yj shackle lifts

[graves14]

who makes a good shackle set for the yj?  im looking for between 1.5-2" but havent really found anything.  What are you all running adn waht are my options....will cj shackles work? how much longer are they?

thanks
pgk

 

[NomadJeep]

I would not go more than an inch...  shackle lifts will change your pinion angle, then it is a non stop battle to get it right...

MORE makes great shackles

 

[JeepinMaxx]

I originally did a 1-1/4" shackle lift

http://www.quadratec.com/cgi-bin/sgin0101.exe?T1=16052+321&UREQA=1&UREQB=2&UREQC=3&UREQD=4&FNM=00&UID=2006010623513028

just high enough to clear 30x9.50 BFG MT's stuffed.  When I added the Rusty's 4.5" spring lift I kept them.  I think a 1-1/4" shackle net a 5/8" lift.  Still no real vibes with the Rusty's 4.5" + shackles - without a SYE (with a 1" t-case drop).  At the Rally , I ramped a 909 on Detours ramp (33x12.50).  Not bad for a spring under YJ 

pat - if you have any pre '90 YJ questions, let me know!

 

[ghiradelli777]

i want to shackle lift but i am afraid of the pinion angle switch.....

i am being a sissy on a bunch of this stuff...... :redface:

 

[NomadJeep]

there is nothing sissy about not wanting to waist money...


the shackles will effect a little... do you know your angles now? 

what type of shackles are you running? and pinion angles are always correctable with shims... just depends on how much you plan on getting out of the shackle for lift... to much will mess up you pinion and caster... so sometimes it is not worth it, but a small amount and going with a stronger shackle will only be a plus anyway... so ...

 

[ghiradelli777]

how do i figure out my angles??

i have stock shackles right now.....

 

[NomadJeep]

you have a sye, so all you do is go to Sears or a hardware store... buy an angle finder...  put the angle finder ($10) on the flat spot of the drive shaft, then put is on the flat spots on the back of the diff...  right where the tubes come out, and off the cover.  then subtract the 2...

ideally you want the pinion to point 3 degrees below the number you go off the drive shaft.

 

[sean_cj7]

Just Say No to Shackle Lifts

 

[ghiradelli777]

if i want to clear 35's i need to get 2 more inches everyone is saying.....

so do i add shackle and BL or just 2" BL??

 

[NomadJeep]

Well, granted spring over would be the best, but if your only goal is 35" tires...   

do the MORE shackles, which only add 5/8 lift.  but are strong as hell, and give you greasable poly bushings.

then do the 1" BL... and a ton of cutting on your wheel wells


When you did the TJ flares, did you cut them to true tj opening?  I so then you should be good.


Give you some info... I have 4" springs, 3" Custom BL, and 1.5" spring hanger change and 5/8 Boomerang shackles.    but I never cut my wheel wells, and I rub on full flex all the time

want to see what works? lets get together and you can try on my 35" and see what you got for room...

 

[ghiradelli777]

can we do it on the saturday morning of the MG???

 

[Rubi04TJ]

Ghiradelli777 where are you located?

 

[albalb]

just to give you an idea from another yj owner...

I did 4" springs, 2" bl, and what I believe are 1" lift shackes (they were on the jeep when I bought it in order to clear the 31"s that were on it, with stock springs ... not possitive about the lift height, but I think it's 1") and my fronts were clearing fine, but my rears were rubbing substantially against the rear flares (stock yj flares) and once I trimmed the plastic flares back, was still rubbing against the body ... I trimmed the back side of the flare back about 1", and it only rubs a tiny little bit on extreme flexing now ... I will eventually go to tj rear flares and cut them out, but this was the cheap way out for now.

 

[Rubi04TJ]

if i want to clear 35's i need to get 2 more inches everyone is saying.....

so do i add shackle and BL or just 2" BL??

Well the lift is the easy part... the rest gets a little more involved and $$$. Do you use this as a daily driver? you may want to do gears on the vehicle for 35s. Do you plan on wheeling it? You may want to look at upgrading the axles/axle shafts. This is also true with 33s, but not so much. Careful of what you do, becuase there may be more hidden expenses if you don't do your research.


For example, I have Rubicon that is pretty much just a trail rig right now. I currently have 33 inch MTRs with Dana 44s Front and Rear, geared with 4.10s. These gears give me 10 miles to the gallon approx, and are a little doggish compared to the stock tires. Even though i have Dana 44s, the chances of destorying a axle with 35s is very great, I would love to do 35s, and can clear 36/37s if i wanted, but i would have to spend about a grand upgranding the axle shafts. I am not in the position to do that right now, so 33s get me by for now.

 

[JeepinMaxx]

This post has two different questions -
I believe Graves14 is looking for a shackle lift for a daily driver
I think ghiradelli777 is looking to combine a shackle lift to add to a 4" suspension lift to clear 35's

I agree with Rubi04TJ.  if the rig is a daily driver - there needs to be some consideration for realistic tire/gears size. 

To be realistic - a 4.0L/AX15/33's  4.10 gears for mostly highway, and some trails  would be OK for a DD with a 4" suspension lift and 1.5" shackles (or 1" body lift)   

If you don't use it for a daily commute and just around town and trails - 4.0L/AX15/33's with 4.56 gears are great.  If you plan on 35's in this situation, 4.88's would be the gearing I would choose, however I wouldn't recommend it with the stock D35... 

If you have a 4.2L/AX15/31's you can get away with stock gears and a shackle/ or body lift

Whenever a 4.2L is involved  - I vote for upgrading to one gear size lower to make up for the lower power of the 4.2 vs 4.0HP

 

[ghiradelli777]

your assumption is correct...

i may do a 1" BL at a wrench fest...but just do 33's for now.....

thanks anyways