Boomerang Shackles on a Jeep YJ
Boomerang Shackles can save your leaves on a Jeep Wrangler CJ, YJ or Cherokee XJ. Or, really any leaf spring 4×4 for that matter. They prevent leaf spring or shackle inversion.
Inversion is when your leaf spring suspension goes into full drop pulling the shackle back too far. So when the spring starts getting compressed again the shackle is pressed against the frame instead of pivoting outward allowing the spring to flex. When the shackle is bottomed out on the frame the spring can’t flex so you could end up with a very bent main leaf!
Boom shackles prevent this from happening by limiting the swing or arc travel. As it swings back with the suspension going into full drop the center bolt in the boomerang contacts the frame or other predetermined stopping point therefore preventing the leaf getting stuffed into the frame.
Just a little bit about lift shackles. So many people want to get longer shackles to easily and cheaply get more lift. Don’t go that route! Maybe 1″ lift at MOST!! Why? Because high lift shackles change the front steering geometry in a very bad way. It rotates the front tires top forward making for weird and dangerous steering/handling issues. Soooo … no more than 1″ longer lift shackles and you should be ok. Now here is the kicker… some people think that if they get 1″ longer shackles they get 1″ of lift. WRONG!! You only get 1/2″ because the leaf springs just pivot at the other end .. not lift.
Wanna see the Boom Shackles video? Click here for Jeep Wrangler Boom Shackles How to mount them and why.