Front Spring Shackle Angle

[moorehouse77]

So I rotated my tires today and decided to see how far my springs are moving while I was jackin it up.  Turns out I only have 3" of droop from static ride height.  I know that this is because I have the wrong shocks on the front that are too short.  BUT, if I were to install the proper shocks, my front spring shackle would flip backwards towards the rear of the truck and more than likley bend the main leaf in the process when it goes to full droop and then re-compress.  I have read that this is a random problem with lift kits on FSJ's.  I need a solution with out buying some longer springs.  Any ideas???


Dave.

[HEEP4me]

I would take your shocks off and jack up one side and see how bad it is and maybe post a pic so we can try and steer you in the right direction.

[moorehouse77]

Well I'll try to get some pics if it quits raining.  If I pull the shock off and jack it up the shackle will flip all the way around so that it is pointing back towards the spring.


Dave.

[wiebewagon]

so i was thinking about this, and on the note of the shackle swing does anyone know if there is a shackle reversal kit, but the side that sways in the back?  my exp you get better performance that way and it may help with the shackle wanting to wrap when overextended?  just an idea. 

oh and did you ever try pulling the shock to see what happens?

[moorehouse77]

I haven't seen a reversal kit for the front but I'm sure there is somthing out there that will work.

I have had the shock off at full droop and the spring shackle will flip all the way around towards the rear of the truck till its pointing inline with the spring arch.  

It all made sence to me the other day.  With a 4 inch spring kit on an FSJ it is common for guys to get 6 inches of lift as I did.  No one has an answer why and people just go with it.  It was also difficult to get the springs to go in the front spring shackles when I installed my lift cause without weight on them they just didn't quite reach.  My truck also sits a little nose high and normally it is supposed to be higher in the back.  My belief is that AMC was not very consistant with there rear spring hanger location on the front springs from one truck to the other.  There is nowhere for the front spring shackle perches to go back towards the rear of the truck giving a better shackle angle because the steering gear box is mounted right behind it.  If the rear spring hanger was moved forward up the frame then the lift would have givin me the 4 inches it was supposed to and my spring shackle angle would be in the correct position and my rear would be slightly higher than the front.  My plan is to do just that and move the rear spring shackle forward up the frame until the shackle angle is to may liking and then measure for new shocks.  This will also put my caster in a better position so the truck tracks a little better on the freeway.  I'll let you know how it goes.


Dave.

[wiebewagon]

sounds like it should work just fine, let me know when you do it, if im actually not working id like to come down and turn a wrench and help out.

[moorehouse77]

Hopin to get it done next week.  I'll let you know when and see if your busy.


Dave.