Registered. Go shackles. They lift the rear, provided a better ride and increase ( or would it be decreas ) the pinion angle. Blocks can increase axle wrap and keeps the same pinion angle which puts more stress on the u joints.
Extended shackles and block lifts are illegal in all states.
From memory, stock shackles are just under 4", like 3-3/4" or something close to that. For every inch of shakle length over stock, it will provide approximately 1/2" of lift.
Boomerang shackles help keep the shackle from inverting and bending a leaf spring.
As a rule of thumb, a 2in lift (50mm) requires no engineering or additional paperwork and is generally considered a safe modification. Extended or adjustable shackles aren't roadworthy if used to raise a leaf sprung four-wheel drive.
Yes a 2" lift is worth it, think of it this way On a tourer it enables you to get to more places or the same places with less risk of sill and under carriage damage, it also increases your take off and departure angles which is a plus.
A longer shackle will pivot easier and help slightly with ride quality. Other than that softer springs or shocks with softer valving is the other way to improve ride quality. Removing them completely and getting some RE packs would do it.
Extended shackles are a low cost method of increasing rear vehicle lift between 30-40mm, and they give you an extended range of travel with increased droop. In some circumstances they enable the installation of longer leaf springs, which brings better suspension.
You are correct, springs tend to flatten out over time so that is why your old spring is slightly longer than the # D217242. We always recommend you replace leaf springs in pairs to ensure a balanced load on the trailer when towing.
The potential problems of a broken leaf spring run the gamut from damaged axles and worn, deflated tires to a loss of vehicle balance. Without a functioning suspension, the rear weight of the vehicle could press down on the axles and cause your truck to become misaligned.
The longer shackle will give you a longer swing/leaver therefore more movement & softer ride than the std shackle which would be in a more verticle position not allowing the leaf packs to flex but rather would bounce the shackle vertically rather than flexing.
Yes, the shackle angle is less than ideal. It will limit the amount the articulation by restricting axle droop. But this isn't going to help your perception of ride quality, because shackle angle doesn't have nearly as much to do with ride as the match between the spring rate and the vehicle weight.
How Do Leaf Springs Work? Leaf springs are long bundles of spring material that flex when under pressure from the moving of a vehicle’s axle. The ends of the leaf spring bundle are attached to the chassis of the car or truck, and the axle is then attached to the center of the leaves.
You want about 25-30°(angled forward from vertical) shackle angle. Since you don't have the full weight, you can pull all but the main leaf from the spring pack.
Shackles allow your vehicle's springs to travel through a range of lengths as you drive over different terrains, such as bumps, rocks, uneven dirt and potholes. They ensure the length of your leaf springs changes accurately during suspension movements.
The shackles allow the leaf springs to change in length as they compress and tighten. Although they are a small part, they are essential to leaf spring suspension systems. Installing a longer leaf spring shackle will add ride height and improve performance.
A leaf spring can either be attached directly to the frame at both ends or attached directly at one end, usually the front, with the other end attached through a shackle, a short swinging arm. The shackle takes up the tendency of the leaf spring to elongate when compressed and thus makes for softer springiness.
In any case, leaf springs should be checked at regular durations, which would be every 12,000 miles for most trucks. With certain trucks, there might be a shorter recommended interval, so it's always best to check with your auto manufacturer.
Shackles – Quenched & Tempered
| Nominal Size (in.) Diameter of Bow | Carbon Maximum Working Load (Tons) | Alloy Maximum Working Load (Tons) |
|---|
| 1/2 | 2 | 3.3 |
| 5/8 | 3-1/4 | 5 |
| 3/4 | 4-3/4 | 7 |
| 7/8 | 6-1/2 | 9.5 |
As the angle increases, so does the load in the sling leg and consequently in any shackle attached to that leg. When a shackle is used to connect two slings to the hook of a lifting device, a bow type shackle must be used. The slings must be connected to the shackle body, and the shackle pin must be placed in the hook.
Different Types of Shackles
- Bow shackles. Recognisable by their 'O' shape, bow shackles are commonly used on multi-leg slings.
- Dee shackles.
- Green pin shackles.
- Safety pin shackles.
- Screw pin shackles.
- Stainless steel shackles.
- Piling shackles.
Seems like the average price is $200 to $250 for labor if I supply the parts.
