[Guest]

Shackle reversal: pro\'s and con\'s?

I own an 84' CJ-7 with a 4" suspension lift, 1" body lift, and an 1-1/2 con-ferr shackle lift. I'm running 33x12.50 BFG mud-terrains. My question is how much of a difference will a shackle reversal make in the handling of a Jeep. I am getting rid of the shackle lift due to the bad driving characteristics. This is my only vehicle, and is driven everywhere. I'm tired of wandering all over the road. Would I be better off to get those new Revolver shackles (stock height) or go with the shackle reversal? Thanks for your help, Mike O.

 

[Guest]

Re: Shackle reversal: pro\'s and con\'s?

Do a search if no one responds, the topic has been posted.

 

[Guest]

Re: Shackle reversal: pro\'s and con\'s?

First, I drive a '71 88" Land Rover with the reverse shackle design from the factory. I have numerous friends with Jeeps. The difference in ride quality is close except that the reverse shackle design is far more forgiving over any undulation in the road or dirt. This design allows the front axle to move backwards upon impact. This virtually eliminates the bone-jarring ride that you find in a jeep caused by forcing the axle to move forward against the opposing force. Note the bent and broken springs that result from offroading. How much effort is involved in the changeover is dependent on which approach you take. There are kits out there and those that do all their own fabrication. Why would Jeep have continued with such a design until the coil-sprung vehicles?...simplification of production, lower cost, etc..

 

[Guest]

Re: Shackle reversal: pro\'s and con\'s?

The reason for the shackle forward setup on all civilian jeeps was because the stock springs were flat under load. When compressed, the spring pivots around the rear hanger, and moves BACK! like it should. When you put arched, lifted springs on the jeep, it changes the whole geometry, and now when you hit a bump the axle is shifted forward. If you put a shackle reversal on a stock jeep, you wouldn't see much change, if anything alittle worse... There used to be a good article in the jeep tech section of off-road.com...

Florida Mud CJ-5
'77 RB304, t-150 D20 4" 35" swampers

 

[027]

Re: Shackle reversal: pro\'s and con\'s?

/wwwthreads_images/icons/shocked.gif Correct me if I'm wrong,,, but I think the first close to flat spring Jeep in production was the Wrangler in 87.. Given a fixed location, (rear) of spring, any flex or movement would have to be in the forward position with the shackle (hinge) point being in the front. with inverted arch, (which Jeep never used) this would be just the opposite. When compressed the shackle would in fact move rearward and forward during droop. /wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif Now that we have said that,,,, Lets move on. One big characteristic of the spring reversal is the nose dive that occurs during breaking. This is readily noticeable in you average CJ/YJ, due to it never did this before. But that can be lived with. The ride is noticeably better, (softer). You have to contend with the large walrus teeth up front, (the hangers). These have a tendency to get caught on things when you go offroad. You never said anything about offroad/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif. The revolver shackles have a very bad problem/wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif. Going uphill and bounce the front end a little ,,, thay unload lifting the front end even more at a time you want less height/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif. They can even cause a rollover, such as happened in Farmington. Get on uneven terrain or boulder,, low side compresses with weight. High side gets lite /wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif shackle unloads (extends) now you are too high and over you go. This happened.... Just my 2 cents.

GP'n

 

[DanStew]

Re: Shackle reversal: pro\'s and con\'s?

I was thinking about my 63 jeep and doing the reversal. My question is is the reversal just swapping sides?? is there anything else i have to do like brace it? I noticed my hangers are held on my rivits, so I could just cut off the rivets and switch the positions, given that the bolt holes are the same spacing. Then bolt it together with grade 8 harware. Does this souns kosher?? Is there anything i am forgetting??
Thanks
Dan Stewart 1963 CJ5 "Caloosa Jeepers" member

 

[WILL]

Re: Shackle reversal: pro\'s and con\'s?

just remember, the tire will move backward with the shackle reversal. i have a 4" lift with the shackle reversal and 33's. my front tires rub slightly when the tires are crossed up. but... the ride improvement is definitely worth it if this is your only vehicle as mine is.

79/CJ-7/AMC360/TH400/Q-TRAC/d30/d44/33's/RS9000s/Herculiner/Pro-jection 2D

 

[IN2DEEP]

Re: Shackle reversal: pro\'s and con\'s?

I love my shackle reversal! The jeep goes where I point it now. I can actually relax behind the wheel instead of constantly arguing with the jeep. Technically, just turning the springs around and putting the shackles in back is all that is done. But you frame has a good sized curve in it (vertically). If you just took you hangers off and tried to re-install them up front I think you'd be way too short. The jeep does nose dive a little. But not more than a normal car. I'll take that trade any time. When I installed my shackle reversal, I moved the axle forward. I had heard of people doing this with Suzuki Samurias to gain some clearance. I'm waiting on my front driveshaft, but I don't think I'll have any tire rubbing. (I'm running 4" of lift and 35s)

Do the shackle reversal!! You wont regret it.

IN2DEEP 78 CJ5 302 FORD T176/D300 35" BFGS

 

[059]

Re: Shackle reversal: pro\'s and con\'s?

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/susp/elkcahs/

 

[Guest]

Re: Shackle reversal: pro\'s and con\'s?

how many of you have a cracked frame from a shackle reversal? I swear thats why mine cracked almost in two on both rails.It does gain alot of flex, but calls for a fancy driveshaft that needs lots of travel.I personally never saw the benifit of it on pavement,offraod was pretty neat.It did seem to hop alot at the top of climb with a lip on it .. The brake dive on mine was a little out of control,It dived a good 4or 5 inches.Probly looked like a monster truck trying to stop in hurry...I left the scrambler the way Jeep meant it to be and couldnt be happier with it!!!
From my point of view, it just aint worth the effort...just my opinion though.Good luck!

 

[WILL]

Re: Shackle reversal: pro\'s and con\'s?

i think my frame cracks could be attributed to the shackle reversal as well. no problems over 120k miles. less than 10k after the kit, the driver's rail split in half. it's still worth it to me though. i'm thinking of moving my axle forward as well, but it'll be a while before i tackle that project.

79/CJ-7/AMC360/TH400/Q-TRAC/d30/d44/33's/RS9000s/Herculiner/Pro-jection 2D