CPT 6" Shackle Install

J

Jimbo75

Member
Good morning all,
1975 Scout 2, SOA, no shackle reversal

just received these beefy shackles from the boys in Grass Valley (amazingly quick shipment, thank you).
http://www.IHPartsAmerica.com/store/CPT-shackle-set.html

Started teardown last night and quickly realized that I did not factor in "straight steer" cross brace when ordering the 6" shackle. Like most guys, figured longer is better. Will call IH Parts America depending on feedback from forum.
Am I missing something obvious?
Is the brace intended to be eliminated for longer than 5", they do sell mounting brackets with the 5"?
Is this shackle length only to be used with a shackle reversal (not planning to do at this time)?
Am I supposed to get creative and fab. Something if I want the on road stability?

Back track slightly. The reason for buying longer shackles was to eliminate a "collapsed" shackle problem that has come up recently. Think they are stock length and are now parallel to the frame. The project has been under construction for a number of years, shackle collapsing is only a recent issue. Nothing changed under the vehicle.

Spent the dark hours last night combing forums for anything similar. Any feedback is much appreciated, no pics at this time (sorry).

Thank you.
 
Updates

big thank you to Chad for talking with me earlier today. So no real reason to fight through additional fabrication on these 6" shackles. I quit. I decided to exchange the 6" shackle plates for 5" w/ tabs for straight steer.

Still not sure if the longer shackles will actually fix my problem or not but at least it will be more consistent with existing parts. This truck May spend as much time on road as off, makes sense to maintain flexibility of bolt on cross brace.
 
The collapsed shackle sounds very similar to a thread another thread on another IH enthusiast forum.

Did you do the SOA in the Scout since you have had it? Are the leaf springs oem and flat? Possible that if they are aftermarket, they might be too long or too short.

I did a SOA on my 74 Scout and daily drove it for several years before and after the lift. I never had that sway bar, between the front shackle, and I did not feel any noticable issues at all. Although, I did have some wandering and had to keep hands on steering wheel at all tims. Until I installed the shackle reversal kit. Which eliminated 75-90% of that wandering.

Also, one thing to consider, if it hasn't already been done on your Scout, is doing what is called "cut and turn" with the feont axle.
 
Thanks for the info. Scooter. I did see a photo in my search a horizontal shackle but think it was opposite to mine. I think that one collapsed towards the back of the vehicle, mine was going forward.

I did not perform the SOA, purchased it the way it is. I am expecting the leaf springs to be aftermarket lift springs, truck sitting pretty high. I think I can make out "Rough Country" on the top spring passenger side. Truck came out of so. Cal., appears to have been used as a desert rig. After checking fluids, I drove it straight up I-5. Had many stops for gas and a non functioning fuel gauge.

Drove occasionally for about a year and then got into overhaul of engine, interior and body. Most of that down time was sitting on suspension and tires. The collapsing shackle did not happen until first road test this year. Not sure any of this matters but might?

I have heard the term "cut and turn", haven't done the research yet. I did not have issue with the steering and/or "road feel" prior to parking it. It is SOA, w/ lift , w/ 35" tires and a small steering wheel. Driving did take a little bit of work. The piece that is throwing me off is why now, what has changed? The answer should be nothing. Engine work was only gasket related, did not remove the block or tranny. Minor welding work in corners of floors. Swapped doors out and replace driver's rear quarter and end cap. Lots of electrical, gauge and dash work.

It seemed like the easiest, logical place to look for a fix is the shackle. We will see how long the swap will take me to complete, will try to keep this thread current.

Thanks again to scooter, any other feedback or info. Will be appreciated.
 
Did the shackle collapse inward, towards the center of spring, or outward, away from the spring?

The cut-n-turn is performed on the front axle. And involves grinding off the welds that holds the c's to the axle tube. Then rotating the c's between 4 to 6 degrees positive caster. Then re-welding the c's back onto the axle tube. There are lots of infor spread out on the net about the topic
 
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