Shackle Fabbing Needed?

[My85'Runner]

Anyone out there that can fab up there own shackles. Would you be willing to fab me up a set for my rear springs? Would it be worth it to pay someone for the materials, and pay shipping or would it just be better off buying some from All Pro. I'm just trying to avoid paying the $90=shipping they want. Is there anyone out there willing to do this if it's worth it?

Just curious, feel free to let me know if this is a stupid idea. :kidding: .

[Ryan31783]

you can get a 2" strip of 3/8" thick metal as long as you need, and then just drill holes for the bolts, finish the ends off with a cut-off wheel and angle grinder

[My85'Runner]

I have no fabbing skills or history what so ever. This is my first solid axel truck ever and my only experiance with leafs as well. The idea of making shcakles scares me.

Can anyone post some shots of some homemade shackles here, that would be great, what about bushings and bolts that I'm sure to need, and what size holes do I need to drill. Asking these questions alone tells me I would rather have someone else fab these things that hold my life in paly when I drive.

[81 camo yota]

You want to get the shackles as long as you want them. Remeber that the springs will take about half of the length. Meaning you want 3 inches higher. that means you want shackles that are about 5 inches longer than the ones that you have on your truck now. Then when you get them the length that you want. c clapm them togehter. drill them all at the same time. You want the holes to be the same that way the springs are not crooked. Then you want to weld a support in them. That is up to you. What ever you think will work probably will. Then wire wheel them and paint them. Install and see what you think.

[Rescue]

Here are my building tips:

Buy some 3/8 x 2" flat stock. decide how long you want your shackle. suggestion: 6 1/2" eye to eye

Buy toyota bushing at your local spring shop. I paid mine 5$ each and you need 2 per bolt, they are split in two...total just for shackles and not for spring perches(16)

I bought, 6 1/2"x 1/2" grade 8 bolts
I also bought some 3/8 plumbing nipples to use as the bushings for the bolts.

Drill out the nipples with a 1/2 inch drill bit. Now you have a perfect fit between the bolt, nipple bushing and rubber bushing.

Drill and cut the shackles to desired lenghts.
I made holes in the middle to put a brace in (another nipple and bolt) instead of welding a brace, which hinders in 2 ways in my opinion: 1) you can drop back to original lenght of shackles because of the center hole and 2) you can remove that brace on the trail for better flex.
I run without the brace but the holes are there and have not any issues with them so far...

To take out the shackle out, and trust me they won't come out easily unless you use this suggested method

I did this in the field (no garage)....Jack the truck a bit and put a jack stand on the side you are working on.
I tied one side of the truck to a tree with some chain and attached a come along to the shackle on the other side to another tree. You can use a high lift or chain block. They came out without any fuss. You can use the garage wall as anchor points if they are STURDY!

replace the worn bushings as needed and install shackles.
install nylock nuts and lock washers

For the front shackle, instead of bending them like the OEM ones I put a bunch of washers to sandwich the spring. You can weld the washers together if you want or use what ever spacer you feel like.

CHECK YOUR BOLTS OFTEN FOR NEXT 100KMS. My nuts came loose and the bolt was holding by a thread while driving...

I wish I had a walk thru like this everytime I had a question:yes:

[GJC]

Easy to make your own. I will be running 63" chevy's, so I bought enough steel to make several pairs, starting out with 9" eye to eye on stock hanger. Easy :boing :Rockonman

[TOYOTAFREAK]

yes all these guys gave you good advice, for the front shackles all you have to do is use 2" flat steel and at the bottom use solid spacers where the spring eye goes in. This eliminates the hassle of making up the bent factory style shackles.. just make sure you check for the bodymount so you dont have problems with it hitting.





TF