Leaf Spring Shackle, Compression Style

This is a 3D model for a basic leaf spring shackle. It can be used for many vehicle models, including Toyota Pickup/Hilux, 4Runner, T-100, Tacoma as well as Mazda B2200 and B2600 pickups. Spring shackles can be used for suspension lifts or to compensate for a longer than stock leaf spring, such as on the Mazda B2200 pickups when using the BellTech lowering springs. Too long of a spring can case the stock spring shackle to make contact with the frame at full compression. A longer spring shackle can eliminate this issue: https://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/Shackles.shtml#FAQ18 The SpringShackle.scad file will produce a 3D model of a shackle side plate of the desired length and bolt hole size. Optionally, it can include welded-on anti-rotation bolt tabs that help to keep the side plates from moving relative to the bolts. Over time, the hardened bolts will wear the mild steel side plate holes, making them loose fitting. The ShackleSleeve.scad file can be used to generate models for bolt sleeves that can duplicate the factory shouldered shackle bolts/pins. Make the sleeves to be the outside width of the spring eye and bushings. That way, when the nut is torqued down on the bolt, it'll lock the sleeve to the shackle side plates producing a more rigid setup. You can use something like 18mm tubing ( https://amzn.to/4bMPgPy ) with an ID similar to the bolt you want to use, e.g. 14mm or 9/16" . This works best for on-road use. Running shackle bolts without sleeves may work better for trucks used off-road where axle articulation is important as this lets the side plates move independently. For this, you'll need to source bolts of the diameter to match the ID of the spring eye bushings. For example 18mm ( https://amzn.to/4bufZRX ). It's OK to get a longer bolt to allow the unthreaded shank to fit through the spring bushings and then have the thread start just before it exits the far shackle plate. Cut off any excess thread if desired. For bent sided shackles, you can use a press brake for cold bending, see details in the SpringShackle.scad file. Added a bend/offset option in the OpenSCAD file. Bend will occur in the center section of the side plate. Offset is how much each side plate needs to be bent. For example, on the Mazda B2200 and Toyota pickup models, the upper shackle bushing is 88mm wide, the spring eye bushing is 70mm wide. Difference is 18mm, so the offset per side is half that or 9mm. Some vehicles, like the Tacoma pickup models, have different offsets on the inner and outer side plates: https://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/Shackles.shtml#FAQ10 If unable to bend, you could weld on an additional length of bar stock to one end (photo 5) or use these Shackle Spacers: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7050383 You can use a 3D printed side plate as a cutting/drilling template or there is a 2D/3D option for the drawing, set 3D=false to render in 2D for DXF or PDF file export from OpenSCAD. Or import the OpenSCAD files into FreeCAD and you can export in many 3D CAD formats to send to a local or on-line machine shop to have the part built for you. In the OpenSCAD console window, the model prints out the computed bend angle and length of material to obtain the desired bolt hole spacing: ECHO: Angle = 8.1481 ECHO: Length = 165.748 For Mazda B2200 lowering applications, a lowering/relocation block is also useful: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6938293 More information: https://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/Shackles.shtml#Introduction Photos: 1: B2200 2WD stock spring shackle above and 1" longer that stock below 2. 1" longer than stock shackle installed on Mazda B2200 pickup with BellTech lowering springs 3: Closeup of the B2200 shackles with sleeved bolts 4: A straight sided shackle for a Toyota pickup or 4Runner with unsleeved, 18mm bolts 5. A wide-body, straight sided shackle with additional bar stock welded onto the bottom ends Photo album with more information: https://photos.app.goo.gl/2nZceJMFsYMzvoyq5