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Homemade shackles

Old Mar 24, 2011 | 09:48 PM
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From: Gosnell,Arkansas
Homemade shackles

I got bored at work today and made some 8'' shackle for my 86 pickups saggy rear. Now before I put em on is there any serious reasons why I shouldnt use them? thanks
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 03:08 AM
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From: Ameliasburgh, On. Ca.
Only the thickness of the material that you used... If it's thick enough then no. Pictures would help.
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 04:47 AM
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Pics before judgement

My gut says "Darwin"

:wabbit2:
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 07:35 AM
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From: Gosnell,Arkansas
im trying to get some pics uploaded right now with my phone but its not working and my camera is messed up, but im still trying. The shackles are 1/8 thick. I was going to install them and have my brother bounce up and down on the bed and see if they bend any, if I have too i can box them in with some more steel.
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 07:41 AM
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1/8 is a little thin... i would box or get thicker stuff.
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 07:46 AM
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WAAAAY too thin at 1/8" thick.

3/8" thick or more for something that long and braced too.

:wabbit2:
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 08:16 AM
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From: PDX
$15 and I'd guesstimate ~1/4" thick

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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 09:17 AM
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From: Gosnell,Arkansas
Originally Posted by corax
$15 and I'd guesstimate ~1/4" thick

I've seen those at autozone
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 09:18 AM
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From: Gosnell,Arkansas
here is pic Name:  195914_1932392631941_1306020030_2373819_1627661_n.jpg
Views: 456
Size:  36.2 KB
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 09:39 AM
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From: castle rock
those are pretty thin i would go thicker or stack two together and weld to make a 1/4 thick one
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 09:41 AM
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From: Gosnell,Arkansas
im sorry they are 3/8 not 1/8, my fault
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Old Mar 26, 2011 | 03:12 AM
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From: Ameliasburgh, On. Ca.
Can we get a picture with a tape measure showing the thickness? They don't look like 3/8" from this angle...

If they are 3/8" brace them with a cross tube just wider than the spring eye...(just enough to install them - make them look like a large capital H) If they are 1/8" I wouldn't use them.
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Old Mar 26, 2011 | 08:16 AM
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First of All, if I were building a set of 8" tall shackles, I think I would use 3/8" thick, if shackle bolts were found long enough, and I would definatelyweld in a section of preferrably rectangular tubing between the two plate. 8" is pretty tall and the potential for sideshift and the resulting catastrophic failure is high..

Originally Posted by 4x4jeffyota
here is pic
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Old Mar 26, 2011 | 08:33 AM
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those look like 1/8 not 3/8.. dont use them .. you need some thicker ones ..
or just tell us what streets you use so we can stay away!
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Old Mar 26, 2011 | 09:00 AM
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From: Gosnell,Arkansas
Originally Posted by RMA
those look like 1/8 not 3/8.. dont use them .. you need some thicker ones ..
or just tell us what streets you use so we can stay away!
they do look thin on that table but they are 3/8, im going to go ahead and box them in to make em stiffer

Last edited by 4x4jeffyota; Mar 26, 2011 at 09:02 AM.
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Old Mar 26, 2011 | 05:00 PM
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looks like a nightmare too me. Surly needs more cutting and welding.
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Old Mar 27, 2011 | 07:52 AM
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From: Gosnell,Arkansas
yea, im just gonna double em up i guess
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Old Mar 29, 2011 | 09:49 PM
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if they're 3/8ths you dont need to..
go measure them.
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Old Mar 29, 2011 | 10:37 PM
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From: Gosnell,Arkansas
i measured them, they're 3/8 I promise haha. So you think 3/8 is thick enough to hold the weight?
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Old Mar 29, 2011 | 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 4x4jeffyota
i measured them, they're 3/8 I promise haha. So you think 3/8 is thick enough to hold the weight?
3/8ths is plenty, but just do a middle crossbrace.

Obviously 8" shackles arent going to fix the sag in the long run.
In fact, they'll make your springs worse...
They'll go into a negative arch and the ride will be worse.
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