keep on Jeepin'.
Chris @ M.O.R.E.

Here is where I got the drop information:
http://www.wyojeep.com/right.htm

The information at their web site says:
To increase the effectiveness of the Revolver, check your brake cable length and shock length. The rear drive shaft must be modified with an after market fixed yoke style or CV joint style driveshaft.
The Revolver has the potential of letting the front spring droop 9" and the rear spring 10".

Re: Revolver Shakles? Lots of hype...

I have had the Revolvers on my '90YJ for about 4 months now and absolutely love them!!!! The articulation is incredible and, yes DRM,
They actually do have that much travel provided you have the correct shock length! I'll gladly send you a picture if you'd like! There are
a few points to consider...1) A slip Yoke Eliminator is a MUST, 2) Extended Bump stops are adviseable, 3) I had to use a 2" body lift
as well, 4) Extended Brake Lines are a must, 5) Rerouting of the E-Brake Cable is a must, 6) Exhaust bracket relocation is adviseable.
All in All, they ARE worth the cash!

Oh, and the reason for the pivot...I'd rather have my springs level than twisted...without the pivot, your springs would twist, eah end going in opposite directions.

If anybody's in AZ near Phoenix and wants to see them in action...Email me.

Jeeper

Re: Revolver Shakles? Lots of hype...

In reply to:

I'll gladly send you a picture if you'd like

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attach one to your next reply...

Say what you want, but the math does not lie.

In reply to:

Oh, and the reason for the pivot...I'd rather have my springs level than twisted...without the pivot, your springs would twist, eah end going in opposite directions.

Click to expand...

The revolver part only works on compression, and just barely on droop. BTW, the ends stay the same place, the center of the spring is what twists.

Like I have said, do a comparison between Revolvers and standard folding shackles the same dimentions at the revolvers (but withouth the revolving part) - my money says the Revolver does not give you any extra travel. It is called a "gimic" in the business world, and is just used to draw in customes.
BTW I have nothing against the makers of the Revolver, it is just that I hate seeing people pay out hard earned money to something that does not help.

HyperShackles are $130 a pair, SO at $260 a set, that is still half of what they want for Revolver shackles, and all the same travel. Check Leon Rosser Jeep, I think they are selling them now...

As far as my experience with folding shackles - I have been working on a design for the last few months for my Toyota truck. I have run all the numbers I can, so I am pretty sure I know what they are capable of. I have also seen the HyperShackles in action.

David
[email protected]
David's 4x4 Page