Installing Revolver Shackles
Installation is very simple and straightforward. The directions are also simple - very simple. Too simple. Kind of scary, actually… A good cigar and a beer (or many) make the installation more enjoyable. Block the front wheels good! Jack up the rear axle and remove the tires. I placed jack stands under the rear of the Uniframe, just ahead of the rear flares. I chose to use a floor jack to put a slight amount of pressure under the rear axle, jacking under the differential. Then, I removed the upper and lower bolts from the shackle on one side. Getting the top bolt out is easy - for those of you with older XJ's, take it easy, as you definitely do NOT want to rip the welded nut off the inside of the frame rail. If you have the factory gas tank skidplate (like I do), you'll have to have someone apply pressure downward on the drum so you can get the shackle far enough down to remove the bolt… excellent design, I think…
Oh, it's not that easy, is it? The fit is VERY snug. I had to tap it in with a rubber mallet. Reuse the 9/16" bolt that was in there, greasing the shaft of the bolt, and using a little blue Loctite on the threads (medium strength). Tighten snug, but MAKE SURE the shackle can move back and forth. It's important to not over tighten the bolt, as it the shackle must be able to rock back and forth in the frame housing.
Grease the Revolver shackle via the zerk fitting on the rotating part. One side's done! Repeat the process on the other side. Now the fun part, checking for driveshaft bind, brake line length, e-brake cables, shock length, and diff breather line length.
Pull
the shocks down to full extension, and see if you can remount them.
If not, they are too short. If so, they're just right. Mine were just
right (RS9010's). Check the brake line - I was running RE's stainless
brake line for a 3-5+" lifted XJ. However, at full droop on the Revolvers,
it was just a little too short. So, I called them and ordered their
stainless line for the 3"+ lifted YJ, which is 4" longer than the one
I currently have. Problem solved! I had already swapped in a YJ e-brake
cable on the driver's side, so that was plenty long. The diff breather
line was WAY too short, so I went to the auto parts store and bought
some new line to replace it.
After installing the shackles, I marveled at seeing the rear end perched atop my 48" HiLift jack, both rear tires sitting on the ground. Simply awesome. I haven't had a chance to get it off road yet, but can only imagine. If you notice from the pictures, the droop is quite impressive. I personally feel that installing these shackles, and the combination of the Revolvers and the rear leafs is yielding results similar to the TeraFlex rear coil conversion - with much more stability.
On road ride improved significantly. The only explanation I can come up with is that the Revolvers slightly preload the springs, and thus, improved ride on the road. They are quiet, too. Under very hard braking, the rear end does NOT get crazy, the Revolvers do NOT open. I have heard a rumor from a couple people that heavy braking on a steep downslope will allow them to open, but I haven't tested that yet. All in all, for the price, these things are well worth the money. The cost of mine was $217. The Revolvers are also available for CJ's and YJ's. For more information, contact:
|
