Front Shackle issues and questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mtm_seven · 06-05-2007, 06:55 PM

Hey guys,

I'm adding some beefier shackles to my Blazer.

Have a few questions...

-Anyone tried to fix upper shackle hangers like in the attached pic (wallowed out a bit)?

-Thoughts on Poly bushings Vs. rubber? .....squeaky, longer lasting

-who has installed longer shackles - and how much longer ? Pros and cons

Thanks for the help,
-M7

florida4x4 · 06-05-2007, 09:34 PM

I made a set of hangers from 5/16 plate and 1.75x.120 DOM tubing. I used energy suspensions poly bushings and made longer shackles outta 3/8 stock. Need to shorten them a little... also moved the front hangers forward 2+ inches. Something like 4"... trying to clear 40's without cutting the back of the fender. DOn't KNow how it DriVes yet... still finisheing up.

Big J · 06-05-2007, 10:37 PM

Go Poly... Just be sure to grease them up good to get rid of the squeaks....

Huck · 06-06-2007, 08:03 AM

Extending shackles significantly impacts the handling as you loose rigidity of suspension from a wobble perspective. If you want to raise it, that is not the best way in my opinion. Stock length shackles but drop the mounts or block the springs would be the way to go. Try it out and let us know how it works. Huck

florida4x4 · 06-06-2007, 10:53 AM

YEah thanks. I don't plan to leave them that long. It happened that way because I eyeballed it and made a safe guess. I wasn't sure what I was going to end up with

I'll probably shorten them a inch or two before I call it good. Also need to bring down the front hangers to level out the springs. I actually hate lift so I'll probably be looking to trade the 6" springs for some 4" after all that.

johnnywagon · 06-06-2007, 01:12 PM

Another member turned me on to this guy: www.diy4x.com. He has a sweet HD shackle mount kit. I've been running HD 3" lift H-beam shackles for a while and I like them. BUT the driver side is starting to bend and crack because I like to twist my Blazer like a jeep.

mtm_seven · 06-06-2007, 02:02 PM

hey florida4x4 -
ORD has something like that already made up -

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/FUSH.html

(1st Pic)

I have these shackles for a replacement - thinking they will be too much lift in conjunction with my existing 4"
(Pic #2)

I know poly is the way to go - but the squeaking has been killing me.

florida4x4 · 06-07-2007, 12:05 AM

Yes I've seen those. I wanted something that tied into the bottom of the frame rail much like the stockers did.

06-05-2007, 06:55 PM	#1
mtm_seven Loading..... Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Posts: 214	Front Shackle issues and questions Hey guys, I'm adding some beefier shackles to my Blazer. Have a few questions... -Anyone tried to fix upper shackle hangers like in the attached pic (wallowed out a bit)? -Thoughts on Poly bushings Vs. rubber? .....squeaky, longer lasting -who has installed longer shackles - and how much longer ? Pros and cons Thanks for the help, -M7 Attached Images __________________ -M7 '69 SWB GMC 5.7 EFI ‘69 C/10 SWB patina survivor ‘71 K20 LWB GMC '72 K5 1-ton gear 468BB ‘79 K20 LWB GMC ‘86 K30 GMC High Sierra C&C Single Cab ‘94 LWB GMC 2500 4x4 '96 SWB Single Cab 5.7 ‘99 SWB Z71 Single Cab '01 K2500 Yukon Safari 6.0 ‘06 1500 LWB 4x4 5.3 ‘06 2500HD Single Cab C&C Duramax 4x4 '08 2500HD x-cab duramax 4x4 '11 2500HD Single Cab Duramax 4x4 Last edited by mtm_seven; 06-05-2007 at 08:33 PM.

