Series shackles - help please!!

[Hightower]

I currently have two rotten 88" Series III's which I am going to use to create one good one.

Unfortunately the springs on both cars are shot and need replacing.  I will be going for parabolics as that seems to be the way forwards, but have a question about the shackles.

One of the cars has the standard shackles, but the other has much longer shackles on it.  Looking at the Paddocks webiste they look very much like those used on the 1 ton variants.

Question is, do I replace the shackles with the standard or longer ones?  What are the pros and cons for each?

I'm new to all this old fashioned stuff, so any advice would be gratefully received.  Thanks.

[edy]

if its a military one, they had longer shackles, just makes the series sit higher really. so me say the only problem is when off-road, longer brake pipes and shcok absorbers are needed to get te full articulation, but of cause it depends what kind of off-roading you do. apart from that, thats it really, they just make it sit higher,i would like some on my 88' to give it a wee lift

(btw, im sure someone more knolageble will be along to confirm this or whatever but i think if you have the longer shackeles on, you need a slightly longer spring hanger aswell so the axle does not go out of line, but as i say i am unsure about it)

[Rich_P]

Longer shackles with standard civvie lenth spring hangers will throw out the geometry of the suspension.  It will pitch the axles backwards.  If you fit longer shackles then you need to have equivalent length spring hangers to match.

I'm not aware of any standard Military 88s that had the longer shackles and spring hangers, I think it was only the 109s that had this.

[stratie]

I used to run them on my old lightweight off roader, and never had a problem. All though i do know a few other people who have had big problems using them.

I allso had parabolics, and the 1ton shackles make the para's go flat, and they dont work as they should do.
If im honest for the extra inch of lift, i dont think running 1ton shackles is worth the hassle.

[Bob Ajob]

Running parabolics will give you extra lift over standard springs, so I would go for standard shackles, don't forget to get some matching shock absorbers. Even with standard shackles though you will be better off with extended brake hoses when running parabolics - you don't want any accidents when off-road!

[Hightower]

Thanks all for your opinions.

I think I'm gonna go with the consensus and get standard shackles.  It seems the most sensible way to go to start with.

[Les Henson]

I had Military extended shackles and parabolics on my last 109. The shackles lift it about an inch and the springs about the same again, so I fitted Goodridge +2" hoses as well. I had 235/85/16 tyres and the set-up worked very well both on and off road.


Les.

[Chris Putt]

One of the lads I work with has 1tonne shackles, and the HD (11 Leaf) springs on his, with 235/85/16 BF Muds on. Works well. With an 88 inch you need to watch the front prop on one of the X members.......

[TechnoTurkey]

My ex military 109 had extended shackles on it and it made it sit quite a bit higher and was more pleasing to the eye in my book.

Off road wise, articulation was unaltered but it just kept the rear of the body a little further off the ground which helped in certain situations.

I'd whack em on personally and see what happens, any changle in suspension geometery will not be that massive.

[stratie]

My ex military 109 had extended shackles on it and it made it sit quite a bit higher and was more pleasing to the eye in my book.

Off road wise, articulation was unaltered but it just kept the rear of the body a little further off the ground which helped in certain situations.

I'd whack em on personally and see what happens, any changle in suspension geometery will not be that massive.

The 109 comes with extended shackles as stock.

[TechnoTurkey]

The military 109s certainly do.