The $600 1988 Ranger project. A semi-serious race truck build.

[BBR]

Sawed the truck in half again. haha.

 

[BBR]

Shackles finally arrived! When the springs are loaded, they are almost flat. That puts the shackle at a backward angle up closer to the frame. I believe this will work in my favor to allow plenty of rear extension.

 

[SenorNoob]

Isn't straight up frowned upon because of the potential to invert if you ever catch air? (Not likely on this build but...)

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Isn't straight up frowned upon because of the potential to invert if you ever catch air? (Not likely on this build but...)

I've never heard that. I dont think it would happen because the shackle is not loose on the bolts. IMO; The rubber inside acts like a torsion bar and makes the shackle want to move back into original position when unloaded.

 

[BBR]

Isn't straight up frowned upon because of the potential to invert if you ever catch air? (Not likely on this build but...)

It is for some applications where the spring is going to be completely unloaded. Like off roading or a leaf springed gasser front end.

This truck will never see that sort of a situation and will be droop limited by the shocks anyway. So I don't think it will be a problem.

Good point though.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

It is for some applications where the spring is going to be completely unloaded. Like off roading or a leaf springed gasser front end.

This truck will never see that sort of a situation and will be droop limited by the shocks anyway. So I don't think it will be a problem.

Good point though.

Looks like I need to research...

 

[scotts90ranger]

It would greatly depend on spring arc and shackle length, those springs are flat enough and the shackles long enough I wouldn't see that being an issue, every example listed above is likely to have loopy springs that the rear eye is going to have quite the arc, in this case even with the weight of the axle and tires on the springs the chances of the shackles to angle forward is near negligible, if it happens I doubt BBR will be upset, more impressed with whatever shenanigans happened

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

If I was to build another race truck ( or car ), I would get rid of shackles and build in sliders.
Probably not a good idea if you want lots of articulation tho.