WHY?!?!

 

 

Thats the only thing you can do! I'm wondering...if that is a bracket leading up to the shackle...what if...take that bracket out, and drop it down into the cupped part? Then would the shackle rest on that and kinda bottom out on it?

 

Any engineering ideas on this?

 

all i know is thats the gayest shackle contraption i've ever seen. I don't think moving that bracket down would be the safest thing to do...it could cause leafs to break or the mount to crack/bend. I know it's pricey but if it was mine, new leaf packs would be my only option...

 

Yeh I think thats what comes in the 3" kits...it is pretty stupid to set it up like that! I guess Toyota is trying to say something...

 

Ok, just so you know, this is shooting from the hip so It *could* be wrong. I might do a little calculation later to prove my theory.

Looking at the design, I think the point of the design is to maximize the spring rate of the leaf springs being used.

For a tension shackle, the spring's apparent spring rate will increase as the spring compresses, approaching a maximum value either when the spring is totally flat (or as flat as it can be) or the shackle is horizontal. In either case, the spring's rate INCREASES as it compresses.

For a compression shackle, the higher the angle of the shackle the LOWER the spring rate. If the shackle were to go completely horizontal (impossible with most designs) the effective spring rate would be zero. To make up for this (especially in load-carrying applications) you have to use thicker spring packs.

So, by using tension shackles on the new Tacos, Toyota has made sure they have good payload carrying ability while at the same time being able to use overall small leaf packs, to assure better ride quality. Actually come to think of it, IIRC most newer trucks (especially towing rigs) of any brand use tension shackles to help the rear springs out.

 

This is what chevy has used for years... .funny thou cuz of the big 3 they squat the most with the least weight. Check out offroad unlimited of cali for ideas on shackle filp kits, i think they call them...

 

Also note:

My friend's 1971 suburban had tension shackles in the rear, when he lifted it he got a "shackle flip" which gave him about 4" of lift and converted him to compression shackles in the rear. Although shackle flips don't yet exist for '05 Tacomas, it's possible they will.

 

Good info good info...thanks guys!

This thing is a cadillac in the rear....makes me feel like I'm driving granny's stationwagon! Not to mention it axle hops like a mofo when you spin the tires the least bit..