Shackel reversal.... It sure seems like it would help out the ride on my cruiser. Where Can I get a kit or does anyone have a writeup online with dimensions to make one? Thanks.

Lee

It is arguable whether or not this is a benefit, but it is an inexpensive mod, so go for it.

Go to TLCA.ORG and there are links there for the Member Businesses.

There you will find the vendors that make the kit you are looking for.

Check out:
LC Advanced handling
Man-a-Fre
BTB Products

to name a few.

I would highly NOT recommend any of the above listed products. The only thing you create with the advanced handling is rock catchers.
Do a search on some of the shackle reversal other have written up, this has been a well dicussed topic. <IMG SRC="smilies/skull.gif" border="0">

I don't know, If you are not into hard core rock crawling and you are more interested in the way your Cruiser performs on the road, the products I mentioned are for you.

I agree with Ranger in the fact that the way the "Kit" Shackle reversals are designed, they have a "tower" that mounts to the front of the frame that is designed to keep your Cruiser at it's factory caster.

IF you mount the fixed end of your spring flush with the frame like I did you MUST cut and rotate your knuckles.

This may not be an option as you stated you wanted an improvement in the road manners of your Cruiser.

If you want to do a Shackle reversal, and a cut-and-turn AND a spring over (might as well if you go this far), go to IH8MUD.COM and check out the information you need.

I suggest that you test drive a cruiser with a SR before you decide. I have never been able to notice any significant difference in either handling or ride quality as long as both suspensions and steering systems are in good shape. There are some good reasons for doing a SR, but a big improvement in ride and handling are not IMHO.

[ 10-16-2001: Message edited by: Pin Head ]

Here is what I have now. 1969 fj-40 with 4" suspension lift, Spring under Axle. No power steering. Road manners on smooth blacktop are good. Once on gravel it really sucks. (loves to wander and follow the groves) I will run 38" tires with a SPOA in the future. For now I am running 33" tires until this spring when I do the SPOA, For now, I am going to do the disk brake conversion, double steering arm and saginaw power steering. The Samari I used to have came stock with the shackels in the front, it basically sucked on road, until I went to a shackel reversal, pwr steering, crossover. I know the FJ isn't going to drive like a ferrari, but It definatly needs some improvements from what it is now. It looks like the Plate for the saginaw mounts to the plate from the shackel reversal. $280 is robbery in my opinion.

OK there is a little more information. If you could shim you axle and get the caster back as close to normal as possible that should help you out a lot.

DON'T waste your money onthis bolt on mod if you know youare going to do a SOA in the near future!

Thanks for the info. What degree shim do you recommend. 2 4 or 6 degree shim. The suspension is all stock except for the 4" springs and aftermarket shocks. SOA will be going on in the future.

Thanks for the info. What degree shim do you recommend. 2 4 or 6 degree shim? The suspension is all stock except for the 4" springs and aftermarket shocks. SOA will be going on in the future. Thanks for the help

Hey while you guys are on this topic I have the LC Advanced Handling kit and I am looking to go SOA. I have not seen a write up yet that said how to do this. When I remove the front "rock finders" what do I use for the front spring mount? What do I use for both front and rear mounts for that matter? I have stock springs with an add-a-leaf that I figure I can just pull the short thick add-a-leaf and use them. If I use the stock springs I don't need to cut and turn the axle right? I have read every link info I can find on this but going to a SOA from a shackle reversal kit has not been addressed as far as I can find. Thanks for any info you can give me.

David <IMG SRC="smilies/usa.gif" border="0">

72 FJ40 4"skyjacker, 2 1/2" body lift,350tbi,SM420 installed soon,locked frt/rear,36tsl sx next week,disc frt, and more

My FJ40 had the LCAH SR kit on it before I did the SO conversion. Write up is on my website. Basically you need to find someone who wants to buy your LCAH parts because it is not a good idea to incorporate those spring hangers into a spring-over conversion. The extra 1.5" of lift produced with the LCAH hangers makes for a too-tall SO rig, IMO. I prefer to use the stock spring hangers.

I have the LCAH kit and spring over and well being to tall all depends on how much sheetmetal you have left and what tire size your running. As far a catching rocks, no more then my saginaw power steering and ARB Bull Bar that protects all this hardware upfront. I've seen numerous other ways to perform the shackle reversal and Cruisers without and beyond any doubt, I recommend it fully! But if you do a search on this board someone did it fairly cheap using square tube and two pieces of 1/4" plate to reinforce it...truly stout!

Thanks for the imput, To fix the castor problem I have now, what degree of shim should I run on the front. I have 4" SPUA lift springs in now. 2degree 4degree or 6degree? I am thinking 4 is the correct one, but I only want to do it once. Thanks.

I sent you a PM PLease Get Back to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 degree's

6 degree's

2 degree's

<IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

I bet you want 4deg shims also but not knowing the brand of 4in. spring, whether you have extended shackles or not and the current castor value it is hard to give you a difinitive answer.

if you have lift and longer shackles, you need 6degree, if not, 4degree. be sure you get the longer studded spring pins.

Here is a pic of my front end. I believe the shackles are stock type. Not sure. The lift is 4", but I am not sure on the Brand.

<IMG width=640 height=480 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/underfrontLC.jpg">

So definatly not 2 degree. 4 or 6 ????

Wow look at that shackle angle. I bet it rides pretty rough huh...

Your best bet is to take the thing down to an alingment shop and see what the caster is right now. Then go from there. There are too many variables to say exactly what degree shim you need.

The stock spring hangers work very well. But 3" square thick wall tubing can make a very strong spring hanger as well.

yeap, rides like a lumber wagon <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Got it that way, none of it is my work. What would help the ride? Different shackles. Shocks look fairly new.

When you take a spring that is made out of several thick leaves and then you have a shackle that is almost straight up and down the thing will ride like a tank. The best way to make a springpack is to have a bunch of thin leaves and to have about a 50* angle to the shackle.
When are you planning on going to the SO? The Hy steer or the double steering arm will really do nothing for you right now. In fact it might hurt you. It is a very easy mod to do the saginaw system with what you have right now.

I plan on installing a locker (which arrived yesterday), installing disk breaks off a mini, crossover arms and saginaw steering All at the same time (once I get the parts all gathered). The SPOA is not going to be until next spring when I install the 38's and use it mainly for wheeling. Now I am just trying to make it a decent driver with what I have now (no pwr steer and wandering) and 33's. The springs have about 5 or 6 leaves now. I am going to take 1 or 2 out and see how the ride is then and then go from there on the castor angle.