IH-Only front-shackle questions

P

Patrick Morris

Member
I like the new front shackles! Looks like they are bent from a single piece of steel, same as the stock ones and much better looking than anything else on the market. (I will probably be ordering a set from you at some point.)

I'm just curious though, why you didn't retain the higher 'axis point' for the bar like the stock pieces use. Was it just so you could make both right and left pieces from the same blank?

At a glance I would say that they might, with the swaybar installed, restrict independent movement a little too much since it would be partly trying to stretch the bar in addition to twisting it. Am I worring about nothing?
 
I see your point but I feel the location of the swaybar shouldn't make a whole bunch of difference. I have two Scout II's that have been running them now for a couple of months and neither driver noticed any difference.
 
These shackle kits are now in stock. I should have them posted up on the online store in the next day or two.
 
Hi Jeff. I was just getting ready to order a set. I have on question though.

I was wondering, are the shackle bolts You supply long enough to account for a pair of flat washers and maybe allow a few threads to extend beyond the nut?
 
I can add the washers for you and make sure the bolts are long enough for no extra charge. I'll look for your order and make the adjustment when I see the order process.
 
Don't worry about supplying washers, Jeff. I don't mind reusing the ones that are on there now. They are nice thin cad-plated flat washers and are only about 6 months old anyway.

My current shackles are about stock thickness -- 1/4". The bolts I'm using are 3-1/2" long (shaft length) and they leave about 1/4" extra beyond the nut. If your plates are 3/8" thick I would guess that 3-3/4" bolts would work perfectly. Maybe that's what you are already supplying?
 
Okay, I just ordered a set!

To be honest, I hesitated a little while when I saw that I could buy just the shackle plates (two "front" and and two "plain") for about $44. $25 add'l for the hardware seems like a lot of money, but I can see from looking at the set that finding the 2.2" sleeves for the center bolt might take more running around than it would be worth... So I guess it's a deal that works for me.

Would it be too much to ask to get fine-thread bolts---20 tpi sound right?---for the shackle eyes? (I have no preference regarding the center bolts.) only reason I ask this is I'm using fine thread on all the other spring-bushing hw and I'd like to keep things standardized, for spares, etc. If it's a hassle to get them or will cause a delay, don't worry about it. It's not that important.

And at the risk of sounding repetitive, bolt length of 3.75" por favor :thumbsup:
 
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First off, the shackle sets I sell include 7/16"x4" long coarse thread grade 8 bolts and grade 8 lock nuts. I do not stock 3 3/4" long 7/16" bolts or fine thread so if you want them that length plan and on cutting them down. I see no reason why they have to be that exact length otherwise.

As for comparing shackle plates versus shackle sets lets break it down:
7/16" x 4" grade 8 bolt - $1.12 x 4=$4.48
7/16" grade 8 locknut - $.94 x 4=$3.76
5/8" x 4" grade 8 bolt - $2.38 x 2=$4.76
5/8" grade 8 locknut - $1.85 x 2=$3.70
2.25" spacer - $3.00 x 2=$6.00
5" shackle plate - $6.25 x 2=$12.50
5" frt shackle plate set - $32.00
total - $67.20

so the front shackle kit costs $2.75 more as opposed to buying everything seperately. If your time and gas to track down all these parts is worth $2.75 then I suggest buying our shackle plates and supply your own hardware.
 
My appologies Jeff. I stand corrected on the expense of producing the full shackle kit. That's what I get for doing math in my head on a Saturday morning. Now that I read it again I regret the tone of my post. Saving on gas and run-around time is actually what I meant by "it's a deal that works for me," though that's a vague way of putting it. And 4" bolts will do just fine.

Please let the order remain as is. I'm just looking forward now to receiving them and getting them installed on my rig. I'll send you a picture of them installed once I get them painted and on there.

Side note: since I've been using a home-made set of 4.5" shackles up front I've already got 3* shims under the axles. I think those will still be okay with your slightly longer shackles... In case you were wondering what I was doing to do about the caster issue.
 
No apologies needed. Sometimes a parts price needs justification. Nuts and bolts do add up quickly. I'll have your shackle set sent out today.
 
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