WAR153 Shackles

[jwade]

I just got my shackles in the mail from JC Whitney. One end is longer than the other and I was wondering, which end is which? Does the longer end point down torwards the ground or up to the chassis? Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

Jon Clark
1996 XLT 4x4
Torsion already performed
31-10.50's

 

[jgriffin]

Not positive, but I put the longer end up. The frame would need more clearance than the spring does.

 

[leebo]

and you would be right too. That's what I did. Do me a favor Jwade....after you install them see if your springs are flatter than before or not and give me a yell with the answer will ya????

 

[mikefox]

Did you find them in thier catalog or online? I tried online but had no luck finding them. Let me know how much as well. Thanks. Also, are these the real Warrior brand shackles or are they knock offs?

 

[jwade]

Where to find Warrior products.

Call JC WHITNEY at 800-571-5050. You might have to wait on the phone for a while, but it's worth it. I only paid about 40 bucks for the pair. I thought that was pretty reasonable. Here is the website that you can find the order No.s. Look under Heavy Duty Shackles and you will see a list to choose from. I went on ahead and e-mailed them direct about a purchase but they do not sell direct online. That's where I got the number to call JC WHITNEY. The guy gave me a couple of other other places to call but they didn't seem to know what I was talking about.

http://www.warriorproducts.com/

 

[CBoug76]

Bushings???

Did you replace your bushing or just use the original ones? I also want to do this to my explorer, but i want to make suire i have all the parts and information before i go and do it. So i would like to know what kind of bushings are the best, and where to get them. So if anyone can help me that would be GREAT!(in the Tone of "Tony the Tigger")

 

[leebo]

You can replace the bushings, but it's not a must. To replace the bushings though you're going to have to work at it. They can become a pain in the bu#@. If you do go to replace them though go with "Energy Suspension". They make well respected products that last. You can get them at Explorer Express or 4wheelparts without a problem. As for the shackles, these things are VERY well made and have a ton more metal to them than stock. They are deffently not a "cheap knockoff". Warrior is a very respected company and not only make quality products, but sells them at a very fair price.

 

[jgriffin]

Hey leebo, My springs were flatter after the install, but I still gained almost 2 inches. From what I have read here it will not hurt. If you want to get rid of it ome would probably be the best way to go.

 

[leebo]

yesss. then it's not just mine. I did see though that the travel will increase too : ) I like that one.

 

[BlueDogBandit]

Pics

I posted some pics of my Warrior Products shackles on my spacer page. There has been a lot of discussion on these, so if you are going to do it, make sure you read all the posts, to find out the info on a prefered bolt size and bushing replacement. You can purchase the Warrior Products at most 4x4 dealers. Just give them the number and they can order it. I called the company and they gave me a list of stores in my area that could get the product. I couldn't find one that had them in stock. I'm also not sure of the price that J.C. Whitney is charging. I got mine for $36. I know that http://www.desertrat.com has them as well. For pics of mine see http://community.webtv.net/Watts_Z00/COIL_SPACERS and go to the third page. Good Luck. (P.S. unless you have an air chissel, I'd have someone else install the bushings.) I did one side my self...the other side hasn't been done YET and I'm dreading doing it.)

 

[CBoug76]

BlueDogBandit,
Photo link is not working.

 

[Sinjin]

Update...
Just order my shackles from Desert Rat, Steve said that he just talked to warrior and they were out of stock of the gun-metal ones, so he gave me the Gold Zinc, the more expensive ones for 48.99, that was including shipping to Texas.
Heck of a deal, just wanted to let everyone else know that this was available through Desert Rat.

[Edited by Sinjin[PEZ] on 09-21-2000 at 02:03 PM]

 

[leebo]

just to show how these shackles I found a photo of how I got mine put on

Dead Link Removed

The only problem i've had is how much the rear spring compressed. I know it's normal but I still don't like the idea of on spring going the wrong way when flexing on the trail.

 

[jwade]

Thanks leebo, you cleared it up for me with that picture. Now it's off to my buddies garage to get it up on lifts. I'll post some pictures after it's finished.

Jon Clark
1996 XLT 4x4
Torsion already performed
31-10.50's

 

[wabbit]

shackles, piece of cake. bushings, quite a bit different than a piece of cake...

BlueDog,
At first I was gonna razz you for only doing one side of your leaf bushings. But, I don't have a leg to stand on as I sit here looking at my unopened bushing kit from a month ago. Your one side ahead of me
BTW 91-94 Energy Suspensions Rear Bushing Kit is p/n 4.2124G
The shackles go on in a half-hour or less. jack up the bumper till the wheels just start to raise off the ground.
Don't use your factory bolts and if the provided bolts seem "sloppy" loose in the bushings, replace them with 14mm or 9/16" bolts and locking nuts.
As for the bushing set install... Well, you better "pack a lunch"

 

[Goober]

Questions about the shackles. and excuse the ignorance if it is obvious. I have checked the front page under tips and found nothing on it.

First, what comes with the kit? I see the back ones are bolt on, but the front ones use rivets, does the kit just replacing the rears? Also which ones (part #,if known) would I use. (91 XLT 4x4) Thanks.

 

[jgriffin]

The shackles only go on the rear. The kit is only to longer shackles and new bolts. Not sure if yours would be the same, but my part number was war153. I think the xlt's have a narrower spring though, which may require a different shackle.

