2.3.7 Hinged shackles
Hinged shackles are a variation on the 3/4-elliptic suspension setup.
These special jointed shackles allow for an essentially bolt-on increase
in articulation. There are a few different variants on the market for
use with stock-length springs, but the maximum benefit comes from the
variants that utilize longer leaf springs, which provide a smoother
ride and greater wheel travel at the expense of necessitating frame
extensions and new springs. Hinged shackles are fully useable on a daily-driven
Samurai and the cost is surprisingly low. However, due to the great
amount of increase in wheel travel, longer shock absorbers, brake lines,
and driveshafts are also required.
