Shackles

I have a 56 cj5 frame, I am going to install a 4" spring lift. Should I use stock shackles, or lift shackles? I'm planning on running 35X12.50 tires.

 

Did the '56 have the cast C shackles? My A1 did and I switched to urethane bushings and conventional stock length shackles. Once it is all put back together, I may go with longer shackles if I need a little more clearance. I have 35" BFG MT's and only a 3" Black Diamond lift. The front seems a little lower than the rear, so I may just do the fronts. An A1 has the shackles at the rear of the front springs as some of the early CJ's do. Yours?

 

A lot of that decision should be based on your final ride height, the levelness of the Jeep and your pinion and caster angles.

I'd recommend that you use stock length shackles at first. After some road time and a trip to the alignment shop, adjust shackle length as needed.

 

My 56 did have c shackles, but I could not save them. I did see them for sale somewhere.

 

Do you have any front tire rub issues? Doug

 

"c" type shackles are avail at kragemotorsports or thejeep.com or a bunch of other suppliers., I swapped my '56 over to the later type bushings and 1.5" longer aftermarket shackles. It has the front shaclkes reversed just like the M38A1, sometime in '57 willys changed over to the later type shackle. Keep in mind that the early frames were designed to flex along with the suspension, if you put stiff springs your going to have frame cracks show up. Also when flexed up the clutch pedals will bind.

 

Haven't driven it enought to know for sure. I bought Eaton 15x10 rims with minimu backspacking that they would make. I think it's 3.5". Initial checks look good, but we'll wait and see how it flexes. If I have any real clearance issue, it looks like it will be on the fuel tank well.