 

[leebo]

Goober, it's a simple "Quick Fix" type of lift. They mostly lift your rear up about one to two inches to help get rid of some of the sag that forms. Seeing that you also have one of first Explorers I'm sure they've settled down just a bit(unless you've done replaced them). The front is left untouched through this all. All that comes in the kit are two shackles, two bolts and nuts. The only problem people have with the install are sometimes the bolts that are supplied are not large enough and tend to rattle just abit. If this happend just drill a whole into the shackles and reuse the stock bolts. Also the Warrior site and all of their books say these are for a 96?? and up. Don't worry about it. I have a 94 and they work fine. One of the members on this site bugged Warrior till they made a pair for him, and his was a 96?? or something to that year. He also messed up on the correct size of the bolt. That's why some fit right and some don't.

Click on the link in my post above to get an idea on what it looks like.

here is why some of the bolts are too small and some fit fine
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=13690

[Edited by leebo on 09-22-2000 at 08:44 AM]

 

[wabbit]

no, really... do not reuse the factory bolts...

I reiterate. If you're gonna put these on, go ahead and get bolts that will fit properly. I'm not saying that if you re-use the factory bolts, the shackles will explode and fall apart. I am saying that if you take a good look at the factory bolt, you will see that the diameter is stepped and drops from 9/16" to 1/2" at 1/2" from the bolt head. Consider the WP shackle material is 3/8" thick (compared to 1/8" thick factory shackle), you are left with only 1/8" of riding surface at each end of the shackle bushing. Or, if that's not totally clear, it might be easier to just trust me on this one...
I'm glad to hear that WP is updating their kits. Below is a copy of my E-mail correspondence with WP regarding the bolt size issue. As you can see, the rep got a "little piffy" but ultimately sent me the correct bolts(14mm).
(The e-mail string is in reverse order... last is first)

Warren
---------------------------------

Jerry,
Thanks for sending the 14mm bolts and nuts. They work great.
BTW, so do 9/16" ones. I checked.
Warren

-----Original Message-----
From: Warren Bacus [SMTP:wbacus@bwn.net]
Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2000 1:04 PM
To: 'Info'
Subject: RE: Shackle bolt size problem Set# WAR153

Thank you Jerry,
I will opt for the first option you have offered. Please send me (4)ea. 9/16"x 4 1/2" gr5 bolts with locking nuts to fit same.
Option two, return for credit, does not help me or Warrior Products.
Option three, well for me it's not an option. I don't know why WP would supply a 1/2" (.5000) bolt to run through a 14mm (.5512) or 9/16" (.5625) diameter bushing sleeve but I will assure you that it is not the correct bolt for this application. Whether WP is inclined to review this issue and revise the spec'd bolt for these shackles is certainly at your company's discretion. However, for my situation, I will request that you do please send me the aforementioned 9/16" bolts w/nuts so I can install and use your product with confidence.


-----Original Message-----
From: Info [SMTP:info@warriorproducts.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2000 9:47 AM
To: Warren Bacus
Subject: Re: Shackle bolt size problem Set# WAR153

THANKS FOR YOUR RESPONSE. YOU HAVE THREE OPTIONS. WE COULD SEND YOU A
9/16" BOLT BUT IT WOULDN'T FIT AS THE FACTORY BOLT IS 14MM. YOU COULD
RETURN THE MERCHANDISE TO THE STORE WHERE YOU BOUGHT IT FOR CREDIT. OR YOU
COULD INSTALL THE SHACKLE WITH THE 1/2" BOLT PROVIDED. WHILE IT LOOKS AND
FEELS "SLOPPY" WITH THE WEIGHT OFF THE SHACKLE, IT FUNCTIONS FINE AS
MOVEMENT WITHIN THE SHACKLE IS MINIMAL ONCE THERE IS WEIGHT ON THE
SUSPENSION SYSTEM.

JERRY SMITH
-----Original Message-----
From: Warren Bacus <wbacus@bwn.net>
To: 'Info' <info@warriorproducts.com>
Date: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 1:15 PM
Subject: RE: Shackle bolt size problem Set# WAR153


>Jerry,
>Your supplied bolt is 1/16" smaller diameter than my bushing sleeve. Your
bolt is a 1/2"-13. Im measuring my bushing sleeve as 9/16". Are you sure???
Please verify that your kit is supposed to come with 1/2" bolts.
>I'm not splittin' hairs on a precision fit but a 1/2" bolt in a 9/16" hole
is sloppy loose...
>
>Warren
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Info [SMTP:info@warriorproducts.com]
>Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 11:52 AM
>To: Warren Bacus
>Subject: Re: Shackle bolt size problem Set# WAR153
>
>THANKS FOR YOUR INQUIRY. THE BOLT IS SMALLER THAN THE FACTORY BOLT AS WE
>ARE UNABLE TO PROCURE AN IDENTICAL METRIC SIZE. THE BOLT WE PROVIDE HAS
>BEEN USED SUCCESSFULLY FOR SEVERAL YEARS WITHOUT PROBLEMS. IT WILL NOT FIT
>AS SNUGLY IN THE BUSHINGS, BUT THAT IS OK.
>
>JERRY SMITH, TECH SUPPORT
>888-220-6861
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Warren Bacus <wbacus@bwn.net>
>To: 'Info' <info@warriorproducts.com>
>Date: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 9:44 AM
>Subject: Shackle bolt size problem Set# WAR153
>
>
>>I just got my WAR153 shackles for my 91 Explorer XLT. The bolt holes and
>the bolts supplied with the shackle kit are too small in diameter. As in,
>they do not fit snugly in the inner sleeve of the bushings.
>>Please respond with info on this issue. I cannot install these until this
>is resolved...
>>
>>Thanks, Warren

 

[Randall]

whats the difference, quality or otherwise, between the 'gun metal' and the gold zinc versions?