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The great shackle debate.....Shackle forward or rear?

mbryson

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
Location
Bountiful, land of rocks
So, I've read so many opinions of where a shackle 'SHOULD' be on a leaf spring front. What's yours? What's your support/experience and why do you like it better?

Usage: 75% or greater off road
 
jp008

jp008

Well-Known Member
Location
Heber City
When I went from Shackle forward to reverse I found it easier to climb an obstacle because the tires were not fighting the leaf springs. On S/F the tires move forward as the spring is compressed. On S/R it is the opposite.

The ride is alot smoother the handling is a little softer and I do get some brake dive. My shackles are around 45* with the weight on.

In my situation and driving habits I prefer S/R. I think the only thing better would be a link type suspension.
 
JeeperG

JeeperG

Well-Known Member
Location
Riverdale
cruiseroutfit said:
I love my shackle reversal... wouldn't do it any other way... (beside links)

Plus the added approach angle is a plus...

:D
Click to expand...

I have not done one yet but...

I Agree Approach angle is better...and think about all the forward driving you do if you are driving and say hit a speed bump do you want the axle to not move back or (absorb impact, springs have to move up) I would prefer the axle to move back. I think that is a serious design flaw by Jeep....

2cents
 
mbryson

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
Location
Bountiful, land of rocks
Hickey said:
If I had to go leaf, I would go shackle front. But I would rather go link.
Click to expand...


Links will come in YJ, version 2.0. Version 1.0 will have the features of absolute simplicity, mobility and reliability. I just went to hang the shackle mounts and started thinking (that's kind of a bad thing, look where that's got Greg :D ).
 
Hickey

Hickey

Burn-barrel enthusiast
Supporting Member
Location
Grantsville, Utah
mbryson said:
Links will come in YJ, version 2.0. Version 1.0 will have the features of absolute simplicity, mobility and reliability. I just went to hang the shackle mounts and started thinking (that's kind of a bad thing, look where that's got Greg :D ).
Click to expand...
For simplicity then, go front shackle and you won't have to worry about needing a long slip front d-shaft $$$.
 
Milner

Milner

formerly "rckcrlr"
Location
Hiding behind a camera
fixxed mnt on frt, shackle on the back.
It allows the direction/motions to all flow together and not resist each other.
Up and back is the way things want to move (direction of impact/lengthen of leaf). So why would you set up a suspensionwith forces that resist each other??

I have never understood why the shakles are in the frt........
 
Caleb

Caleb

Well-Known Member
Location
Riverton
Well, the way I ahve understood it from guys that have switched back from S/R to S/F is that its the exact motion everyone is saying is ideal that they dont like. When they bump an obstacle their tires pull away from it instead of being pushed up it like with shackles in the front. The things I have read, the people ahve all said they felt they had less traction with the S/R setup...S/R will save you springs though:D
 
mbryson

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
Location
Bountiful, land of rocks
Supergper said:
Well, the way I ahve understood it from guys that have switched back from S/R to S/F is that its the exact motion everyone is saying is ideal that they dont like. When they bump an obstacle their tires pull away from it instead of being pushed up it like with shackles in the front. The things I have read, the people ahve all said they felt they had less traction with the S/R setup...S/R will save you springs though:D
Click to expand...


I'm starting to feel like I should just link it up. I really know how to screw up a 4 link. :D :D {I should put my engine in place and get to work, huh?}
 
RockMonkey

RockMonkey

Suddenly Enthusiastic
Yup, link it. Leaf springs suck. If you're gonna do it one way or the other though I would do it with the shackles reversed. I like mine that way, even though it tends to bend my springs. One of these days I'll rip it apart and link it, though.
 
P

pokeyYJ

Guest
While I have never owned a vehicle with the shackle on the rear, the ones that I have seen all seem to do wierd things when trying ledges or waterfalls. The front axle will start to walk all over the place because it pulls on the shackle instead of the frame. Dunno, just a thought
 
N-Smooth

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
talk about a can of worms...

i have shackle reversal and can't see having it any other way. as far as the weird affects people say it causes, i never noticed them as i was climbing over everything i pointed at :rolleyes: :D
besides, that... it sucks to slam your shacks into every wall-like obstacle you approach and bend leaves like crazy!
s/r just makes sense imo, whether or not that is a good enough reason to do it, its up to you. but i went from coils to s/r and couldn't be happier
 
Hickey

Hickey

Burn-barrel enthusiast
Supporting Member
Location
Grantsville, Utah
rckcrlr said:
fixxed mnt on frt, shackle on the back.
It allows the direction/motions to all flow together and not resist each other.
Up and back is the way things want to move (direction of impact/lengthen of leaf). So why would you set up a suspensionwith forces that resist each other??

I have never understood why the shakles are in the frt........
Click to expand...
A TJ and XJ are setup to resist forces in the way you describe.
 
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