Reverse shackle set-up

I've searched and searched (maybe not in the right place) I'm looking for some asssitance for a reverse shackle on a C101. I can find all kinds of information on the pros and cons but I'm looking for specifics. It is my understanding that the shackle reversal causes the front axle to move back more possibly causing the tire to make contact with body. If that's the case it seems that you would want to move everything forward a bit, but how much? I know the driveline will have to be lengthened away. I going with Hell Creek springs with 4" lift. I have 33" tires now but want to go to 35's in the future.

Can anyone provide me with some ideas or directions?

Thanks

 

Not 1st hand as in I've done it but some of my buddies have. When they did it, it moved the front tires forward some, on one as much as an 1 1/2".
The longest part of the spring was in the rear.

 

In my experience, the backward motion of the axle is minimal. If you have room for the larger tires your clearance should be fine. As you can see (in this picture of a truggy I just found) the springs and axle can only move back the 2-3 inches allowed by the rearward swing of the (now) rear shackles.



You should be able to use the MORE kit on your Jeepster, or build the front spring attachments from scratch.

 

http://www.tellico4x4.com/product_info.php/cPath/3601_3078/products_id/6313 Hope this helps. Having the same thoughts-saw this on a cj5- a friend says these are an improvement both on and off road.He has been working on and driving jeeps for decades so that convinced me.

 

I would move the front end at least 1 1/2, I'm running cj7 springs,reversed with 33's the tires hit inner fenders when twisted and turned real hard..... not really a hit,,, rub is more like it,,,no more paint there .with 35's ....????????

 

Agreed. Moving the axle forward a short amount (the steering will limit you to an inch or two at the most anyway) will help. I'm only running 33's on my CJ-6 with 4.5" lift Rubicon Express Springs, and I got some rubbing, so I had to move the axle forward. The M.O.R.E. kits are designed with this in mind. If you use one of their kits on an application other than what they were intended for, it takes more thought. I used a '76 up shackle reversal from M.O.R.E. on my '74 CJ-6 and it did NOT increase the wheelbase because of the difference in frames. In case you're wondering why I used the M.O.R.E. kit, it was to get YJ width springs on my CJ. The kits designed for my year are designed to retain the 1 3/4" wide stock springs.

Just something to keep in mind...

 

Agreed! The guy in town who has the copper colored early '5 also used the Warrior kit. I've noticed (maybe it's an optical illusion) that early '5s tend to have more room between the tire and the fender than Intermediates, even though intermediates got stretched. It's almost as if though the wheelbase got stretched 3 inches, but the fenders went 4. My CJ-6 doesn't have near the room of your dad's jeep or the copper one, and my wheelbase is about an inch longer than stock. My Jeep absolutely needed the wheelbase stretch...in fact a little more wheelbase would help.

Then again this is the Commando section, which I know even less about....

So, my only realy advice is that whether or not you stretch the wheelbase you will need to address the front driveshaft. If you don't you run the risk of pulling it apart on suspension droop, or bottoming it out against the t-case on full compression. All the big driveshaft companies have long travel units that accommodate the shackle reversal. I used Tom Woods, but pick your poison...

 

Jeepster Section - Yeah, brain fart...I fixed it.

Agreed on the '76 up. The intermediates use the same front fenders. I vaguely recall reading somewhere that the intermediates got a 3" extension in wheelbase, but they were actually something like 4 or 5 inches longer from cowell to grille. Never checked though.....