extended shackles

[andy1517]

hey guys,

If i fit extended shackles will i need to do anything else?
Or will the extended shackles simply bolt in?

[greg]

nothing else to do when fitting them other than checking the state of the rubber bushings and perhaps greasing them if required.

once fitted, flex up the car and ensure that you haven't run out of travel on your shocks, or are over-extending the brake lines.

them take it for a test drive, and check that you haven't destroyed the handling by taking too much caster out of the front end.

[joeblow]

then take it for a test drive, and find that you have destroyed the handling by taking too much caster out of the front end.

fixed............

[Gwagensteve]

you'll need to read between the lines a bit between those two andy.

You need to know why you need them. If it's to add lift, shackles are a terrible idea.

If it's to add travel, you won't add any unless you've built the suspension to work with the shackle length. all of the available travel in the sierra length springs and shock mounts is achieved with factory, 75mm shackles.

In any case, you will have rolled caster out of the front end, and that's not good - you'll have to figure out how to put it back. That's not easy and is best done by rewelding the spring perches.

If you're significantly adding spring length, there is a place for extended shackles, but that's not, I guess, what your asking about.

They have some use - they can help to prevent bottoming, slightly tune ride height, roll rear pinion angle, and add travel if the springs and shocks are up to it- but the disadvantages are as outlined by myself, Joe and Greg.

I don't build cars with stock length shackles, as they are a limitation, but I don't build cars with stock length shocks, springs, stock mount positions or anything else.

A bigger problem is that stock shackles are often flogged out by now.

Steve.

[andy1517]

i am simply after a higher ride height. i am looking at fitting either efs or ironman raised springs and shocks soon. but thought i would lengthen shackels first and see how it looked.

Thanks for the info

[Bron5on]

i am simply after a higher ride height. i am looking at fitting either efs or ironman raised springs and shocks soon. but thought i would lengthen shackels first and see how it looked.

Thanks for the info

Go for the efs when you do. I could be wrong and if I am I hope someone will correct me but I've only heard bad things about the other brand. Mainly that they make a very firm spring which is the last thing a zuk needs. I have however only heard this from hilux owners so it may be different? Have heard good things about efs tho. I have ome but made the mistake of putting heavy duty springs in front. I have no fillings left!

[Gwagensteve]

Bron5on, you do know you can remove leaves to tune the spring rate don't you?

andy1527 - extended shackles are a terrible way of boosting ride height, especially on the front.

[joeblow]

i am simply after a higher ride height. i am looking at fitting either efs or ironman raised springs and shocks soon. but thought i would lengthen shackels first and see how it looked.

Thanks for the info

yes, if they are your two choices go efs.

[Bron5on]

Bron5on, you do know you can remove leaves to tune the spring rate don't you?

andy1527 - extended shackles are a terrible way of boosting ride height, especially on the front.

I was considering trying that. The only thing I was concerned about was the possibility of losing a little ride height up front by softening the front springs. My sierra already looks to sit a little lower in the nose. Always has done and I cant work out why. Front springs are ome heavy duty while rears are ome mediums. All 40mm raised jobbies.

[CHOPS1]

i am simply after a higher ride height. i am looking at fitting either efs or ironman raised springs and shocks soon. but thought i would lengthen shackels first and see how it looked.

Thanks for the info

Go for the efs when you do. I could be wrong and if I am I hope someone will correct me but I've only heard bad things about the other brand. Mainly that they make a very firm spring which is the last thing a zuk needs. I have however only heard this from hilux owners so it may be different? Have heard good things about efs tho. I have ome but made the mistake of putting heavy duty springs in front. I have no fillings left!

When i first bought lifted springs for my sierra, 4wd systems here in adelaide supplied me with ironman rears and belton fronts the ironman rears were ridiculously stiff and clearly too short. the shackles were vertical and if you stood on the rear you couldnt even get it to bounce down. it was dangerous on the road.
I had trouble getting them to change them over because "they reckon this has been fine for everyone else!" But they finally did and i got belton rears sent out.
They were good till i bent them though.

Chop

[GRPABT1]

Bron5on, you do know you can remove leaves to tune the spring rate don't you?

andy1527 - extended shackles are a terrible way of boosting ride height, especially on the front.

I was considering trying that. The only thing I was concerned about was the possibility of losing a little ride height up front by softening the front springs. My sierra already looks to sit a little lower in the nose. Always has done and I cant work out why. Front springs are ome heavy duty while rears are ome mediums. All 40mm raised jobbies.

An easy way is to take photos of your spings and post them here and people will tell you what to take out where. In most cases SPUA you can run 3 leaves front and rear on a sierra without any drama provided the springs are in good nick. I run 3 front and 4 rear but my suspension is different to yours and I also carry loads on my tray sometimes necessitating the 4 rear leaves IMO.

[Bron5on]

An easy way is to take photos of your spings and post them here and people will tell you what to take out where. In most cases SPUA you can run 3 leaves front and rear on a sierra without any drama provided the springs are in good nick. I run 3 front and 4 rear but my suspension is different to yours and I also carry loads on my tray sometimes necessitating the 4 rear leaves IMO.

I may have to try that then. Each of my springs has about 5 leaves. 3 longer ones and two shorter ones. I've also got extended shackles which I am considering ditching as they sit near to vertical and I don't need the added height really. I have so much to learn!