Shackle Angle

So should I swap these shackle for my stock ones.. Thinking better angle would give better street ride. These give 1.5" lift. I do have plenty of extra XJ and S-10 leafs available to add to the existing Bastard pack to make-up for the lift lost.

Shackle relocators are the answer.

With your current shackle at that angle, adding relocators would maintain your lift height and give you a better ride and flex. You would need the standard relocators not the no lift ones.

GordoSmasho said:

Shackle relocators are the answer.

With your current shackle at that angle, adding relocators would maintain your lift height and give you a better ride and flex. You would need the standard relocators not the no lift ones.

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You are correct BUT, I should have stipulated NO COST.. as I am unemployed.

93gc40 said:

You are correct BUT, I should have stipulated NO COST.. as I am unemployed.

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Leave it as is.

If you still have your stock shackles you might as well try it.

But I don't see you getting a different shackle angle without spending something.

Do you have a welder? Access to fab tools? You could make your own for pretty cheap.

A shorter shackle will improve its angle yes. However more arch in the springs pulls the rear spring bushing forward. Also shorter shackle probably won't accomodate the travel needed in a more arched spring. So... if you have no money leave it as is.

GordoSmasho said:

Also shorter shackle probably won't accomodate the travel needed in a more arched spring.

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That seems like a very important point.

GordoSmasho said:

A shorter shackle will improve its angle yes. However more arch in the springs pulls the rear spring bushing forward. Also shorter shackle probably won't accomodate the travel needed in a more arched spring. So... if you have no money leave it as is.

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Good points... I knew there was something I was missing.. Because slipping a more arched leaf in was going to be part of the change I was considering.. Relocation is in the future plans. Money situation is temporary.
Currently the pack is XJ main, XJ main, S-10 and S-10 O-load. I was thinking about swaping the long shackel for the stock one, and then buildng up the pack with more arched leafs or some blocks I have. Don't want to do the blocks. And nwo that you mention it, the extra arch could put me in the same angle situation, but with shorter shackles.

So I may do some experimenting. I do have time to play with it.
Maybe punch some additional holes in the lift shackles.. Making them 3/4" lift rather than 1.5". Split the difference between stock and lifted length Then swap in a couple of the, I think YJ leafs, I have for the S-10 ones.. They have about the same arch the YJ and S-10 leafs, with the chevy leafs being heavier spring rate, or at least thicker.
Meh, Couple bags of concrete might solve the harsh ride issues, also.

When I had a bastard pack on my XJ, with little or no cargo it rode a bit rough. With a decent amount of weight it was better. Keep tools or other stuff back there.