Availability Of Suspension Kit With 3-1/2" Long Shackle Links

Updated 05/21/2025 | Published 09/11/2024

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for Tandem-Axle Trailers - 1-3/4" Wide Double-Eye Springs

(1070)

$251.94

MORryde Suspension Upgrade Kit for Tandem Axle Trailers - 2-1/4" Long Shackle Straps

(2088)

$125.09

Shackle Strap - 3-1/2" Long

(511)

$10.97

Question:

Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for Tandem-Axle Trailers - 1-3/4 Wide Double-Eye Springs Part Number: K71-449-00 think im looking for this kit but my shackle straps are 3.5 inch bolt to bolt on the shackle straps. all 3 holes are 9/16. do you have a kit part number? thanks

asked by: Lance R

Expert Reply:

Hello Lance, thanks for reaching out. When replacing shackle straps and equalizers, the replacement parts must be identical in size to the original. Since your current shackles are 3.5" long, you will NOT be able to use the 2-1/4" shackles that come with the # K71-449-00 kit. There is a small amount of tolerance, like 1/2" or less, but a 1-1/4" difference is way too much and this would throw your suspension out of alignment.

We do have parts that will still work for you. We have a 3.5" long shackle, part # TRSL350. These do not come in a kit though, since this size is fairly uncommon. Piecing all of these components together individually really is not cost effective, so what I would do is just order your shackles separately, then order a complete suspension kit like the MORryde # MR46ZR and just swap out the shackles. The bolts can be pressed out of the shackle assemblies. This way you can get all of the wet bolts and bronze bushings, and it will be way more affordable than buying a bunch of individual bolts.

For the equalizer we will need to make sure it is the same size as the original. Let me know the length and height of the current equalizer and I am happy to make sure you get the correct replacement. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Dickie T.

5/20/2025

using these 3.5" shackles with the MORryde MR46ZR bolt kit, would the bolts be too long considering the difference of thicknesses of the shackles, since one is 1/2" thick and the other is not?

Jesse M.

5/20/2025

@DickieT Yes you would only want to use the 1/2" thick HD shackles that come with the MORryde kit. You might be better off using the 3-1/8" long HD shackles that come with the # MR76ZR kit, but typically you would want the replacement shackles to be identical in size or it can throw your suspension out of center.

Dickie

5/20/2025

@JesseM so I cannot use the 3.5" shackles with this kit then?

Jesse M.

5/20/2025

@Dickie Oh I see what you are getting at. You are correct. You can only used HD shackles with the MORryde kits. So if you are using the # TRSL350 3.5" long shackles you would need to use a standard bolt kit like part # AP233. Then swap out the shackles. Sorry for any confusion.