Rear Shackle

[Jeepin' Pete]

I'm curious about the rear shackle setup. It seems that a longer shackle would provide more wheel travel, and specifically more droop. Because the shackle hangar is below the shackle, a longer shackle will not lift the vehicle, but lower it, and I'm guessing that's the reason I can't find any results about a longer rear shackle. Besides the pinion angle changing and more leverage on the hangar, are there any downsides to a longer shackle?
Another option would be the ranger shackle flip: viewtopic.php?t=4467, but positioning the hangar so shackle angle is correct seems much more sensitive than when the hangar is under the shackle.

Anyone have any advice or experience on this?

[Jeepin' Pete]

Well, I guess few people have messed with the rear shackle setup so I decided just to go for it and see what happens. I'm looking to keep my lift in the 2.5"-4" range, but still have good suspension manners, as well as not spend a fortune. I think 3" with 31's look perfect on a Wagoneer, so that's what I'm shooting for.

I found this article while searching for Ford ranger long travel setups, as I read that ranger hangers will bolt up to an FSJ rear.
https://www.therangerstation.com/how-to ... ckle-flip/

I ordered the rear drop hangers from Kartek: https://www.kartek.com/parts/ford-range ... ckles.html and some XJ lift shackles from JKS: https://jksmfg.com/i-8951242-cherokee-x ... ory:381137

The hangers lower the shackle mount 1.5", and the shackle provides 1" of lift. That means the shackle itself is 2" longer than stock, which puts the shackle 1/2" above the OEM location. Therefore, I am effectively lowering my rear suspension 1/4". I could have gone with a shorter shackle, but I like the extra droop and spring clearance at full stuff, as well as the progressive nature provided by the boomerang shape.

The only negatives I see right now is the extra leverage from the longer shackle, and that the hanger might hang below the quarter panel bodyline. Also, the hanger+shackle is about the same price as the OEM HD shackles from BJ's.

[SJTD]

How does the shackle shape make it progressive? The distance between the holes is the same regardless of the shape of the sides.

The boomerang shape can improve travel if the sides of the shackle are hitting something but that's it.

[Jeepin' Pete]

How does the shackle shape make it progressive? The distance between the holes is the same regardless of the shape of the sides.

The boomerang shape can improve travel if the sides of the shackle are hitting something but that's it.

Well, I stand corrected. At full droop the shackle would be approximately horizontal, pointing toward the front of the Jeep. Upon compressing, the spring rate is "falling" until the shackle is perpendicular to the line between the spring eyes. After perpendicular, as the shackle moves towards the rear bumper, the spring rate is "rising". I incorrectly thought that the angled nature of the boomerang shackle changed when that perpendicular position was reached, but the angle is based on the line between the shackle eyes. Thanks for the fact check!

I wonder why the shackle design is described as "progressive" about halfway through the following link?
https://www.therangerstation.com/how-to ... ckle-flip/

This one helped with my research:
https://www.race-dezert.com/forum/threa ... ion.64302/

[80Limited]

I put those Kartek Ranger shackles in my 80. It leveled out the 3” rough country lift and made it sit Nice and level.