Outer Limits 4x4 Board

In the quest for a bit more articulation on my Sportrak, I decided to have a pop at making some folding shackles.
I have seen folding/flex/scissor shackles used on all sorts of cars and fancied the idea of a bit of cheap droop.
So trusty grinder in hand I set about making some sparks.

Here are the results.

Mac.

With the standard shock fitted and then disconnected.
There was a lot more flex to go, but the rear brake line is still standard and I didn't want to stretch it.

Fully closed and fully open.

It looks like I need a 2 to 3" longer shocks to maximise on the available travel. I will need to check if there is a risk of the prop dropping out of the gearbox under full droop. If so, I could always make a spacer up??

Mac.

are you going to lock them shut when on road?
going around corners at high speed with those could be interesting.

Have you tried just dropping one wheel at a time to check the flex? You will find just one wheel will want to twist the spring and shackle mounting points hence the need for a 'swivel' section.

Ah yes - I forgot to mention the extended brake line on mine. And that's a story all by itself - as I found out just about anyone in Aus will make flexible hoses but there isn't many companies who will make approved ones for use on vehicles.
Stu

Ah yes - I forgot to mention the extended brake line on mine. And that's a story all by itself - as I found out just about anyone in Aus will make flexible hoses but there isn't many companies who will make approved ones for use on vehicles.

?
I didnt know that drop shackels were APPROVED either?

senergy wrote:

Ah yes - I forgot to mention the extended brake line on mine. And that's a story all by itself - as I found out just about anyone in Aus will make flexible hoses but there isn't many companies who will make approved ones for use on vehicles.

?
I didnt know that drop shackels were APPROVED either?

Thats cause most of them are not. Remember that engineered and RTA approved can mean different things.
Layto....

I have made a flat bar that links the shackle ends together for road use. 2 minutes with a spanner before I go off-road isn't a problem.
I know about the 'Revolver' type shackles, and that will be my next project. These only cost me £10 sterling to make, plus my time obviously, so it is a cheap stop gap till I make some revolvers.
You can see in the second picture that the spring is twisted, but I haven't opened the spring pack retainers yet, so that should make the shackles life easier when done.

Mac.