Flipping Leafs Backwards To Gain Wheelbase?

[fmaster7]

I recently swapped an 8.25 into my short bed, and installed ironman 4x4 shackles. My rear is too far forward. I'd rather my rear centered, or further back. Anyone have any luck switching the leafs backwards to gain wheelbase? I saw some posts of XJ's, but not much on MJ's. I have pictures. Going to try and upload now.

[fmaster7]

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[fmaster7]

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[Wiggilez]

it should a little of center, so when the bed is loaded down and things compress the shackle will move out (back) and things will center up instead of hitting the back of the wheel well. but yours does look kinda to forward.

[benjy_26]

You could get some Ballistic Off Road perches for your rear end. That'll allow you to play with the axle position a bit.

[fmaster7]

You could get some Ballistic Off Road perches for your rear end. That'll allow you to play with the axle position a bit.

I'm going to look them up now. I also saw that using ford explorer leafs would center it more? Just going thru my options. Thank you for the reply.

[fmaster7]

it should a little of center, so when the bed is loaded down and things compress the shackle will move out (back) and things will center up instead of hitting the back of the wheel well. but yours does look kinda to forward.

I'll never have it loaded for it to compress much. Makes sense though.

[benjy_26]

 

You could get some Ballistic Off Road perches for your rear end. That'll allow you to play with the axle position a bit.

I'm going to look them up now. I also saw that using ford explorer leafs would center it more? Just going thru my options. Thank you for the reply.

No prob. I suppose as long as the leaves are 2.5" wide you should be able to mount them (assuming they're long enough). Make sure you use the leaves of an Explorer WITHOUT the air ride system. My 98 Limited has that system and the leaves are pretty flat.

[Eagle]

You could get some Ballistic Off Road perches for your rear end. That'll allow you to play with the axle position a bit.

You beat me to it. Are those the ones with three locating holes? That's what I was thinking of but I didn't know who makes them.

[benjy_26]

 

You could get some Ballistic Off Road perches for your rear end. That'll allow you to play with the axle position a bit.

You beat me to it. Are those the ones with three locating holes? That's what I was thinking of but I didn't know who makes them.

Yup. I have a pair of them ready to go on my 8.8. They're longer than stock too, so they help with axle wrap.

[benjy_26]

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Leaf-Spring-Perch_p_1987.html

 

These are they.

[Incommando]

Ruff Stuff and Barnes 4wd make them, too

[HOrnbrod]

I like the gussets on the ends for extra reinforcement.

 

[benjy_26]

Little touches like that is why I like to buy from Ballistic Fab. The only issue that I have with that designbis that it may trap mud and dirt inside the perch, accelerating corrosion. Proper finishing would take care of that, though. Besides, I live in the middle of the desert, so rust isn't a big concern of mine.

[DansGreyMj]

I recently installed 97-03 F150 leaves on the back of my truck. They're 2/1 leaves and I added an extra Mj 3rd leaf (the leaf with the clamps) I had lying around. I installed them with RE2705 boomerang shackles. The center pin is roughly 3/8s rearward and the springs are about an inch longer overall. The wheels came out kinda centered. The only issue I had installing them was the front bushing uses a 3/4 bolt so you'll have to get creative and the rear bushing is slightly wider than the Mj so I had to spread open the shackles.


Those are 35s

[benjy_26]

I recently installed 97-03 F150 leaves on the back of my truck. They're 2/1 leaves and I added an extra Mj 3rd leaf (the leaf with the clamps) I had lying around. I installed them with RE2705 boomerang shackles. The center pin is roughly 3/8s rearward and the springs are about an inch longer overall. The wheels came out kinda centered. The only issue I had installing them was the front bushing uses a 3/4 bolt so you'll have to get creative and the rear bushing is slightly wider than the Mj so I had to spread open the shackles.

 

Those are 35s

Are tou spring over, or spring under?

[DansGreyMj]

Over

[DirtyComanche]

Ruff Stuff and Barnes 4wd make them, too

 

Yes.  Ruff Stuff would be my go to.  Ballistic is a last resort, to the point that if only they have it, I probably don't need it, since they probably aren't going to ship it anyways...

[mikekaz1]

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can you explain whats going on with that shackle? something doesn't look right....

[DirtyComanche]

 

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can you explain whats going on with that shackle? something doesn't look right....

 

 

They're these:

http://www.ironman4x4fab.com/Products/RLS.html

 

You can thread them in or out to adjust the length...  Kinda nifty.  Rather long.

[HOrnbrod]

Those shackles are probably the reason the axle is pushed forward too much.  Too long.............

[DirtyComanche]

Those shackles are probably the reason the axle is pushed forward too much.  Too long.............

 

Oh absolutely.  Believe it or don't, there's whole books dedicated to leaf spring design and I don't think any of them would recommend a shackle near that length for springs of that length and curvature.  Not to say it doesn't work.

[mikekaz1]

8"-10.5" holy @#$% those are long!