Brakes & Shackle Reversals Brakes:
You can also use a good aftermarket brake line. For example, if you are willing to spend a few dollars more you can get a stainless, braided line that will work great. I paid $16 each for the 26" lines on mine (part # 63070722ERL at www.barnettperformance.com). Shackle
Reversal:
When the Land Cruiser Advanced Handling kit came out, shackle reversals became quite popular as they advertised "better handling." There are many people out there who swear by shackle reversals and won’t even consider a SOA without one. This is another “each and to his own.” Personally, I’ve never done one, and think it’s work that is a somewhat unnecessary, but I’ve never spent time in a rig that had one either. The biggest advantage to a shackle reversal is the increased angle of departure. Followed by the possibly better handling. However, because my two SOA’s have been aimed at minimal lift, I’ve never done one because I always use small shackes that were never more than an inch longer than the OEM spring hangers. In fact, I’ve returned back to stock shackles now twice with SOA’s. For some trucks I think they
would be a good idea, though, but they also involve some fabrication that
must be very carefully measured, and your axle still needs to track straight
when you are done.
Don't use the LC Advanced
Handling kit for a SOA, that kit is designed for SUA vehicles and the front
spring hanger is so large that it is counter productive when the best aspect
of a shackle reversal is to increase your departure angle. For a
SOA, make your own or buy a hanger. Proffitt’s Cruisers (www.proffittscruisers.com)
carries a good bolt on spring hanger that will make the proccess a whole
lot easier. Here is an excellent example of Kurt Williams (Cruiser
Outfitters) front spring hanger which he made himself:
**One thing to note though, is that if you do a shackle reversal, do it BEFORE you measure your front axle for a cut and turn, because a shackle reversal designed for a SOA rig will have different measurements than if it retains the stock shackle postion. Next page:
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