budget boost installation help

[jftimbo]

Alright well my next little project with the comanche is going to be a budget boost. I'm planning on getting 2" spacers up front from RE and some long XJ shackles for an inch or less lift in the rear. Are there any shackles to stay away from? I was looking at some from Suspension Connection, because it looks like they have pretty good deals on shackles. What is the difference between just shackles and greasable shackles? I have had very little mechanical experience, but am pretty good at doing something once I have read or been shown how, I just havent been able to really find anything on installing rear shackles. It seems as if installing front spacers is pretty simple, but I would just like a little bit of information regarding rear shackle install before I go and do something stupid. Any installation hints would be helpful, as this will be my first work at all with suspension.

 

Thanks in advance,

Tim

[DirtyComanche]

Greasable shackles have a grease fitting (zerk) so that you can grease the bushings. The stock (or normal) shackles don't. I think it's a feel good feature, but not really that useful. Oh, get some full-size chevy 2" drop shackles, they will give you two inches of lift to match the front. As long as they look beefy, they'll hold.

 

 

And to install the rear shackles, you'll need:

 

Breaker bar (Or wrench and a long peice of pipe)

21mm socket/wrench

Propane torch (optional, heat helps get the bolts out)

Bottle jack (To force the spring down to fit the shackle back in place)

PB blaster/liquid wrench

Lock-tite

 

It's pretty straight forward, just do one side at a time. Somebody else might give you more details. I'm too lazy.

[CWLONGSHOT]

The one thing I will add is be sure the shackles are gusseted. IE have something between the sides offering better support and resisting twisting. Without it your rear will feel mushy in corners.

 

Remember to achieve 2" of lift you will be looking at a shackle that is 9" hole to hole..thats a mighty long shackle!!! (The factory is 5".)

 

CW

[Pete M]

In my opinion, a 2" or 3" AAL is superior to a 9" shackle.

[bhawkin2]

I think I would go with the AAL also. A 9" shackle is a long Chunk of steel.

[pingpong]

I ran the Chevy drop shackle long before it became a popular item. I had zero issue with it. Keep in mind that it is only being bolted to 1/8 metal at best. What would you rather have fatigue, the frame, cause the shckle wouldn't bend :shock: :?

 

 

AS for the AAL they are more work, and unless they were designed for a SUA vehicle, the arch might not be enough to give you the advertised lift. I have run these as well, and most ussually stiffen up your ride, and generally are not worth the money in MY opinion.

 

The best option, and the most expensive is new springs. This is what I ended up going with when I needed something to give me some boost :wink: