Can I use longer "rear" shackles on the front?

supra89t · 02-06-2008, 08:58 PM

I have 2 shackle kits: Performance Accessories 0380 and Performance Accessories 2342. 0380 is a 1" lift, rear kit. 2342 is a 1.25" lift, rear kit. I would like to use the 1.25" shackles on the front. I emailed Performance Accessories tech line the following question:
" I have a kit marked 2342 Jeep Wrangler 1 1/4" Rear Shackle kit.
It is non-greasable. What is the difference between this and the 1 1/4"
front non-greasable shackle? Can I use these on the front? Why/why not?
What, in general, is the difference between the front and rear shackles on
the YJ?"

They answered:
"The 0283 shackles for the front have a longer overall length than the 0342.
Although the amount of lift is the same, at about 1 1/4", the travel of the
springs and shackles is different. Also, the location of the brace in the
shackles is different. I would not use the 0342 shackles on the front of
your Jeep due to the possibility of binding and restricted travel."

I replied asking for pics of the parts and they do not have any.

Anyway, my question to you guys (after searching all over the web) is can I use the 1.25" rear shackles on the front successfully? If not, why not? Does anyone have pics of the differences between the front and rear ones? I also have a set of 1" lift shackles that I am going to use on the rear that were made for the rear.

Thanks in advance. Also, did anyone switch from regular shackle bushings to greaseable ones? Did you notice a significant difference in any area, ie ride, flex, etc...?

supra89t · 02-08-2008, 12:34 PM

Not everbody at once, now. Has anyone ever had front and rear shackles in their hands at the same time? Can anyone recall the difference? Surely this question has been raised before. If I am missing it in my search efforts, please, by all means, give me the link or the specific search terms you used to find it.

Thanks again.

sitdwnandhngon · 02-08-2008, 01:12 PM

i just pulled my stock shackles and they are all exactly the same, i replaced them with homemade lift shackles that were all exactly the same, and so far everything seems to be working fine

SEZARO21 · 02-08-2008, 01:41 PM

The difference is that the shackles that are made fior the front has the center brace right in the middle and the ones to the rear have the brace further down. The reason they do this so that the shackles could allow moore drop for your rear axel without binding against the frame. Does that help. You could use the ones for back in the front but you cant't use the ones for the front in the back.

sitdwnandhngon · 02-08-2008, 02:17 PM

that makes sense, i made mine the same for front and rear and havent had problems yet, ill have to see what develops

supra89t · 02-08-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEZARO21

The difference is that the shackles that are made fior the front has the center brace right in the middle and the ones to the rear have the brace further down. The reason they do this so that the shackles could allow moore drop for your rear axel without binding against the frame. Does that help. You could use the ones for back in the front but you cant't use the ones for the front in the back.

I think this is exactly what I was looking for. I have 2 sets of rears, a 1" lift and a 1.25" lift. The center brace on the 1" lift set is offset to one end some. The center brace for the 1.25" set is in the middle, but it is the same distance from each end as the longer offset of the 1" set. I think I confused myself there, but does that make sense? Here is a quick MS Paint sketch of what I am talking about where the longer (1.25") set is on the left and 1" set is on right:

Your explanation seems to make sense. I will put them on and see what happens.

Thanks!

supra89t · 09-26-2008, 04:36 PM

I put them on and all seems well. The brace in the middle of the shackle hits the frame a bit and I may trim it eventually, but it doesn't seem too bad. Took them to Tellico and all worked fine.