Shackle tube diameter?? And hanger fab.

[PanamaExpat]

Does anyone have a set of shackles off the truck and can give me the ID of the tube? Not the one around the bolt but the shackle itself. Mine are fairly fragged and it is cheaper for me to fab up some out of real steel than to buy the cheesy things I see on eBay and have them shipped.

Also... has anyone ever fabbed up a set of hangers? I was looking at them and it looks like it would make more sense to move the hanger from the top of the frame rail to the bottom and get a couple inches of lift instead of lengthening the shackle. From what I understand about the laws of leverage and lateral forces longer shackles would tend to be more bendy. I could be completely wrong on this so if anyone cares to correct me please do so.

 

[brinker88]

Check out Rangebe2.0 (Nathan) build. I believe he has drop hangers he fabricated. As for the shackles, just get OE ones. There's no point in fabricating them. They're heavy duty enough. If they've lasted you since 1994, what's the point?

 

[Snoranger]

Check out Rangebe2.0 (Nathan) build. I believe he has drop hangers he fabricated. As for the shackles, just get OE ones. There's no point in fabricating them. They're heavy duty enough. If they've lasted you since 1994, what's the point?

You do see where he is..... Shipping is going to be killer.

 

[brinker88]

I believe he just wanted photos of them. That's still free in Panama, right?

 

[Snoranger]

I believe he just wanted photos of them. That's still free in Panama, right?

Yes, I do believe pics are free. I cant be sure, I dont live in Panama.

I was referring to this:

As for the shackles, just get OE ones. There's no point in fabricating them.

In other countries, its sometimes cheaper to fabricate your own then to have them shipped in.

 

[PanamaExpat]

Thanks for answering guys. snoranger is right shipping is the clencher here. Also the factory shackles seem kind of flimsy. Our roads even though they are paved are treacherous. Pot holes so deep they will rip an axle loose. Been there and done that already and that was on the PanAmerican Highway. If I want a set of shackles from the Ford dealership they will take 6 to 8 weeks to get here and you won't believe what they will cost.

I am not sure if you are getting what I am asking on the hangers. I wasn't thinking of flipping them. I was thinking of moving the shackle mount from the top of the frame rail to the bottom. Looks like a couple inches of free lift if I do that. My old hangers are in marginal condition and would probably last a couple more years. But if you saw the picture I posted in the Clutch kits thread yesterday you can see why I would rather solve the problem now.

Oh and Brinker... you didn't by chance remember where you stashed those pivot bushings? I am just about to order them from Rock Auto.

 

[straycat]

Yes, I do believe pics are free. I cant be sure, I dont live in Panama.

I was referring to this:




In other countries, its sometimes cheaper to fabricate your own then to have them shipped in.

I was in Panama a bunch of times back in the 80's in the military. We gave them a bunch of money before and after we got rid of Noriega...they can buy their on crap....lol


Pass the loot…lol

 

[PanamaExpat]

Cat are you always so obnoxious? LOL I am semi retired GRINGO. Wife is Panamanian lawyer. I have also learned one important thing.... If you can't win an argument with a woman trust me you're doomed if she is also a lawyer.

 

[cvar]

Some dimensions are posted here:

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7645

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=9660

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7637

http://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/products/Ford_Rubber_Encased_Bushing-1594-186.html

 

[PanamaExpat]

Hey CVAR thanks. Those gave me a bunch of useful dimensions. That second hanger is kind of what I had in mind for the rear hanger. Unfortunately I still don't have the inside diameter measurement for the top tube on the shackle. I think that last link you gave was for the front spring bushing.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Are you talking about the inside dia. where the bolt goes thru? If so, the bolt shank is 9/16". I'm sorry if this sounds silly, but that's the only thing I can picture in my head from your description.

Richard

 

[PanamaExpat]

I know the bolt is 13 or 14 MM. But the measurement I am looking for is the outside diameter of the rubber bushing or the inside diameter of the tube the bushing is in. As I have marked between the lines with the word HERE.

I am hoping someone has a shackle laying around on the work bench or someplace and would throw a caliper in it to tell me the inside diameter of the primary tube.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Gotcha

 

[JoshT]

I do not have a set of shackles that I can measure, but I do have a set of energy suspension spring bushings. They include replacement bushings for the shackle, so while I can't give the ID if the shackle I can give the OD of the bushing. The box is outside in my Explorer shaped storage shed, but I'll try to remember to measure one when I get home from work tomorrow.

 

[-Nathan-]

here are mine that I made: