Home made Shackles build and install (pics)

[SBJ420]

Hey guys
I got rid of the BII and have now started to build up my ex. It was 100% stock. So far in the last few weeks I have added body lift and 33x12.5x15 swampers.

1994 XLT 4 door auto. Transmission has just be rebuilt. 3:75 gears and limted slip 8.8

I have a few plans for this, but first need to level out the truck so I am making new rear shackles for the rear.
this is on a hill facing up so its not as bad as it looks as far as sagging goes

I tossed around a few ideas, either get new ones for $40 or build my own. I decided it would be more fun and cheap to make my own. After reading a few posts on this site I decided I would go with the same size as the warrior shackles.

went with this but took out the middle support, people have been saying it will flex just a little more than with middle support and most people have no ill effect from this.

I went to a local metal shop and got 4 pcs of .375" steel cut to length for $5 that was with the middle support at the time.

first step was to grind all edges down smooth so they can be worked with and not cut your hands up.

I got 4 grade 8 bolts that are 1/2 and 5" long with washers
so next step is to drill out 4, 1/2" holes for the bolts.

 

[Burns]

Nice...

Good looking explorer to.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The Explorer looks level, and the house looks crooked.

 

[Donner]

Pics after snow... Mean tires!

Where do you go in BC? Can you take pics when it snows? (Some of us live by the ocean, no snow over here... I miss Blue Canyon, CA - not to be confused with BC. Hope to see more pics!

 

[SBJ420]

Where do you go in BC? Can you take pics when it snows? (Some of us live by the ocean, no snow over here... I miss Blue Canyon, CA - not to be confused with BC. Hope to see more pics!

hahah well I am near Vancouver.... right on the water... the ocean I should say.
I am going out today for a little run will take some pics! and of some of the shakles

 

[Donner]

Sounds like a plan!

Enjoy and be safe

 

[SBJ420]

The Explorer looks level, and the house looks crooked.

hahaha oh yeah thanks for that

I think my truck sags just a bit in the back but once I put camping gear, a great dane and a full size spare in the back it comes down lots.

today after a little trip I hope to drill out the holes for the shackles.
I cant believe stock shackles are pressed steel, you would think they would twist right off, and I am sure they do, but this is why I am sure I wount need the middle support.

 

[IZwack]

that diagram looks familiar

 

[SBJ420]

well I did find this on this site........ maybe your post?

 

[Dopler174]

I got some cheap ones from Autozone. I drilled the holes out to fit and ran the bolts that came with it as a centre support.

 

[Rosscup]

how high did that lift your truck up? what did you do for the front?

 

[SBJ420]

if my truck is uneven after I put the shackles in I am going to put some coil spacers in the front to see if that will level it out some and well it will give me another 1.5 " of cheap and easy lift.

Here are a few pics from tonight, dident get too far, my 4x4 would not in gauge, the lights would come on but front tires would not spin.... I am thinking problem with the auto hubs.... Will dig further tomorrow.

well just use this as a reference to see if the new shackles will make a difference with the flex. This was the first time this truck has been off the road...