so say i built a bastard pack using dakota leaf springs . an i feel they ride a bit stiff. if i got my shackle angle corrected to about 45* help soften the ride?

 

Shackle angle does help slightly if you're angle right now is close to vertical but won't make any drastic change (might not even notice it). Your best bet to make the ride softer would be to put in thinner or less leaf springs.

 

fare enough , some one got mad at me cus i said it mite help abit. i was wrong. not a big deal. thought i'd ask .

 

IMHO, shackle angle makes a GREAT deal....a world of difference.

 

It will ride like crap if the shakle is vertical. They are meant to be at a 45* angle.

 

That was my thought. I have my jeeps rear set to 45* and my traction was improved in situations while drooping. Also just the ride quality was better.

 

Oxen, I'm really new so forgive my ignornace. How do you measure the shackle angle? Is it just the front or rear of the shackle (rear leaf here) angle that goes to 45*?

 

Its the angle the shakle makes with the ground on a flat surface.

In our case the top of the shakle points toward the front, and the angle the shakle makes with the ground is around 45*.

 

like so :

 

sorry to thread jack a bit, but what are some other perks for changing the shackle angle to 45?

 

Better flex and longevity of leaf springs.

 

does it increase or reduce the lift height at all?

 

Slightly reduces lift height if its not angled and is vertical.

But relocation brackets tend to add lift.

 

Slightly reduces lift height if its not angled and is vertical.

But relocation brackets tend to add lift.

 

X2