Replacement Stock Length Shackles

I was going to use lift shackles but decided last minute to stay lower to the ground. My stock shackles have some wallowed out holes so they need replacing. I see Rockauto has some AC Delco shackles but they look like I would bend them flexing. OMIX has some HD shackles but I can't tell if those shackles will work with my stock frame and leaf bushings. There seems to be a bushing on either end of the OMIX greaseable HD shackles - or can I simply bolt them up to my new stock rubber bushings?

 

I put the Omix HD shackles on my 71 CJ5 with stock springs and bushings. The new ones went in easier than the old ones came out. The only issue is there was a reinforcement bar running from each side of the rear frame to the rear bumper. I don't know if those were standard - this Jeep has a massive tow bar on the rear bumper. I had to remove the reinforcement bars to swap out the shackles, and when I went to reinstall the bars there was not enough clearance with the grease zerts installed in the bushing. I just greased them well and left the zerts off of the rear.

 

My opinion is dont try to make lift with shackles. But if you increase lift with springs put on slightly longer shackles to let the springs move.

With stock spring use stock shackles.

 

Thanks guys. So can you guys help me understand what the bronze pieces over the bolts are?

 

bushings,the rubber and steel stock ones come out the bronze bushings go in place of the rubber ones

 

Realize the original bushings ("silent block" bushings) are rubber between an inner and outer shell of steel. these are a tight press fit into the springs and hangers, and the outer shell can be tough to remove. Covered a lot in old posts here. site:earlycj5.com spring shackle bushing removal replacement - Bing

 

I'm not an Omix guy but these are what I'm using. I will say they are very good but not perfect. Some of the threads on the Hardware and grease fittings needed reworking.

 

I have brand new rubber bushings for the frame and spring sides. Perhaps I can find a stock HD shackle that doesn't have the bronze bushings.

 

It wont be heavy duty anymore if you have to use the small bolts with the stock bushings

 

I'd think you could buy an extra pair of shackles, discard the side bars and use the parts in the stationary mount on the frame. Bolts may be too long, but only by the difference between the side bars and the spring mount. A few added washers would work, barring something tidier you could work out.

 

I just used 3/8 X 2 flat bar . drill your own holes

 

I too will just use bar stock and holes drilled on the drill press. You went stock length and width using 3/8?

 

yep . the trick is finding grade 8
7/16NF bolts with a long shank ( for the inside of bushing to ride)
lucky for me we have a mom and pop place that still has odd ball bolts

 

I doubt new bolts can be had locally for me. The stock ones are pretty rough. I'm going to have to McMaster some to the house.

 

Just get normal bolts with the correct shank that you need and cut off the excess threads

 

you should have a hardware store (fleet farm, menards, lows, Ace hardware, ETC) that would have grade 8 bolts. thats a pretty common grade for regular jeepers to buy.

 

If I have 6.5" long shackles on the front of my front springs, and rear of my rear springs (1966 CJ5 V6), guessing that's a lift kit by the PO. Does anyone know the length of the OEM shackles shown above in your pic @Twin2 ? I'm debating to leave these or go back to OEM ones. My springs are OEM, but look pretty beat up and have 10 leaves (front) and 8 leaves (rear). Thinking about replacing those too.

 

bolt holes are 3" center to center 7/16 diameter