I've searched through many posts about shackles, all concentrating on the SLR 2" shackle for the X. I've never heard tell of any other companies who make shackles that fit the X. A buddy of mine said that he used to get shackles for his FJ 40 at NAPA for some insanely low price - $20 a pair or something. So, what other brands of shackle are out there - and do they fit the X?
Thanks.

I was at 4wheelparts yesterday in San Jose (got a new tow hook and a 3"x30' Strap) and next to the towhooks were about 15 different sizes of shackles. I did notice the prices were all in the $20-$30 range. Might want to give them a call?
http://www.4wheelparts.com

Thanks for the info. I'm planning soon to do the 1.5 hour trek to 4wheelparts in Van Nuys for tires, so I will check out the shackles.

AC also sells shackles for the X.

I think there was a little confusion about the shackles. There's the D-Ring Shackles that John was talking about, and then there's the SLR 2" shackle for the leafsprings...

So, which ones are we talking about? The ones for towing or the ones for suspension lifting?

I was asking about the shackles for the leafsprings, to lift the rear of the truck... I didn't know that there were shackles for other functions.

I see the ones of the AC webpage, but I don't think they sell them separately because they are part of the Rancho Xterra suspension kit... correct me if I'm wrong.

You can probably purchase them seperate from the kit. The AC lift is not Rancho,its manufactured by AC , but uses Rancho shocks and AAL.

Ah I see... I will ask AC about the shackles then. Thanks.

Oh, I talked to my friend who used to get shackles at NAPA for his Toyota. I guess what he bought was a universal fit type that was not connected in the center... just two separate sections for each shackle, thus making the width of your leaf springs unimportant. (Does that make sense?)

Sounds to me like a pretty risky business, having shackles that are two separate sections - anyone have an opinion on this?

PS: AC does sell shackles seperately from the kit, $55.

[ 01-25-2002: Message edited by: wranglervv ]

Just to clarify, yes, these were the suspension/leaf spring shackles I was referencing. Different than the D-type shackles.

I was just at Blockbuster renting Scary Movie II and the guy who sold the tow hook n stuff to me yesterday was in there. Asked how the install went. Now that's customer service!

The frame side shackle mount is wider than the leaf spring width requiring the shackles to be offset. The chance of finding "generic" shackles with the proper offset is unlikely.

As far as having them in 2 pieces that isn't a concern as long as the metal is stout enough.

I have used the SLR H-gussetted 2" shackles and they worked great. I currently have SLR 1" (non gusseted, or separate) shackles that I've combined with AAL and they work great as well.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info. I had not really noticed before that the shackles are indeed wider on one end, so I guess the chance of finding universal fit non-gusseted shackles is slim to none.
Does anyone know what the offset of the frame and leaf ends of the X's shackles are, for reference?
Thanks again, all of you.

I went PepBoys today and looked at their non-gusseted shackles - $15 for a pair. Only problem is that offset.
I was tempted to consider using spacers to fill the gaps that would be present on the leaf spring end, but I guess that would be foolish and probably rather dangerous, I certainly don't want my leaf springs popping off on the freeway.

Hey nccxjohn what kind of tow hooks do they have, are they the 3 hole hooks and what are the price?

My girlfriend prefers the Smith and Wesson shackles. She likes the quality chrome plate and nice radius of the edges on the inside so her wrists don't get chaffed.

We also carry shackles for the Xterra, they are 3" longer than stock so the lift is approximately 1.5"...price $55/pair.

Hey Mastinson,

They were $7.95 + tax. They're the three-hole ones stamped with "10,000" on the side. Beefy!

Todd from EOE - thanks for the info. Do your shackles come with bolts and bushings or can I use the stock ones?

The shackles come with new bolts but you can use your stock bushings.

My advice to anyone considering shackles... IS TO AVOID THEM.

Hell, if you want 'em, I'll sell you mine! :rolleyes:

I got the 2" SLR shackles, and while they DO work, and are pretty easy to install - not to mention cheap... The ride quality kinda stinks and I don't care for how they flatten your springs.

The problem is that they force the spring pack to a flatter geometry over stock. Therefore, when going over bumps in the road/trail it's easier for the spring pack to bottom out on the load leaf. This makes a slight "clunk" sound and the ass end of the truck kinda does a hop. Ugh. I'm sure this will also weaken your spring pack over time, whether you offroad or not.

I would say go with Add-A-Leafs (AAL) instead. They're the same cost more or less, and are also about the same effort to install... But will provide a MUCH better ride, IMO.

Come Spring, my shackles are going in the trash. AAL for me, baby...

I am considering both AAL or shackles, but it seems to me that the AAL would be a pain in the ass to install because you have to disassemble the whole leaf pack. I've never done either install though so this is pure speculation.

Maybe the 1.5" shackles from EOE would flatten the leafs less than the 2" shackles from SLR? Does the length of the shackle correlate to the degree of spring pack flattening?

[ 01-30-2002: Message edited by: wranglervv ]

Yes, the taller the shackles, the more the spring pack is pushed down in the rear, a.k.a. "flattened out."

I've only done the shackle install and it was pretty painless and quick. Go figure, SLR sent me the poly bushings after the install as I couldn't wait, I just haven't put them in yet... But that's neither here nor there.

I haven't installed the AALs yet, so I'm not sure how involved it is - I don't think it's that much more work over shackles, though.

I think the AALs are the way to go, and I also think most would agree?

i have the multi AAL with 1" shackle from SLR. with my spring pack now having 6 leafs with the AAL's it's as if i have a whole new springpack altogether. they show no sign of sagging or settling. i'm incredibly happy that i waited and went with this setup. plus i got a little over 3" of height in the rear.

Nice...

I think a 1" shackle would be a better idea than the 2" and good for an extra touch of height as you have - sounds nice, especially since you're using the AALs as the primary means of lifting. I think that's the approach I might take.

Did you keep your load leaf?

no. this is the new SLR AAL which has 3 leafs to it and when using it with the factory u bolts makes it unable to keep the load leafs. they're nothing like the ranchos.

Wow, neat... I haven't seen this on their Website, let me check those out... Doesn't sound like you need a load leaf with that setup anyway.

I don't see it on their Website anywhere?

i know it's not. they tell me i'm the first in the country to use them. i guess they haven't mass produced them yet. you should give them a call.

As for installing the Rancho AAL's, they're really not that difficult. You'll need a few hours to do it. After all the AAL installs people have done, I'm surprised there are no How-To's. Depending on whether I'm there to install NJX's, I'll do a write up.

That would be great. If you do, let us know. I'd definitely rather have the AAL, and if they aren't too hard to install then my decision is made.

How much was the SLR AAL's?
John

$175.00 for the SLR AAL's.

HOW-TO:
http://www.pnwx.net/lift/lift4.htm

i'll be taking lots of pictures too...so between the write up and the pics, hopefully we'll be able to come up w/ a how to...

wqbang - Thanks for the link, that's helpful.

I decided to go ahead and try out the SLR 2" shackles despite the warnings. Call me dumb or stubborn but I like to try things myself. I ordered 'em today... should get them next week. I can always grab an AAL later if I feel the need.

Thanks everyone for your comments on this topic.