Econoline shackle flip

[devildog303]

Has anyone done a shackle flip on there van? If so pros and cons to doing it? I'd like more suspension articulation out back of my e350 eb

 

[Mwilliamshs]

Leaf spring shackles in tension (spring on top bolt) allow more movement by having a greater swept area of roughly 130* in most cases. Compression shackles (spring on bottom bolt) can swing about 80* in most applications. Tension shackles tend to ride smoother (freer movement) and be more stable (lower roll center) all else assumed as being equal.

I'd be interested to learn how a compression shackle translates to greater articulation. I assume it's because of the higher roll center giving the body more leverage on the springs? Seems that would be countered though by the greater axle movement (droop to bump) of the tension shackle. I know of a late 80's Chevy pickup that was much better at keeping tires on the ground before the ORD shackle flip was done for lift but got bigger tires and a locker to compensate. I think the reason compression shackles are so common on custom projects is the simplicity of through-mounting the shackles to the frame in compression as opposed to the bracketry required for tension shackles and that most custom work in the expedition/off-road realm is done to include some lifting. Hopefully Chris or Agile will stop by. They're more knowledgeable of suspensions than me.

 

[ujoint]

I've never seen a shackle flip on an E series, I don't think it would be worth the effort. If you look at any of the desert guys that are still running leaves in the rear they always have the shake going up and longer than stock.

 

[devildog303]

Ok thank you for the knowledge, I was using it more to get rid of the lift blocks in the back of my quigley but if will hinder the overall performance I'll pass and get some custom springs made.

 

[QCAuto]

Can be used to get rid of block and change pinion angle( so if you do it don't forget to note the change, may need to remount perches) I did it on my bronco and only difference I noticed was no block and less axle wrap from it

 

[Stumpalump]

I've never ridden in a shackle flipped vehicle that I liked. It screws with the handling and makes them loose. They also don't climb as well. The axel gets pushed back instead of being forced into the climb. All that weird moment just makes drive lines break. I won't claim the expert on this but that's my opinion from what I have seen.

 

[Skooter_Built]

Ive done a shackle flip on my E450 ambulance.

Honestly it was more work then it should have been but that was due to the frame and box being so close.

Sometime this year I'll give my opinion on how I like it. I might go back to the original design and go with different springs and blocks in the rear.

All depends on how i like things and the final weight of my rig.

 

[Mwilliamshs]

I've never ridden in a shackle flipped vehicle that I liked. It screws with the handling and makes them loose. They also don't climb as well. The axel gets pushed back instead of being forced into the climb. All that weird moment just makes drive lines break. I won't claim the expert on this but that's my opinion from what I have seen.

Makes me think this might be about shackle reversal (from front end of spring to rear) as is done on the front of jeeps and Ford trucks as opposed to shackle flip (from above spring to below). Why? Because with the shackle at the rear the axle is always moving back on compression whether tension or compression shackle style but with shackle at the front axle moves forward on compression and the effect is great for climbing but awful for ride, hence the popularity of the reversal.

Rear leaf spring shackle flipping from above spring to below but always at rear of the spring, which is the focus of this thread, will have little to no effect on climbing except where articulation or bump travel might be factors because in either compression or tension shackle setup the axle will be moving the same direction during compression or being pressed into an obstacle and that's to the rear.