Warrior Shackles: Installed

[felsmann]

Can't you just post the drawing on the board?

 

[mikersoft]

Walrus,

If you get the chance, please email me the drawings, too. Thanks. I've been reading all this talk about the shackles & I really want to do it to my '97 Sport 4X4. I keep putting it of 'cause everytime I look under the truck, I can't seem to figure out where the shackles are going to be installed. Maybe seeing a drawing would help.

Also, If anyone has photos of the shackle installation, please post them. It would be a great help. Thanks, all....

-Mike

 

[felsmann]

mikersoft,

Look under the rea, follow the long leaf to the rear bumber. The thing it attaches to is the shackle. It is setup from the body to the leaf on an angle. The idea is to replace this for a longer one.

 

[Walrus]

mikersoft,

I'll gladly e-mail the drawings to you in jpeg form (very elementary but do a good job of illustrating what actually goes on with the suspension when the shackle length is changed). I need your e-mail address. E-mail me directly and I'll respond with the drawings attached...

 

[Walrus]

Felsmann,

To my knowledge, no I can't (but perhaps there is a way).

Rick,

Suggestion? perhaps we could add the ability to "attach" a file to enable downloading by registered users???

 

[Gigantor]

Hey can I get a copy of the Drawing? In 2 formats if possible. Dwg and BMP.
I would greatly apperciate it.

gigantorclark2@hotmail.com


------------------
Nick
'93 XLT 4 Door 4x4

 

[mikersoft]

Thanks felsmann & Walrus...

With your info & drawings, I've figured out what needs to be done. Now I just need to get off my lazy butt & order the shackles.

-Mike

 

[felsmann]

Well, I finally got my shackles and installed them this afternoon. They sure did an excellent job on my truck. It is perfectly leveled after the front twist. I also changed my shocks for Edelbrocks last week, and the improvement is incredible. This truck is better than ever.

Everyone should do this!!

------------------
Juan Felsmann

 

[mikersoft]

Felsmann,

Sounds great. I ordered my shackles & I'm looking forward to getting them on. Can you give my any advice on the install of these (like the best place for the jack, jack stands, or precautions with the leaf springs)?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[GJarrett]

Mike,
Lift the back ONLY on the frame rails! If you get lazy and use any other handy place (such as the frame piece where the hitch chain holes are) you will be very sorry!

Dumbwad McDufuss (whose hatch wouldn't open until he sent it back to the dealer to fix)

 

[mikersoft]

Thanks for the warning DM....(GJarrett)

-Mike

 

[felsmann]

Mike, I can't be of much help there, since I took it to my buddy's shop and he did it for free!



------------------
Juan Felsmann

 

[sbrawner2]

Installed the shackles last weekend with a pair of jackstands and a 2 ton jack. Took about 30 minutes with smoke break included.

Procedure:

MAKE SURE YOU BLOCK FRONT TIRES SECURELY BEFORE YOU BEGIN. DO THIS ON LEVEL SURFACE ONLY!

1. Jack up one side at the front mount for the leaf spring, just enough for the tire to clear the ground, insert jack stand just forward of jack on frame rail.
2. Take tire off, unbolt old shackle top and bottom (elbow grease or breaker bar required). Remove old shackle.
3. Install new shackle while a helper pulls down on the leaf. Tighten new bolts until your arms hurt.
4. Jack up axle at the shock mount so you can remount tire (the spring hangs lower now). Remount tire.
5. Release jack. Jack up on frame rail forward of the stand (just like step 1) and pull stand out. Drop jack.
6. Repeat for other side.

I will not be held responsible if you kill or maim yourself while doing this, as I cannot vouch for anyone's intelligence or mechanical ability. This procedure worked for me, so I am sharing it with you all.

P.S. I got about 2" of lift from this, my ride looks killer now.

 

[mikersoft]

hey Sbrawner2,

Thanks for the info... I'll be installing my shackles soon. Did you do the torsion bar twist as well? I read the step by step torsion bar twist in the Explorer Tips section of this web page, but I'm still unable to identify the part(s) (no photos included). I guess I need to go get a service manual.

Mike

 

[GJarrett]

Mike,

The torsion bars run longitudinally toward the back of the truck from the front suspension. They are maybe two and a half to three feet long, a little over an inch in diameter, and stop right under your front seat. I bet you can find them now.

The adjusting bolt is at the back end of the bar right under your front seat and is protected by a plate but the plate has a hole in it so you can put a socket right on the bolt and crank away.

Gerald

 

[mikersoft]

Thanks Gerald,

I'll check it out this weekend. With any luck, soon I'll be ridin' an inch or so higher and no saggy rear!

Mike

 

[97MOUNTAINEER]

I just talked to a rep at Desert Rat and 10 more shackles are scheduled to arrive 10/27. If you have experience with these new 95+ lift devices I'd like to hear about it. Winter is coming, the Wilderness A/T's are not what they were 60k miles ago and the wife is expecting the end of Feb. (i.e.- as good a reason as any to hit her up for a new set of 31X10.5R15's don't you think? Baja Belted's, I was thinking. BTW-any feedback on these tires for snow & ice traction? Just a little complaint-let new guys know about the case sensitivity of their UserName & Password.

 

[97MOUNTAINEER]

oops- I goofed, Baja Belted only come in 31X9.5 and 31X12.5- would the radials be better for the snow & ice conditions here in central Illinois?

 

[97MOUNTAINEER]

MAN- I've been looking at too many tire sizes. Once again, they come in 31X11.5 and 12.5. So, any advise on the Belted 31X11.5R15's on some AR 767 15X8's? Clearance, snow & ice handling characteristics, cheapest place to buy???

 

[GJarrett]

Shawna:
Just read your post. Great info, except Warrior makes clear that you should NOT tighten the bolts enough to bow in the shackles, and mine were WAY bowed in when I tightened them all the way. I had to back off the nuts until only about two threads were showing and the shackle bars are now parallel again. I didn't use blue Loctite or lock washers and the nuts are still holding their position fine. Be careful you didn't over stress them. I'll Loctite 'em later if need be but I don't think those nuts are going to move.

97 Mountaineer:
Have you tried posting your tire qn in the "Tires and Wheels" forum? I haven't read there yet but if you haven't, you might ask there. There's a lot of experience on this board and I am sure you'll get all the feedback you need. As for those of us who have purchased the shackles, I am happy as can be with mine: a great cheap mod! I've received several emails from many who bought them after we got them on the market and everyone I've heard from so far is very happy with the results. I also got the gold anodized ones; these are fairly visible under my truck -- they don't blend in like black ones -- and have been pulled over in Dallas by other Explorer owners who just had to know where I got them. Go for it! If you're about to pay for a baby you won't notice another $45 anyway, right?

Hope this helps!

Gerald

[This message has been edited by GJarrett (edited 10-23-1999).]