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Author
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Topic: Rear shackles
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Dreamcometrue
Gearhead Posts: 903
From: New-Brunswick,Canada
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 10-18-2004 11:35 AM
 
Hi. Has anyone ever used longer shackles to increase the height of the rear of his Mustang?
Thanks, Rino 
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SundanceKid
Gearhead Posts: 1302
From: UT
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 10-18-2004 02:53 PM
That was standard issue in the 70's and 80's! Not the best way to raise the rear though. It causes all kinds of wierd movements in the suspension. If you do a shackle raise keep it below 2" and even with 2" of shackle lift your only going to gain about an inch in actual height.
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68 Coop
Gearhead Posts: 5847
From: Mesquite, NV. 89027
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 10-18-2004 03:06 PM
I have the 3 hole on my car, and it sits too high for my taste. Gonna get rid of them, just waiting to do ALL the bushing at the same time.------------------
William 68 Coupe
Stock 289
Edelbrock 600/RPM Intake
Ignitor/Flamethrower
Thorley's with Da Bomb's
C4
2.79's out back(for now)
15"x7" AR ASTRO's(needin' new tires)
"Project Under Construction"
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 3394
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 10-18-2004 03:30 PM
You may be able to get a different curve on your springs to achieve the same thing. Im not really into raising mustangs though - most folk are going in the opposite direction. I actually bought the extra thick HD shackles for more stability. I cant imagine driving on stilts. ------------------
'68 coupe, '66 289 C code
engine, edel 600cfm carb, performer intake, dual exhaust http://www.geocities.com/ottouk_77/68mustang.htm
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ddenton749
unregistered
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posted 10-18-2004 04:02 PM
The other thing it tends to do if shift weight forward, which hurts handling and braking. You would be better off as indy says and re-arc your springs or put 5 leaf springs in.------------------
'73 Convertible, 351C 2V
'91 LX Convertible 5.0
Member: Valley Forge Mustang Club
"Tank, I need an exit."
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 22791
From: Reno Nv M&M #1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 10-18-2004 05:26 PM
If you want a cheap fix until you can get new springs. You would be better off using some spring helpers. Made to help with tow load. They will raise the rear end alittle. I used them for about 2years. I think I paid $20 for a pair. I jacked the rear up first until the load was off the springs. Installed the over load, or spring helpers. It raised the car about 1.5".
I don't like the looks of the longer shackles. The spring helpers do make the ride alittle more firm.I like the look of a NON lowered Mustang. Maybe I'm old school, but I still like the rear to sit alittle higher then the front.
You guys can have your weed pullers. I'll stick with my noise bleed. ------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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68 Coop
Gearhead Posts: 5847
From: Mesquite, NV. 89027
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 10-18-2004 06:15 PM
I agree, I like the "Hot Rod" look too.  I am going back to the stock ones, but might as well wait till the bushings are done.------------------
William 68 Coupe
Stock 289
Edelbrock 600/RPM Intake
Ignitor/Flamethrower
Thorley's with Da Bomb's
C4
2.79's out back(for now)
15"x7" AR ASTRO's(needin' new tires)
"Project Under Construction" [This message has been edited by 68 Coop (edited 10-18-2004).]
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Dreamcometrue
Gearhead Posts: 903
From: New-Brunswick,Canada
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 10-18-2004 06:27 PM
Hi guys. Fastymz is right. I want a cheap fix. My rear springs are way too soft. Might even be the original ones. My tires rub when I hit a bump and I have 215/70r15 on 7" rims. Guess I might as well wait next year, I'll put new ones on. BTW I like the Hot Rod look too.
Thanks, Rino
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 22791
From: Reno Nv M&M #1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 10-18-2004 06:38 PM
This is what they look like. I got mine at PepBoys, but any big auto parts store will have something like it.http://www.helpersprings.com/ ------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 48752
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 10-18-2004 07:06 PM
I'll never forget the time a friend have a pair of those tall shackles on the back of his '72 Sportsroof and they collapsed on him, taking out his rear quarters. Absolute total junk. They'll make your car handle like crap too. ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 Open
'70 Mustang Convertible 250 I6/3 speed/2.79 Open
'72 Mustang Sprint Hardtop 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Loc
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
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Bob429
Gearhead Posts: 545
From: Watervliet,MI,USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 10-18-2004 07:28 PM
I did have shackles on the back of my car. It handled like crap. You can see them on my photo page. They were about 3". I removed them and put on a set of new leafs with original set of Standard height shackles. What a difference. I didn't realize how weak the old springs had gotten. The new springs raised my car about 3 " back to standard height and now it handles great. I would either buy a new set or have the old ones re curved and keep the original style shackle. Just my $.02  ------------------
Bob
Member#39
71 J code
429 SCJ-R Sportsroof
C6 4:11
http://www.mustangsandmore.50megs.com/MembersPics/Bob429.html
2004 Pure stock muscle car Drags pics now on my page. [This message has been edited by Bob429 (edited 10-18-2004).]
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Dreamcometrue
Gearhead Posts: 903
From: New-Brunswick,Canada
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 10-21-2004 08:06 AM
Well I guess my best bet will be to get brand new springs next year. Thanks for your input.
Rino
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 4511
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 10-21-2004 08:28 AM
quote:
They were about 3". I removed them and put on a set of new leafs with original set of Standard height shackles.
Bob, do you mean they were 3" longer than standard shackles? Weren't the original ones at least four or five inches long?
Also Phil, you say you have extra thick shackles for stability. I think all mine are about a third of an inch thick. Would that qualify as thick?
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 3394
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 10-21-2004 09:18 AM
I cant remember what thickness mine were. i think something like that, maybe 1/2 inch?Mustangsplus sell them. And they came with Poly bushes as well. the stock ones were flimsy stamped affairs with a little ridge in them to create some strength. I dont like the crazy lowered look, but I dont mind an inch. My front is lowered about an inch and my rear is stock height with new springs. the old springs were sagging badly. I guess its true that with time your rear end will sag and look unsightly... ------------------
'68 coupe, '66 289 C code
engine, edel 600cfm carb, performer intake, dual exhaust http://www.geocities.com/ottouk_77/68mustang.htm
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68 Coop
Gearhead Posts: 5847
From: Mesquite, NV. 89027
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 10-21-2004 12:57 PM
I posted this in my thread, but NPD has replacement shackles with poly bushings. You can get either 3/8" or 9/16" adjustable. Throw in the front eye poly bushings, and you get the set for $60.00. They also have 4 and 5 leafs for less than $150. CHECK with these guys first, they sponser us. Just my .02 and I hope it all turns out the way you want it to. ------------------
William 68 Coupe
Stock 289
Edelbrock 600/RPM Intake
Ignitor/Flamethrower
Thorley's with Da Bomb's
C4
2.79's out back(for now)
15"x7" AR ASTRO's(needin' new tires)
"Project Under Construction"
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Bob429
Gearhead Posts: 545
From: Watervliet,MI,USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 10-21-2004 09:36 PM
Yep 3" Longer than the standard Shackle ------------------
Bob
Member#39
71 J code
429 SCJ-R Sportsroof
C6 4:11
http://www.mustangsandmore.50megs.com/MembersPics/Bob429.html
2004 Pure stock muscle car Drags pics now on my page.
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Steve-UK
Gearhead Posts: 392
From: Wickford, Essex, England
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 10-22-2004 04:34 AM
When I first got my 66 coupe the rear shackles were 4" over stock, as the rear springs were bending the wrong way. The handling was horrific  If you pushed on the trunk you could see the shackles move sideways. I changed over to G/W springs and Del-a-lum bushings, the change in the handling was great.
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