[Donald Butcher]

what is the length of stock shackles on a 74 cruiser? I'm looking to replace my current shackles and I don't know how much over stock they are.

Donald

 

[Eric]

I think they are 2-3/4" pin to pin.

 

[Landpimp]

http://www.sor.com/sor/cat288.tam?xax=18683&page.ctx=cat288.tam

 

[Landpimp]

http://www.sor.com/sor/cat288.tam?xax=18683&page.ctx=cat288.tam

whoops they don't show 74....I assume it's the same as 1980+ or real close.....length wise at least.

Someplace I saw a chart with all the years....hmmmm?

 

[kruzrtek]

Shackle length

Stock shackle lenght is 3" eye to eye. I would advise going
no more than 5" total eye to eye. I would also recommend that
you get an anti-inversion shackle. becauseof the large increase
of flex you will receive. And 5"isn't to much to cause any side sway
that you would notice at all!! I run 5" shackles, triangular, and
3/8" thick. They work fantastic!!

Kruzrtek

 

[FX2]

Just an idea - off course it would be relatively easy to do - a sketch or a drawing of 5" shackle with all dimensions.
I'm planning to make custom shackles for my rig and I can order them from a buddy, who works at some metal plant/factory. He'd need a sketch.
Does any one have 5" shackle design drawing? It would be nice to see it.
Thanks,
lazy FX2

 

[Eric]

Just get some 2" wide x 3/8" thick cold rolled steel bar and drill two holes where you want the shackle pins to be. I run 5" shackles so I have my pins drilled 5" apart and I think I cut my shackles at 7" or 8" long.

 

[FX2]

Eric,
Thanks for the dimensions of a shackle. I aslo plan to make my shackles braced - like here on the picture:

Though these ones are almost 10"
Then there is other issue - I've copied this from the site: "...braced is a bit more stable on the road. Unbraced has the advantage of increased flex in the springs, since the two side plates can move independently as the spring compress and extend."Shackle's refrence
Braced is more stronger than unbraced shackle then, right?
Thanks,
Andrey