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Replacement Stock Length Shackles

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by 71CJ54WD, May 20, 2019.

  1. May 20, 2019
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
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    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?
     
  2. May 21, 2019
    Dale Boyd

    Dale Boyd New Member

    Pekin, Indiana
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    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.
     
  3. May 21, 2019
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

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    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.
     
    Thean likes this.
  4. May 21, 2019
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
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    Thanks guys. So can you guys help me understand what the bronze pieces over the bolts are?[​IMG]
     
  5. May 21, 2019
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    bushings,the rubber and steel stock ones come out the bronze bushings go in place of the rubber ones
     
  6. May 22, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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  7. May 22, 2019
    Tom_Hartz

    Tom_Hartz Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    North Carolina
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    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.
     
  8. May 22, 2019
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
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    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.
     
  9. May 24, 2019
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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    It wont be heavy duty anymore if you have to use the small bolts with the stock bushings
     
  10. May 24, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    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.
     
  11. May 24, 2019
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    I just used 3/8 X 2 flat bar . drill your own holes
     
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  12. May 24, 2019
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
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    I too will just use bar stock and holes drilled on the drill press. You went stock length and width using 3/8?
     
  13. May 24, 2019
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    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
    shackle.JPG
     
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  14. May 25, 2019
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
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    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.
     
  15. May 25, 2019
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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    Just get normal bolts with the correct shank that you need and cut off the excess threads
     
  16. May 29, 2019
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    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.
     
  17. Jun 17, 2019
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    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 Photo Jun 15, 11 10 39 AM.jpg ? 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.
     
  18. Jun 17, 2019
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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