[Zook_Fan]

What is the best thickness and type of steel to use for 2" extended shackles? Do you use a piece of flat steel in the centre for reinforcing or should you use square bar? Is anything over 2" going to do anything to the strength of the springs?

thanks

[royce]

givent he amount of abuse they cop I would say a min of 5mm thick, but skys the limit really

I like SHS in the middle, removes a potential flex point in the shackle

longer doesnt affect the springs but you must remember that any sideway movement in suspension is BAD and shackles are a big sideways point, the longer you make them the more they can lever the bushes to move sideways (by twisting)

[Zook_Fan]

righto i was thinking around 6-9mm i will go grab some steel

[Mike]

i think mine are about 10mm

[just_cruizin]

I make mine out of 8mm, I think Fatzook makes his bling "S" ones out of 10mm

[tonka_zook]

i made mine out of 8mm and there not that hard to make

[Fatzook]

Yeah I use 10mm. They just can't be broken then.... There are some for sale on ebay at the moment that are 5mm thick with 20mm SHS BOLTED in the middle!! This would take only a few trips of moderately hard driving for them to bend.

Bigger isn't always better, but in this case........

[Rockhopper]

just out of curiosity, do any of you guys run castor shims, or else how else do you sort out the castor problems associated with longer shackles? I ran shackles for a short amount of time but took them out as the ride was very bumpy and steering became very vague.

[TZAR]

Rockhopper wrote:

just out of curiosity, do any of you guys run castor shims, or else how else do you sort out the castor problems associated with longer shackles? I ran them for a short amount of time but took them out as the ride was very bumpy and steering became very vague.

Put them in the other side and this will fix that vague feeling

The more positive castor you have the sharper the feel. The better to return to center at speed
tradeoff heavier steering

The more negative castor the easier the steering but will wander and feel real weird at speed

Bmws run 8 degrees + castor for on road feel

Look at a shopping trolley wheel. designed to be easy to turn but pretty hairy at speeds over 5kp really scary at 60kph just befgore you let it go into someones wheelie bin

[royce]

I found my 2" shackles changed the castor angle very little, well within specs still, the vaugeness and wandering is due to the longer shackles acting like a big lever so the springs and therfore diff can move sideways more so it all feels sloppier

[rob45x]

Sorry for reopening this outdated thread. I've made some50mm extended shackles using 10mm steel.

Just want to put a brace between the two side pieces and wondering on the width i should make it?
I've measured the width between the stock shackles when they are tight and measures at 58.5mm

Should i just make it the same distance?

Cheers for any help !

[Daves4wd]

Bolt on the shackle and mesure the gap cut a piece to suit and weld in...

[christover1]

I used U channel of same thickness as original shackles.
That way I could re-use shackle pins to prevent over tightening.
U shape also protects bolt n nuts from rocks.
Very long shackle extensions may need bracing,
but I prefer smaller extensions without bracing.
Allows for more flex in spring.
I noticed on my stock shackles at full articulation, the 2 plates move way off line from each other.
These were fitted for over 12 years no issues.

[SierraDan]

Yep make them same as stock.

[Fatzook]

Daves4wd wrote:

Bolt on the shackle and mesure the gap cut a piece to suit and weld in...

Not a great idea. Alot of poly bushes available are undersized. If using rubber, you'll need 60mm, some poly cab be as low as 55mm. (shitefull)

[rob45x]

I'll have some ome bushes in it.

[Fatzook]

OEM shackles measure at 60mm between side plates.

[rob45x]

Fatzook wrote:

OEM shackles measure at 60mm between side plates.

Oem or ome ?

[Fatzook]

rob45x wrote:

Fatzook wrote:

OEM shackles measure at 60mm between side plates.

Oem or ome ?

OEM. Original Equipment Manufacturer. (suzuki)

Just for future reference, its bad practice to measure aftermarket parts (like OME) as you are assuming that they got it right. Always measure a genuine part yourself.

[flymaster]

I made mine 40mm over the stock length shackle. Used 8mm x 50mm flat bar and 30mm x 2mm RHS mid section brace. Bolt hole diameter was 1/2 inch, suitable for aftermarket bushes.
Regards Nick.