Revolver Shackles?

[packman]

Does anyone have any experience with revolver shackles? I was thinking about getting a pair, but there aren't any just for the X. I guess a pair for a jeep would be okay if the spring width is the same. Any ideas??

[wilburburns]

Revolvers are available for the X. There are a couple of people that have them. I'm not sure if they're on this board though.

www.4x4parts.com sells the revolvers exclusively for the X. They also have a bulletin board with people who actually have them.

You will also find differing opinions about the need for revolvers, but it's your decision. I would listen to the varying opinions before I bought though. I'm sure you'll get some of those opinions from this board.

Wilbur

[packman]

Thanks! I checked out the site earlier today. I guess I just missed them. Suppose I should have given them a call. Whats your view on them?

[FSRBIKER]

My view is TO RUN LIKE HELL! If you do any kind of serious offroading(if not why would you even think about Revolvers) then you MUST concentrate on the front suspension first...that's where you need articulation gains not the rear. All you will do is throw the suspension balance way off, I know Ned defends them to the hilt but honestly if he ever went rock crawling out here in the east we would be pulling his truck over from the turtle position on many occasions. Research this more before you jump into it...what are your other mods if you don't mind me asking? This board is VERY helpful for people to make knowledgeable decisions on mods since most of us have gone through it already.

[wilburburns]

I drive a Frontier, but It's not much different than an X. So I guess I'll give you my opinion.

The limiting factor for rear articulation is the shocks on a stock vehicle. After the revolvers, the limiting factor is still the shocks. Even shocks for the lifted vehicles are not long enough to fully extend to the revolvers limits. However, the front of our vehicles suffers from very limited travel. Therefore increasing the rear travel without increasing the front wheel travel would make more tippy and not be the great improvement it could be.

But then that's just my opinion, there are those who disagree with me. There is also the question about the revolvers releasing on-road in a panic stop and causing loss of control of the vehicle.

Disclaimer: I have only seen the revolvers in action once. That was by Nissan Mike. He drove through a mud pit to show the articulation and to show how he could drive across the pit the difficult way and get out with his locker. I must say that one of the MAXC guys followed him and drove through the same spot without the revolvers or a locker.:smoker2:

[packman]

I had the same idea just looking at the design. The shackle itself looks to be a quality product, but I really didn't think it was practical especially when you factor in the OH @*#$ factor if it were ever to release during normal driving. I realize the articulation limits of the IFS and will be addressing it shortly. I just thought I would throw the idea out there and see what I would get. Thanks!

[FSRBIKER]

If you have the money look into a well made spring pack for the rear instead of Revolvers, add aleafs, shackles, etc....I know all of us would have gone this route knowing how shitty the stock springs are and our wallets were a bit thicker. Getting a spring pack that is rated to carry all your gear, skids, rock sliderz, larger tires, etc and not flatten out after a year will make a huge difference in your trucks on/off road capabilities...for a bit more buy a set of orbit eyes from Advanced Offroad Research(www.AOR4x4.com) for your springs, cut off the factory shackle mounts and weld in their mounts for the orbit eyes and you will have the best rear leaf spring design that will ever be on an X.

[packman]

Ahhhh, I see. I already have SLR 2" shackles and I am going to need a new springpack pretty soon (Does anyones squeak like hell?) Any Recomendations?

[wilburburns]

Yes, Oil it.

This may sound stupid, but it's worth a try.

Go out and buy some olive oil (any kind of oil will work, but this is cheap)

Now get a spray bottle

Fill spray bottle with oil

Give the leaf springs a good coating of oil. This should last for a while depending on teh amount of water crossings you do.


Don't use WD40 though, because that is more of a cleaner. Any kind of white lithium grease in an aerosol can may work also.

Or you could always put teflon liners in between your leafs. I think todd at EOE sells those.

Cliff

[Philosopher]

"Super Lube" in the silver can works good too.

[packman]

My wife would probably kick my ass if she caught me using it! I used White Lithium grease (aresol) and it still squeaks like hell. Iguess I should epound more on the matter. You know in the cartoons when Mighty Mouse bent steel bars? Well it sounds just like that! I think they might have been stressed a little too much, or I just got crappy springs. It has not rained much in the past two weeks and I haven't been wheelin in three, so I guess they are just crap!

[wilburburns]

That's an easy fix...Don't let her catch you.

Seriously though, you need an oil that will run and get in between the leafs. Therefore it has to be thin. Also, it may help to soak the leaves , then drive around the block and soak the leaves again. Repeat until the oil has gotten to all the places causing the squeak.


Cliff

[FSRBIKER]

Lifting the back of the truck by the frame also helps since the springs spread out a bit letting you get the oil down in between the leaves easier.

[ned946]

I ramp 780 with the front connected with the Revolvers.

I think Todd is overreacting a bit.

Turtle? How? Revolvers don't change the compression side of the axle at all. An uphill, unweighted side is unweighted with or without the Revolver. The only weight difference is past the unloading of the spring in the stock set up, then the weight of the axle becomes the issue. In stock, you will pick up the axle earlier and the Revolver it will be later. BUT, the point that the Revolver would pick up the axle would be (IMHO) before the Xterra rolls, hence, not a real world issue!

Oh, and we have rocks.

I don't see any complaints by people who have them, on any of the issues you post Todd.

You should give it a shot and then give your reviews. Just an idea!

But for people considering them, please do your research. There are definatley two schools of thought!

-Ned

[packman]

I guess I can see both views here, on off camber situations the Revolver is something I would like to have. As I said before my only concern wold be the Revolver releasing during an abrupt highway manuver. I already planed to get a new springpack, as for the revolver, I need to do a little more research.



-Pack