06-05-2007, 10:37 PM	#3
Big J Its lookin' like a Blazer! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Gods Country, KY Posts: 1,772	Re: Front Shackle issues and questions Go Poly... Just be sure to grease them up good to get rid of the squeaks.... __________________ BAZINGA! My Build

06-06-2007, 08:03 AM	#4
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	Re: Front Shackle issues and questions Extending shackles significantly impacts the handling as you loose rigidity of suspension from a wobble perspective. If you want to raise it, that is not the best way in my opinion. Stock length shackles but drop the mounts or block the springs would be the way to go. Try it out and let us know how it works. Huck

06-06-2007, 10:53 AM	#5
florida4x4 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: tally FL Posts: 74	Re: Front Shackle issues and questions YEah thanks. I don't plan to leave them that long. It happened that way because I eyeballed it and made a safe guess. I wasn't sure what I was going to end up with I'll probably shorten them a inch or two before I call it good. Also need to bring down the front hangers to level out the springs. I actually hate lift so I'll probably be looking to trade the 6" springs for some 4" after all that. __________________ 1972 GMC Jimmy - 383SBC \| TH350-NP203-NP205 \| D60PL \| 14FF Detroit \| 42 TSL's \| 4Xeyes \| Heavy FOotE "Trail in. Trash out." Florida4x4 dot Com

06-06-2007, 01:12 PM	#6
johnnywagon Sofa King. We, Todd, Ed. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Spokane, Wa. Posts: 631	Re: Front Shackle issues and questions Another member turned me on to this guy: www.diy4x.com. He has a sweet HD shackle mount kit. I've been running HD 3" lift H-beam shackles for a while and I like them. BUT the driver side is starting to bend and crack because I like to twist my Blazer like a jeep. __________________ ~John 71 Blazer One Ton 65 Chevelle Station Wagon x2 59 Belair 2 Door 71 Chevy Open Road Van RV www.myspace.com/johnnywagon

06-05-2007, 09:34 PM	#2
florida4x4 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: tally FL Posts: 74	Re: Front Shackle issues and questions I made a set of hangers from 5/16 plate and 1.75x.120 DOM tubing. I used energy suspensions poly bushings and made longer shackles outta 3/8 stock. Need to shorten them a little... also moved the front hangers forward 2+ inches. Something like 4"... trying to clear 40's without cutting the back of the fender. DOn't KNow how it DriVes yet... still finisheing up. __________________ 1972 GMC Jimmy - 383SBC \| TH350-NP203-NP205 \| D60PL \| 14FF Detroit \| 42 TSL's \| 4Xeyes \| Heavy FOotE "Trail in. Trash out." Florida4x4 dot Com

06-06-2007, 02:02 PM	#7
mtm_seven Loading..... Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Posts: 214	Re: Front Shackle issues and questions hey florida4x4 - ORD has something like that already made up - http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/FUSH.html (1st Pic) I have these shackles for a replacement - thinking they will be too much lift in conjunction with my existing 4" (Pic #2) I know poly is the way to go - but the squeaking has been killing me. Attached Images __________________ -M7 '69 SWB GMC 5.7 EFI ‘69 C/10 SWB patina survivor ‘71 K20 LWB GMC '72 K5 1-ton gear 468BB ‘79 K20 LWB GMC ‘86 K30 GMC High Sierra C&C Single Cab ‘94 LWB GMC 2500 4x4 '96 SWB Single Cab 5.7 ‘99 SWB Z71 Single Cab '01 K2500 Yukon Safari 6.0 ‘06 1500 LWB 4x4 5.3 ‘06 2500HD Single Cab C&C Duramax 4x4 '08 2500HD x-cab duramax 4x4 '11 2500HD Single Cab Duramax 4x4

06-07-2007, 12:05 AM	#8
florida4x4 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: tally FL Posts: 74	Re: Front Shackle issues and questions Yes I've seen those. I wanted something that tied into the bottom of the frame rail much like the stockers did. __________________ 1972 GMC Jimmy - 383SBC \| TH350-NP203-NP205 \| D60PL \| 14FF Detroit \| 42 TSL's \| 4Xeyes \| Heavy FOotE "Trail in. Trash out." Florida4x4 dot Com

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