Suspension new shackles or stay with old ones

hello everybody I just purchased some new fox coilovers for the front and the shocks for the back including the OME leaf springs. My question is am I going to upgrade the shackles as well or should I keep the old ones. I'm looking for a 2" lift all around..,
Any tips would be great!!

 

well are the springs giving you any lift? that's the question you have to find the answer to, if not get 2" lift shackles, if yes the leafs are giving you the lift you want then just get regular shackles to replace it with.

everything I have read about doing leafs all say you end up with frozen shackle bolts you have to cut off anyway so I think it best to just not even try and cut yours off and go all new.

that said you need to know if you need regular shackles or lift shackles.

 

Ok so basically I should just get new extended shackles, any brand you guys recommend?

 

Keep the old ones, they are not always rusted, I haven't had to cut any shackle bolts yet (knocks on wood) and I've done 6 lifts on the Tacoma's around here. Doing #7 this weekend...

What lift did you request with your new leaf springs? If you do get new shackles, stay with the stock length, not lifted, as this will change the pinion angle (possible vibrations) and actually give you a harsh ride as the shackle will stand straight up instead of sitting at an angle.
I would not recommend lifted shackles ever.

 

Oh ok.. I'm old shackles don't look to bad at all.. That's what I was hoping for just to keep the old ones and just replace the rubber bushings..

 

With lift springs you want longer shackles due to the lift springs main leaf being longer than stock. You need a longer shackle to account for this when it flexes. For a point of reference I'm running .5" lift springs with all pro expo leafs outback which gave me about 3" of lift.

 

It's the metal sleeve over the bolt, inside the rubber, that MIGHT rust to the bolt. New bushings should come with new sleeves, you may have to hammer off the old sleeve (you're just wanting to break the rust bond, don't bend or deform the bolts) but the bolts themselves should be fine.
Now, the bolt by the gas tank is a different story, I've had to cut two of those bastards off simply because you can't get a good whack at it with a hammer.

 

No, not quite. A lifted spring is longer in the main leaf to give you the lift along with the arch and maintain proper shackle angles. I've been through this way too many times.

 

I didn't mean to sound like a dick in that last post, there are times when a longer shackle is needed but not on anything that is 3" of lift or less. Taller lifts will of course have a much more exaggerated length/arch to the main leaf and that kind of lift would require a longer shackle to allow the leafs to flex to full capacity. The term "lifted shackle" is a marketing ploy and a poor attempt at getting extra lift. They can actually cause more harm than good.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/buyers-guide-reviews/lift-kit-how-to-leaf-springs.aspx

 

well I could live without a "soft ride" but I don't want "bone jarring stiff ride" which is how it feels now so something less rigid then stock is what I would like and I want at least stock load capacity so I don't want less then that, I find the load capacity of stock is perfect for my needs

 

Yes and think about what happens when you compress that leaf spring, you need a longer shackle to compensate for the added length of that main leaf. Granted this is not an issue in a truck that isn't used off road, however if you want to maximize your rear flex the longer shackle helps.

 

You guys are kitty cats here don't worry!

 

No, again. I'm well aware that the leaf flattens out and the shackle extends backwards. The added length of a 3" lifted spring is not enough for a longer shackle. Read the link I provided, it may make you think differently. I know lots of guys run longer shackles and think they are getting performance benefits. They are not. Longer shackle will give you less up travel. They introduce more stress to the shackle hanger. They reduce control on the road due to the sway. I'm not trying to argue with you. These are facts.

 

Our wires are crossed here.. A longer shackle within reason helps with suspension performance now that's a fact. Now whats within reason?? Less than an inch over stock for what we use our trucks for, longer than that yes you get into the issues you stated. I read the link and we need a more credible source than 4wp that was exyreamly high level information there's a lot more factors in shackle length than what's presented there. If you are only trying to lift by using a shackle lift then yes that's dumb, but a longer than stock shackle can complement a suspension system nicely.

 

I'll agree to a certain extant. I would say that no longer than 1", preferably no longer than 1/2", would possibly compliment the longer main leaf. @Squeaky Penguin had a hell of a mess on his truck with his 2" extended shackles, that was cured by re-arching his leafs and putting the stock shackle back on. But yes, you are right, longer shackles will compliment longer leafs, but it's a short lengthening that needs to take place. Most see it as a "cheap lift" and don't actually take into account what takes place when too much length is added. I still say that on these trucks with the 3" Dakars for instance that a longer shackle is not needed.

 

I used the OEM greaseable shackles with my Alcan springs, and they flex a ton. I'd go with those OP, that way they are easier to service in the long run.