Longer Leaf Spring Mounts

[Vipermarks]

New to this hobby, and a question concerning a Shackle mounts came up. If the bracket that holds the shackle end of the leaf spring was longer, meaning the fixture mounted to the frame were approx. 1 1/2" longer, would that affect the ride or safety and in effect give more lift and tire space for taller tires? My question arises from hearing that longer shackles cause flexing from side to side. Longer brackets would have to fabricated with new holes giving the added lift and welded on to the sides of existing brackets in the front and rear. Compensating for added material would need 3/8" spacers in installation. Just an idea, looking for any input?

 

[PaRenegade]

Making it longer would would pull the angle of the shackle inward and put you closer to the "inversion point" where you shackle would flip the other way. Jeep front springs are 43" eye to eye but when the longer 44" Wrangler spring are used, some guys move the shackle mount forward 1/2" to compensate when they're using stock shackles. Using longer shackles provides more distance for the spring end to move forward due to the longer spring so moving the mount isn't as crucial

Longer shackles cause flex due to poor construction of the shackle. Any flex, and there has to be some, is the job of the bushings. The sides of the shackle should not "rack". They should remain parallel. This is why longer shackles should have a welded block in the center and not just a bolt.

"Longer brackets would have to fabricated with new holes giving the added lift and welded on to the sides of existing brackets in the front and rear. Compensating for added material would need 3/8" spacers in installation."
Not sure what you mean, I'm not following you on that one. Some brackets, like the M.O.R.E. conversion hangers are already lengthened, but that's to be able to use the wrangler yj springs.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

New to this hobby, and a question concerning a Shackle mounts came up. If the bracket that holds the shackle end of the leaf spring was longer, meaning the fixture mounted to the frame were approx. 1 1/2" longer, would that affect the ride or safety and in effect give more lift and tire space for taller tires? My question arises from hearing that longer shackles cause flexing from side to side. Longer brackets would have to fabricated with new holes giving the added lift and welded on to the sides of existing brackets in the front and rear. Compensating for added material would need 3/8" spacers in installation. Just an idea, looking for any input?

Moving the shackle hanger forward would be ok if you were running a longer spring. But to keep a stock CJ spring and move the hanger forward would not be a good idea. Shackle would invert and possibly cause damge to the spring from hitting the frame.

When using longer shackles thats a wierd area. If you were to buy a cheapo shackle lift that you see people running with sotck bushings you will run into alot of side to side movement due to the length of the shackle and squishy bushings. If you were to up grade to a good quality poly bushing and a Heavy duty shackle with a cross brace then you could get away with a little bit of a shackle lift.

Now on to length. To figure out the length of shackle needed for your needs you need to double the height that you want to lift it plus 3. so for a 2" lift the distance between your shackle bolts will have to be 7" making it look very wierd and more then likely give you the wobliness you were asking about. a stock CJ shackle is 3" bolt ihole to bolt hole on center.

Most knowledgable jeep people will tell you that shackle lifts and body lifts are a no no. Either buy a good SUA (spring under axle lift) or build a good SOA (spring over axle lift) making sure to build a high steer set up with it.

I dont mind a 1" body lift and MAx 1" shackle lift if its built using heavy duty shackles. My YJ uses 2.5" springs, 1" BL and .75" shackle lift.

You are bout to enter the wide world of jeep lifting where opinions are plenty. Others experience will tell you that cheap isnt always the best. If you have a red neck friend that says (In red neck inbred voice) "we can build you a spring over lift for only $300" run.. its an expensive trap.

 

[Old Dog]

Are you saying move the shackle hanger forward? If so read above.
If you are asking about moving the hanger down away from the frame to get some lift, than I would say it would put a lot of stress on the frame and probably twist off the frame. Theres a reason nobody has done this.