Making and installing lift shackles for my Suzuki Samurai

In this video I use a custom jig to fabricate some lift shackles for my Samurai. Afterwards I take the time to install them. Ultimately giving my Samurai 1.5 inches of lift.
link to the Mountain Keep Facebook page:
/ mountainkeep

[@lydiahernandez6507]

Did you have to get any extended brake lines ? Or anything beside the shackles

[@mountainkeep5776]

For the extended shackles I made I did not have to get extended lines, no. When I did a spring over axle lift, I did though.

[@lydiahernandez6507]

Thanks! Just ordered some Low range ones myself 3” supposed be a 1 inch lift but my current Suzuki has some big shackles about the same size so I wonder if it already has a 1inch lift…

[@brianb.2857]

Thanks for the video.

[@magicalempire]

Nice job what size are the shackles? I mean the distance between the holes?

[@mountainkeep5776]

Thank you! I don't remember off the top of my head the total distance between bolt holes. But I do know that I increased the distance between bolt holes by 3 inches.

[@magicalempire]

@@mountainkeep5776 thanks, I have a 12 inch lift but springs over axle, now I have a new project and I was thinking about using just shakles with a 17 cm distance between the bolts or maybe 21 cm I am not sure... Thanks for you video it was very interesting.

[@mountainkeep5776]

@@magicalempire Dang that's one big lift! Is that on a samurai? Thank you, im glad you liked it. I'll have plenty of videos coming soon; just waiting for parts to arrive.

[@magicalempire]

@@mountainkeep5776 yeah a Jimmy the Asian version of samurai sj410 1983 model, now I am working on a Katana also a samurai 1989 model, looking forward to watching your videos thank you very much.

[@jessebellis478]

I've got a wite 88 zuki samurai has a fiberglass hard top !

[@jessebellis478]

Nice Zuki samurai great job man nice work on the shackles !

[@sethphilyaw1499]

getting it done. nice!

[@jessebellis478]

When will you be able to do a zuki samurai wheeling adventure !!!

[@mountainkeep5776]

I've taken the Zuki out plenty of times in the woods but all of our trails are very easy fire roads. I don't think it would make for an entertaining video. But I would love to take it out on a trek or two to get some footage. Just need to fondue up my suspension. Since this video I've installed a SPOA lift so it is a much nicer ride.

[@darwinrichey5009]

I appreciate you doing this, I am trying to decide what to do to my samurai, love seeing guys build what they need with very minimal equipment, that's what it's about.

[@AnubisReviews]

Looking to do a shackle lift on my Bronco II. They don't cross reference any lift shackles for it so I might need to make my own as well. My suggestion is to get a $60 set of helper springs so yours aren't flat.

[@mountainkeep5776]

That's an excellent idea and it would definitely smooth out the ride. However these shackles were only built as a temporary solution to the tire rub i was experiencing. Very soon I will be purchasing an actual lift kit.(most likely a YJ SPOA kit) I don't want to purchase a helper spring if im gonna turn around and Replace it all anyways. But I really do appreciate your input. I'm sure that someone watching this video will find your suggestion to be very useful. Thank you. :)

[@louiswooley966]

Where do you lift the samiri to 8nstall new schakles

[@rayfuller2657]

Really glad you back doing videos. Great job as usual!

[@mountainkeep5776]

Thank you Ray! I'm very excited to be able to start recording again. Unfortunately right as I was finishing up the engine my camera fell and broke. That's why I haven't had any videos recently. But I just got a new camera and I'm ready to start recording again. :)

[@Z-Bart]

Did this affect any drive line geometry? Or any wheel alignment issues? Thanks. It does look much better with the extra wheel well tire clearance.

[@bobjarvis8894]

I just did this mod 4 degree shim fixed it

[@richardhernandez9484]

What bushings did you use for this mod?

[@rodbacon9489]

What you don't know about leaf spring geometry and the effect on safe handling is scary. This is great if you want to build a pure offroad vehicle that will last a year or so, but for the rest of us, we'd like sensible advice please.

[@mountainkeep5776]

Thanks Mr. Bacon, I appreciate the constructive criticism. Now there's no doubt that I'm not an automotive engineer. I'm just a backyard mechanic with a toy vehicle I use as an opportunity to learn new skills and experiment with different ideas. Please if you have any valuable information that you would like to share with me regarding leaf spring geometry and how it affects handling, I would be more than willing to get into contact with you to learn a few tricks of the trade.

[@lapincretin2616]

Just high like samurai needs !

[@16driver16]

That shackle angle is fine for flat leaf springs(they dont get much longer when compressed) im gonna put front lift shackles on my Toyota pickup next weekend this video is great thank you.

[@mountainkeep5776]

Thank you, I'm happy you enjoyed the video. Good luck with your shackles next weekend! If you subscribe to my channel you'll see all of my upcoming videos. I've got lots of custom fabrication videos coming soon.

[@altonlaborde7942]

do you sell the shackles

[@armando.g_28]

Whats the tire size?

[@Tunzbig]

nice work man

[@mountainkeep5776]

Thank you, I know they came out a little on the crude side but they certainly serve their purpose. They are a temporary solution until i am ready to completely upgrade my suspension. Which hopefully will be Happening soon. :)

[@Tunzbig]

@@mountainkeep5776 if it works it's a success, I made some sliders on my channel