Hey i was gonna make up some shackles for my 94 pickup, but i noticed they are narrower at the leaf spring end and wider at the top where they mount. Do you have to have it narrower at the bottom? I was just gonna make them straight but was worried that the bottom will shift back and forth. Has anyone made any shackles that can give me some pointers?

 

I put shackles on my truck today, picked them up from local parts store. They are straight and when tightened completely the shackle on the frame ends up a little wider. But it doesnt hurt anything... And good luck with the bushings my friend.

 

I just put a new leaf spring pack on one side, so it wont be bad to get off. The other side probably will. I had to cut the bolts when i put the new leaf pack in they were seized in the bushing bad. I noticed the shackles on ebay and stuff were straight also so was hoping i could make some.

 

Usually want the side plates bent to match:

- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...shtml#Shackles

As that will prolong the bushing life, with the side plates at an angle, you'll chew up the lips of the bushings where the shackles pinch down over them. Other option is to add spacers to the bottom to equal the offset with the top, about 3/8"/side:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...#ShackleSpacer

 

Bent is better for sure, but it will just wear our your shackle mounts with straight ones.

 

4Crawler makes the best shackles I've seen and has very reasonable prices. I've use them for many years without a problem. The design is such that the pivot bolts won't loosen up from use.