Sliders versus Shackles?

[Caver Dave]

Several years ago, I saw a group of 5-6 ton axled truggies bashing up Lower2 and noticed they all had sliders on the front leafs (may have been on the rears, but I didn't notice). They appeared to be custom, as the slots for the bolts/plastic blocks were angled up (front) & down (back) in the channel and MUCH longer... not parallel like the AFCO sliders (below) and worked pretty well from what I saw




Anyone used them or have experience with them offroad?

I realize this is "archaic", since everyone's gone to links & Coils over leafs. However, I like the simplicity of leafs... since I already have them and ain't considering links anytime soon.

[biggin]

i run a set on my front axle on the rear of the spring(like shakle reversal). Mine are angled and start farthest from the frame in front and rise at about a 25 degree angle going rearward. the idea behind this is, as the spring compresses and gets longer(if you have a lift spring), the spring will tuck up a few more inches due to the angled slot. and just the opposite if the spring decompresses. I have run them for 10 years and never had a problem. I replaced the UHMW blocks around 4 years ago and only had about a 1/6th of ware on them.


It flexes great and no ill affects

[UP_ROKTOY]

when i was like 10 I thought I had come up with that idea. that was 20 years ago

What do one of those cost?

[Caver Dave]

Thanks biggin!

Assuming you made them, what's the consturction? (1/4"?)

Got any closeup pics of the setup on your rig?

[biggin]

yea its all 1/4 flat plate. ill get some close ups.

[apeters89]

Originally Posted by biggin

yea its all 1/4 flat plate. ill get some close ups.

how about a few with measurements, etc. I'd think these could really help someone with a leaf sprung vehicle keep the COG low.


also, got any close up pics of it in a few different positions? ie: full droop, full stuff, etc.

[craigellis77]

What? It's Thursday jhyat...you can't post stuff like that until Tuesday.

If you're being serious, here's my perspective: a lot of people do not build a vehicle just to go break it. However, sometimes parts break for various and sundry reasons. That's the nature of off-roading. Maybe some people do try to break things...if so, that's their choice. I'll learn from them.

Back to the tech....biggin, we needs pics! I'm interested in seeing how you built your slider.

[gottagofast]

Originally Posted by jhyat

you guys are just fucking nuts!!!! why would you ever spend your money on your jeep then just break it??? NUTS!

Go away crackhead

[biggin]

sorry guys, ill get pics asap. it has been raining here and the jeep is sitting outside. as for the comment about breaking shit, I have never broke anything in my STOCK dana 60 front because of this setup. and i sure as hell dont baby it. so jhyat you can suck my slider

[4whlflop]

So how long are your slider boxes? It seems as though the AFCO and other sliders for cars are not very long and may limit travel in an offroad situation. I kind of like this idea if it was put into a heavy duty version and may be more travel, i.e., longer slide area and maybe angled some.

[craigellis77]

That's why we're waiting on pics from biggin. The sliders on his Jeep are longer than the AFCOs and angled as well.

[lojones]

Definately like to see some pics. The way im picturing it me head it may allow the axle to walk forward more than usual, putting more pressure on the front half of the leaf if its arched. With an angled back shackle the weight of the rig keeps the shackle from going forward too easily. OR maybe it doesnt matter and it works great which is what im hoping, this would help me lower the front of the jeep about 5"!

[91YEEPER]

do you run these instead of shackles?

[rustywagoneersdotcom]

x23 for pics.

Thanks in advance.

and 91, yes, these would be in place of a shackle.

peace
Dave

[KrazYJ]

in for the pics....

[rustywagoneersdotcom]

also, biggin, how 'stock' is your stock 60? outers?

peace
Dave

[biggin]

these are some crappy phone pics sorry. ill get better ones

[biggin]

the slider box is made out of 1/4 x 3" flat stock. the guide rails are 1/2x1/2 square stock. The entire box is 12" long. ill get some better pics tomarrow. and the 60 has stock shafts and knuckles.

[rock-rod]

Originally Posted by lojones

Definately like to see some pics. The way im picturing it me head it may allow the axle to walk forward more than usual, putting more pressure on the front half of the leaf if its arched. With an angled back shackle the weight of the rig keeps the shackle from going forward too easily. OR maybe it doesnt matter and it works great which is what im hoping, this would help me lower the front of the jeep about 5"!

From what I have seen with a friend running this set-up, it doesn't stress the front of the spring any worse than a regular shackle. Military wrap is definitely required to keep from snapping the main leaf, but the slider does work very well and it keeps the springs flat when they are cycled. Pinion angle stays pretty close to flat without much change as well.

[Coma1]

I've had good luck with this setup. Not perfect but it works and has kept my front u joint alive. Ran the Speedway 6" version of the Afco shown above for 5 years. The sides bend pretty easily against rocks, was always trying to get them straight again with a hammer... Made a new set out of 3.5 x 3.5 .25 wall box tube. The bent sides experience drove me to leave a support at the rear but may not be needed with 1/4 wall.

0.5 round tube and delrin for the slides. Hindsight, I would have made the slots closer to the top instead of midpoint and removed more from the bottom. 8" long OA. 0.625" slot, 9/16" bolts. Also, the bushings seem to get chewed up a little by the slot, as you can see in one pic. Oh-junk oem YJ springs so they are really flat and only move forward in the slider

[craigellis77]

Thanks for the pics guys. Biggin what leafs do you run on yours?

What are the negatives to running sliders?

[biggin]

right now im running stock yj springs. When i first built it i was running 4" trail masters with 38 tsl's. Now i run 42 iroks with no lift. Im going back to 4" fabtech springs and im gonna do away with some of the material i have on my front mounts and my sliders to get it down lower than it is now. Im killing the stock springs but they flex like crazy until hey break

[Rusty4wd]

I would assume these limit droop vs. a shackle set up?

[lojones]

Should give more droop than a shackle. A shackle is limited to its small arc, where this is going to be limited by how long a slot you put in, the longer the slot the more droop possible.

[SHARPMACHINE]

Pretty cool, never heard of them. Looking forward to the pics.


sharpmachine