Outer Limits 4x4 Board

this weekend ill be putting 2" shackles on the MQ to clear 33's.

shocks are probably due for replacement anyway - what are people using for long(er) travel?

gurumon wrote:this weekend ill be putting 2" shackles on the MQ to clear 33's.

shocks are probably due for replacement anyway - what are people using for long(er) travel?

I just finished making a set for front 2" longer shackles for my MK today at work and they look great probably fit them on over the weekend, I took measurements this afternoon to begin making the rears tomorrow.

Q. What are the actual beniefts of fitting the extended shackles, ie: will they give me more suspension travel, increased height on the springs by any great deal.

With the rears standard shackle being wide at the top and norrow at the springs can I make the shackle arms parrarlell like the front and add the offset in the form of spacers betwwen the arms and the spring bushes or try and bend the off set in to the arms. I'll just add that I am a fitter/welder by trade and either way present no problem in doing at work.

I'll try and take some pics of the front shackles I made and post them hear. If anyone needs the diamentions that I used I'll more than glady pass then on.

gurumon wrote:this weekend ill be putting 2" shackles on the MQ to clear 33's.

shocks are probably due for replacement anyway - what are people using for long(er) travel?

Firstly, 2" extended shackles wont give you 2" of lift. Probably be a bit less than 1". Secondly, do you know how it will affect your travel? I'd say probably not a great deal, but that might be important since shocks have different specs for compressed and extended lengths, not just a plain "2 inch lift" spec. For example, often a shock will be marketed as "suit 2 inch lift", but that usually refers to spring lift, often with no increase in travel. They may not suit a shackle lift.

I use Tough Dog front shocks to suit MQ 2" lift. They are around the longest travel you'll get using the standard mounts. There's a few brands that make similar spec... I made notes on them all a while back but don't think I have them anymore sorry. I use Koni's in the rear, which are just long enough, but a warning: Koni's front 2" lifted shocks were far too short to suit my 2" lift. Careful with the fronts too - there's not a lot of room for the bigger bore shocks inbetween the top mount and the sway bar mount.

Heathx4 wrote: Firstly, 2" extended shackles wont give you 2" of lift. Probably be a bit less than 1". Secondly, do you know how it will affect your travel? I'd say probably not a great deal, but that might be important since shocks have different specs for compressed and extended lengths, not just a plain "2 inch lift" spec. For example, often a shock will be marketed as "suit 2 inch lift", but that usually refers to spring lift, often with no increase in travel. They may not suit a shackle lift.

I use Tough Dog front shocks to suit MQ 2" lift. They are around the longest travel you'll get using the standard mounts. There's a few brands that make similar spec... I made notes on them all a while back but don't think I have them anymore sorry. I use Koni's in the rear, which are just long enough, but a warning: Koni's front 2" lifted shocks were far too short to suit my 2" lift. Careful with the fronts too - there's not a lot of room for the bigger bore shocks inbetween the top mount and the sway bar mount.

to be clearer... im putting in shackles that are about 3 and a bit inches long to give me an effective lift of around 2"..... now you can see why i shortened it to 2" shackles

points noted on shocks.... ta

Thats a big shackle lift, that would make it about 135mm between the centres on the front shackles and about 185mm between the shackle pins on the rear, the ones I have made are 100mm and 150mm between the pin centers.

Should be interesting to find out how they go.

if you still have your original shox on. you will definitely hav to change them unless you make an adopter. i replaced mine with the shox of the GQ. 24" if im not mistaken. another thing to check is if your front propeller shaft will rub on the cross member when your suspension is fully extended.

iv seen someone with your idea of the straight shackles at the rear. they look bulky and heavy. i suggest you copy the original form. just my 2 cents worth.

mintoy

Ive made mine out of 50mmx10mm plate so there heavy anyway but the mutha's ain't gunna bend that for sure.

Go and have a peek on Superior Engineerings site - good, tuff-as-guts shackles. If you're putting extended shackles on the front, don't forget about putting caster correcting plates between the leaf and diff. Two inch extended shackles put the caster out 3 degrees - and i can tell you that driving in the wet can get VERY hairy with caster like this. Understeer to the MAX!

I think i got pretty much bang on 25mm lift with mine, and it does help in the flex department, as the "open" end of the spring has a greater distance to travel each way.