Shackles

Can anyone tell me the distance between the holes on stock shackles on a 1970 cj 5

 

Just measured, 2 3/4” centre to centre

 

Thank you so much I’m going to make my own

 

How much will that drop the suspension off they are 4 inches now?

 

Approx. 1”

 

Thank you much

 

Interesting I have a 1978 C5 and mine measure about 4 1/4” center to center, anybody know what stock would be?

 

I made my own they are 4” beach 66 bum gave me a measurement of 2.75” center to center on the holes for stock shackles

 

I have a set of these I bought from a member here. They have grade 8 bolts on 3" centers, they are 1/2" stainless, paid $50.00 for them if you want them, let me know. Rick Whitson.

 

Do keep in mind that increasing the shackle does far more than just raise the suspension height. It changes the pinon angle, in the front can change the caster. If the angle in relation to the leaf and shackle is outside an acceptable range it could haver detrimental effects to suspension action.

 

So it looks like 2-3/4” C to C for 1978 is what was originally installed from the from the factory?

 

Just a little internet searching would reveal the answers... and lots of opinions. Its talked about all the time on Jeep forums.

Anyway, the stock length, bolt to bolt on early and intermediate CJ's (55-75) is 2.75". These JEEPs have different length OEM front (38"ish) and rear (44"ISH) springs, and are 1.75" wide.

Late model CJ's (76-86), both the CJ5 and CJ7, have 3" shackles from the factory, off-center bolt to bolt. The factory springs are close to the same length front and rear (44"ish) but are 2" wide in front and 2.5" wide in the rear.

Note that different aftermarket springs will vary slightly in length, depending on how they are measured, spring rate, free arch, lift, etc, etc. Hence the approximate measruments.

A slightly longer shackle (1/2"-1") will generally yield a more flexible suspension with lift springs. As mentioned above, this may require a caster correction for decent road handling. Lastly, a longer shackle also will provide 1/2 the lift in extra length. Thus 1/2" longer gives 1/4' in lift. Longer shackles are otherwise not an intelligent way to gain lift.