Ed could you make a set of shackles for a certain West Virginian?

 

Two hours? You probably should have asked first..

 

yes i know and I did use the search key on hear also but to NO avail

 

Hmmm....

Does Ed make shackles for people? I'd love to buy a set. :P

 

actually not to brown nose or anything but there are several items I have seen Ed make that I would love to have. I think the 1" thick leaf spring pads are the ***** and the shackles. I don't half the cool tools he does or know anyone who has them.

just a dumb welder and plasma are about the fanciest machines i have...

 

Well damn. I feel that Ed is now obligated to reply. It seems he has a line of people that want his stuff. :P

 

Guys, I have some stuff that I have to make for some local guys already. My diff covers have kept me too occupied to even slow down. I know this will come to an end, but the rash of guys wanting this stuff is out of control.
Stuff that I make is usually one off stuff, because I dont have the automated machines required to mass produce certain stuff with the accuracy and repeatability required to maintain a level of quality that is required for such a product. Thats any product really.

In order to maintiain quality, I must take my time, and if I take too much time, it costs more in labor hours than a product is actually worth. When I started making diff covers, I joked with a good buddy of mine that these things were killer, but the first cost me around 600 or 700 dollars to make. Add up all of the materials for the ones that did not work, and the cheesy jigs required to actually produce one piece, and the costs are out of this world.

I really cant produce any products at a level that demends more than one or so.

Yes, I can make some stuff for a few guys, but all of the things that I make are available from fairly reputable shops and manufacturers. I choose to make stuff because, I can mess up and modify.
In many cases it is less expensive to buy from a player that does this stuff for a living.
I will not be in a position to mass produce anything any time soon, nor do I want that. I really dont know how the guys that do actually make a decent living.
I am half tempted to buy some stuff. I really think that dollar for dollar, I might be time and money ahead.

For example, the shackles that most folks are talking about are not really necessary, and the design is sort of limited to this style lift. Open style, flat independant plates are more desirable, than this "A" style, or "A" design. This "A" design does not twist, or allow the leaf spring to flex as much as it could. This is also why shackles should not be attached accross the center. As the suspension articulates, the leaf spring tries to twist, and permitting this action can produce a few extra inches of articulation. Bolt or weld in a section that limits this movement, and you lose some articulation.

Consider using some mounts made for Toyotas, and instead of using offset shackles, use some straight ones. Ditch this "A" style and use straight, or even some boomerang types.
This can be done for the rear as well as the front springs.

Again, I used this style because I opted to use a bone stock spring hanger. There are plenty of options that would permit the use of a more conventional and available shackle style. The more conventional set up would also provide better performance as well.

Sorry fellas, Im just not in a position to take any orders at this time.

Thanks for the interest in some of my welded up junk though.

 

Well I must admit your welded up junk is better than mine.
Oh and a certain West Virginian asked first anyways..

 

and yet I have not been able to find anyone on the net that makes a shackle like this?

Anyone have an idea?

 

PM Ed, he said he copied the aftermarket. He could probably tell you who makes a similar shackle.

 

So I put the top back on andALready knew that the back was far too low. I decided to flip the rear shackle, and hit the salvage yard. I found some late 80's hangers for 20 bucks!
Should hold me over until I install the chebby springs.

 

That is a good lookin height, the pinion angle is gettin kinda steep...

 

Good looking truck Ed.

Infact, looking better every day!

 

Thanks guys. I busted a rear driveshaft today. That rear shaft is at a brutal angle and the small joint did not want to cooperate. At some serious flex, up a hil I expierienced some suspension hop. Truck is pretty squishy and the axle wrapped up quite a bit. More than I expected.
Maybe those chebby springs are closer than expected. I know they do a better job of controlling the axle than these do.

 

How bad is the driveshaft? Do we get pictures?