97MOUNTAINEER
Member
- Joined
- October 23, 1999
- Messages
- 12
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I just installed Auto Zones Suspension Performance Products shackles part #81400 (they are 8.5" bolt center to bolt center at the longest setting - 3 different holes). I forgot to measure prior to the install but after there was an obvious rear height increase, so much so that for the first time the rear sat higher than the front. After a little ride I measured all around and brought up the front torsion bars to even things out. I can't really say how much the increase was from the shackles, but to give you an idea I had to increase the front torsion bars 1 3/4 inches to match the now higher rear. The shackles cost $12.99 and they are simple bar stock with one hole at the top and three at the bottom. I am a little concerned that they are not welded together like some of the ones you see in varius lift kits, so I'm taking them to my favorite welder to see if he can weld a piece or two of bar stock to join them. However, without being welded together they are still as solid as the original shackles. I did see where someone here did a similar install but welded their bars to the original shackles. This would have required longer bolts than what came with the new ones, which were 1/4 inch longer than the originals, and a couple of washers to take up the gap between the leaf spring bushing and the wider combination of original shackle and new bar stock shackle. So I went ahead and installed just the bar shackles. You can definately see the new shackle underneath, but with my U-Haul hitch it's not quite as noticable. Oh ya, I was also a little concerned that the hitch would get in the way of the new shackle, but it clears with about 4" to spare.
