This is my first post so don't black ball me if this is a stupid question... I did a search and didn't find anything. Has anyone tried making rear leaf spring drop shackles? Or is there a reason something like that doesn't exist? I was looking at my rear leaf spring shackle and noticed there's room to relocate the bottom hole up about 1in if it was designed a little different. Maybe with flat plate and welded inboard bushings for proper leaf spacing? Would the change in pinion angle be a problem?
I make a lot of lift shackles for 04 & earlier Toyota trucks and the new Tundra, and the other day I took a look at the shackles on my 99 Taco lowered 7" in back, and after being under there for a few minutes, it just doesn't look like there's enough shackle there to do so, like the leaf would be too long and you wouldn't be able to attach the short shackle. I crawled out thinking it wasn't worth it. I have installed 1/2" drop shackles on a 05+ Taco. btw...it's my personal opinion that any person who flames someone for asking a legit question should be banned from the forum for a month. There's no such thing as a stupid question...if it's a honest question. There will always be search nazi's unfortunately though.
haha this is so weird but I thought about that same thing last night when I was under my truck, It looks like you could tuck the shackle up about 1-2 inches but with the spring rate of the leaf and the 2" of pivot on one side of the leaf wouldn't give you much drop, maybe 1/2'' Any static guys running lower than 7" (3" drop leafs and 4" blocks)? If so wtf....how?
Rule of thumb on shackles is you get half of what you add or take away, since you're only lifting or lowering one end of the leaf. Example: On a shackle that is 3.5" bolt to bolt, and for a 2" lift, you make them 7.5" bolt to bolt (4") and you'll get a 2" lift. At 1/2" on a shackle you'd get 1/4" drop, not worth it imo. You'd be better of doing a leaf hanger mod instead, which is drilling a new hole on the leaf hanger and cutting the original hole out, and get an extra precious inch of road clearance which will help on the big speed bumps, and a tiny bit of drop without any driveline vibes since the pinion change would be so small.
i have searched every where for brand new shackles for my 93 and couldnt find sh8t. do you have a new reproduction set for my truck for sale? If the price is right id get them till i can bag may truck. I was wondering if anyone did that chop i was thinking about it a while back and now im gonna do it. good pics taco.
Gilpet79 thats my 97 tacoma in the pic with the leaf hanger mod. Currently Im running a chassis tech drop leaf with a 4.5 inch blocks and air shocks. Have no problems whatsover. On my 82 I plan to do the same setup that is a 9inch drop in the rear.
