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I installed my 2" Skyjacker softride springs

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Dave Bougher, Sep 19, 2011.

  1. Sep 19, 2011
    Dave Bougher

    Dave Bougher Member

    San Diego CA
    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2010
    Messages:
    54
    I installed my 2" skyjacker springs on my 1970 cj5. It gave me 2" in the front and 1" in the back, and it is not quite as high as I was hoping also knowing that it will sag a little as it wears in. I have shackles that are 4" from c to c of bolt holes and my plan is to fab. new shakles that have a 6" dim. from c to c of bolt holes and install them to give me that little more of a lift I am looking for. Does anyone see a problem in doing that.
     
    Dave Bougher, Sep 19, 2011
    #1
  2. Sep 19, 2011
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    3,437
    Should be OK. You might need to adjust your caster with steel shims if the longer shackles reduce caster enough to cause a "squirrely" feeling in the steering at higher speeds.
    Maybe different length shackles between front and rear could work for you, minimizing the effect on caster in the front axle. I did that on the '71, as the rear springs flattened a bit. I added longer shackles to the rear only, to keep the body level. Adding the longer shackles to the rear only caused me no problems.
     
    lynn, Sep 19, 2011
    #2
  3. Sep 19, 2011
    jeepcj

    jeepcj Member

    cincy, Ohio
    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2009
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    601
    Yes! A guy that had a few how too's in jp magazine told me that when you exceed more than 2 1/2" with a shackle lift in the front you start changing the pinion angle, by lowering one end of the leaf spring (ie. the bumper end of the front axle) and not the other. this rotates your axle and points the pinion upward. When in reverse, the torque points the pinion even higher and can cause u-jiont binding, causing premature wear or breakage. when going forward it pushes the pinion downward on the front axle. The same affect happens in the rear but in different directions, going forward points the rear pinion upward from the torque, and in reverse it go's downward. thats what ive been told anyway.
     
    jeepcj, Sep 19, 2011
    #3
  4. Sep 19, 2011
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    This is true, longer shackles in front will raise the pinion. However the immediate effect will most likely be noticed in the change in caster angle, potentially causing poor return-to-center and darting, if the angle is reduced enough. Chances are if the D27 is still in place, the lift and shackles will not have much noticeable effect, except maybe causing some bump-steer.

    If a D30 is installed, the lift and shackles will usually require steel shims to correct the caster angle (Target 6° +/- 1°)

    The change in pinion angle, by raising the pinion, is probably slightly beneficial to the joints during normal driving. The amount of shackle lift we're talking about is not going to cause any binding.
     
    lynn, Sep 19, 2011
    #4
  5. Sep 19, 2011
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    8,360
    OK, but 2 1/2" lift with shackles requires 5" longer than stock shackles, which would make the shackles 7 3/4" long. He isn't going that long.
     
    Patrick, Sep 19, 2011
    #5
  6. Sep 19, 2011
    jeepcj

    jeepcj Member

    cincy, Ohio
    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2009
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    Ok, I am no expert. I was just passing on what I had been told. I have never used extended shackles, that was just the posible problem that I seen based on what I had been told. By the way, I don't do business with this man anymore, I think he knows his business but is a crook. He took advantage of a buddy big time..
     
    jeepcj, Sep 19, 2011
    #6
  7. Sep 19, 2011
    cj6/442

    cj6/442 Sponsor

    Fallbrook, Calif
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    Feb 6, 2008
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    won't the longer ones will also straighten the shackle angle,, if I'm doing it right on paper ....... ??
     
    cj6/442, Sep 19, 2011
    #7
  8. Sep 20, 2011
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
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    4,539
    Yes it will. BTDT If you get too much length on the shackle they can want to flip forward and get stuck there, potentially bending the main leaf. Try making some temp shackles out of some 1/8" or 3/16" to test the length. If you are getting close to vertical on the shackle with the length you want you may need to move the shackle mount forward a little to get a better shackle angle. Probably won't be an issure with a 2 1/2" lift spring set, but it can really be a problem with 4" lifts.
     
    Posimoto, Sep 20, 2011
    #8
  9. Sep 20, 2011
    Dave Bougher

    Dave Bougher Member

    San Diego CA
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    Sep 3, 2010
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    Cool, thanks for all of your input guys, It sounds like I will be ok. when I fab the new shackles 6" c to c I am going to drill some extra holes at 5" c to c just so I have the option to lower it if needed.

    thanks again
     
    Dave Bougher, Sep 20, 2011
    #9
  10. Sep 24, 2011
    RATTYFLATTY

    RATTYFLATTY I think you need a little more throttle

    Central MN
    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2007
    Messages:
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    With doing all this why not keep your shackles a little shorter by lowering the rear spring mount. Just grind the rivets off and add a spacer between the mount and the frame.
     
    RATTYFLATTY, Sep 24, 2011
    #10
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