My straight axle kit came in today for my willys and I was just wandering if I should mount the leaf spring shackles in the front or back? And why? Also what steering setup are most guys running on the straight axle? THANKS
Hey man, I put my shackels in the front. Why? I don't know. I saw a lot of pics with them to the front. There have been other posts about this on here. From what I remember reading, it doesn't really matter...front or back.
Thanks for the reply, I have seen a lot of pics with the shackles on the front to. The original willys axle had the shackles on the back. I have a vega steering box, but would like to get some more info on different steering setups.
When I did one years ago...I put the shackles at the rear. Most, if not all OEM had them at the rear ... and I think they look cleaner and better there.....
most oem what had them at the rear? seems to me that most of the front dual leaf spring older stuff had the shackles at the front... I know that's how chevy did it With a drag link setup (not cross steer) you want the fixed pivot near the steering box, to reduce bump steer.
I see a lot of Jeeps with them in the front, but I put mine to the rear. I guess it just depends what you think looks better.
That makes total sence... On a cross steer I would put the fixed link at the front, so the wheel moves up and back through its arc when load increases.
when you mount them from the front the axle moves in an arch, B+F w the spring, not a good thing is the weight is suddenly lifted off of it (like in a wheelie) MAJOR bump steer or speed shifting @ 100 MPH Chevy pass car shackles were ALL in the BACK from at least 1935 deluxe up to the last strt axle in 1940 and Chevy vans from 62-69 were rear shackled, I Believe they are as well on the 39-54 Chevy Pu's, but it is not verified by me
if the steering linkage is on the back the shackles go up front (opposite side of axle) and vice versa. I like cross steering (try a toyota pickup steering box).
As far as Willys goes, the shackles were in the rear up to 1938 in 1939 on the shackles were in the front. Its a draw as for the factorys as far as front or rear as I still work on trucks today and I see them still both ways and have been since the begining. I personally like them best in the front as it makes the axle more rigid with the chassis as you get more flex out on the frame horns. Also for drag racing you get more lift with the shackles out front. Why do you think the rear leaf springs are attached nearest the the center of the chassis? Same principle goes for the front!
I also build 4x4 stuff on a jeep they are in the front , a BIG upgrade for them is a kit that moves the shackle to the rear. With the shackle up front you get A LOT of road walk, changing them to rear stops the road walk I would mount the fixed part up front and the shackle in the rear specially if you plan on street driving the Willys. Just my .02 cents Btw check your email Matt .
If I have my engineering visualized correctly, Jeep probably mounted the shackle in the front to help it climb over ledges. As the wheel bumps up against a ledge, the spring compresses and a front mounted shakle tries to move forward pushing the axle more forcefully against the ledge which increases front wheel traction against the ledge. If the shackle is mounted in the back, the jeep wheel bumps the ledge and bounces slightly backward just when you were depending on the forward momentum to compress the tire against the ledge and climb over. I mounted my Henry J straight axle with the shackles in the back. I was visualizing what happens when the wheel comes down after catching air. My J is still a project so don't take my word for it.
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