98 GQ LEAF SPRUNG UTE, PRO"S & CON'S extended shack

[tufftruckin]

I have a leaf sprung 98 GQ TD42 Ute, it has a 2'' suspension lift with 32's i want more articulation and height, was looking at putting snake racing extended shackles on. has any one got these on their car? will the make much difference? is there any down side to fitting extended shackles? will I be able to fit 35's with them? Is there anything else i need to know? any info would be nice

THANX
TUFFTRUCKIN

[coxy321]

I had them on an MK - not the same as a GQ, but close enough. They don't really improve flex - to increase flex with leaf springs you'll most likely need custome packs, and some matched shockers. You will also need castor correction plates to match your extended shackles in the front.

Have you disconnected your sway bars already?

[chops]

SOA

[tufftruckin]

haven't disconected sway bars yet! was planning on doing it all at once! also what is the difference between extended shackles & drop shackles

[coxy321]

also what is the difference between extended shackles & drop shackles

Go to superior or snake racing website and have a look. Very obvious difference, but research the drop shackles on here first. Not too sute about their longevity on a 2.5T truck.

[ludacris]

Stay away from the drop shackles. Waste of money and wont last plus also stand out illegal wise. You want flex with weight on the wheel not hang the wheel down and hope it grips.

Cris

[SuperiorEngineering]

Their is a big difference between ours and other manufactures, as far as i know we are the only manufacture to weld the pins,if the pins are not welded they spin in the shackle and wear the shackle plates .
The other big difference is they are anti-Inversion so you will not bend your springs.

Chris the post is about height and articulation so if having down travel means nothing why do we all use a longer shock in our 4wd's , its not just for traction but also for stability

And for saying "they wont last " thats a big call isn't it

[ludacris]

Their is a big difference between ours and other manufactures, as far as i know we are the only manufacture to weld the pins,if the pins are not welded they spin in the shackle and wear the shackle plates .
The other big difference is they are anti-Inversion so you will not bend your springs.

Chris the post is about height and articulation so if having down travel means nothing why do we all use a longer shock in our 4wd's , its not just for traction but also for stability

And for saying "they wont last " thats a big call isn't it

I understand. Was talking about drop shackles over extended shackles lasting. I would personally go for extended shackles over drop shackles.

I always think that hanging the weight of the diff will keep the car more stable than if the diff was sitting on the ground (not weighing the vehicle down). keeping center of gravity lower. No expert though just learning as I go.

How high will your extended shackles lift his vehicle.

Cris

[tufftruckin]

thanx for the replys! soo will i be able to fit some 35's with extended shackles and the 2'' springs?

[SuperiorEngineering]

With extended shackles and 2 inch springs you should be able to fit 35's, it will depend a little on the offset of the Rims and the true size of the tires.
You always have the option for radius arm Spacers in the front to give more clearance to the front where any clearance problem may happen.

[coxy321]

I have a leaf sprung 98 GQ TD42 Ute, it has a 2'' suspension lift with 32's i want more articulation and height, was looking at putting snake racing extended shackles on. has any one got these on their car? will the make much difference? is there any down side to fitting extended shackles? will I be able to fit 35's with them? Is there anything else i need to know? any info would be nice

THANX
TUFFTRUCKIN

Is it leaf/leaf, or leaf/coil???

They did make a front and rear leaf sprung GQ.......

[tufftruckin]

sorry it is a leaf/leaf.

Also I want to take some leaves out the rear springs as the are hard as a rock, with 1 tonne on the rear they hardly move! does anyone know which packs i can take out to soften them up for more flex?

[coxy321]

Take the thickest one's out first. Usually the thick ones are closest to the diff, and they get thinner until they end up with the main retaining leaf (with the bush eye's).

Don 't go overboard though, take them out one at a time and test it before you go removing 4-5 leafs. Taking out too many will damage your leaf pack (ie. bend them).

Another tip for keeping leaf packs flexy is to grease them. When you're removing the leafs, dismantle the whole pack, clean the dirst/mud/rust/scale off each leaf, then reassemble the pack with some sticky grease between each leaf mating surface. This will stop and metal/metal friction or chaffing going on between them.

[tufftruckin]

thanx fella's, I'm going to get 2 pair of superior anti inversion extended shackles

[6Qleaf42]

thank you for bringing this topic up... i also have a leaf/leaf gq ute... was considering drop shackles but now will go for extended shacks plus the extraction of a few leaves in the rear, long travel shocks and extended brake lines... plus a good grease job to keep em flexy

tuff truckin have u noticed the size of ur rear diif compared to wagons... not sure but mine is massive!!

[coxy321]

tuff truckin have u noticed the size of ur rear diif compared to wagons... not sure but mine is massive!!

Thats the H260 diff, and yes, they're a huge unit. Some wagons did have them, so keep that in mind too.

[steel]

I have a leaf sprung 98 GQ TD42 Ute

Are you sure it's not an 88 model? i'm pretty sure all GQ utes were coil sprung in the front after about 1992.

[rob.2571]

mines a 93 with front and rear leaf

[tufftruckin]

yeah it's the H260, did these come with a mechanical diff locker?

it,s a 98 for shure! can't wait to get the shackle in & hopefully fit some 35's

[6Qleaf42]

Cheers!!! H260 ay will keep that in mind... steel mines also a 98

[patrolGUte]

yeah bra i have gu wit leaf rear only 2" lift and i have 35" mtz and they fit perfectly. if u get 1" extended shackles u ont need longer shox and 35,s should fit

[tufftruckin]

I don't think the rear will be the problem , the front is where i'll have the clearance issues!

can anyone confirm if the drum brake h260 diff in my ute is a full floater or semi floater as i have been browsing the forums and come across a few posts that say they are full floater