YJ Shackle Lift

[fkassim]

Just got a 1992 YJ and would like to know the pros and cons of installing longer shackles. I hear they make the ride less bumpy...softer in a way. Is it true. Any major problems with changing the original shackles to longer ones. And whats the maximum recommended length to go for 2", 1 1/2 " ???? Thanks

[Ray H]

Just got a 1992 YJ and would like to know the pros and cons of installing longer shackles. I hear they make the ride less bumpy...softer in a way. Is it true. Any major problems with changing the original shackles to longer ones. And whats the maximum recommended length to go for 2", 1 1/2 " ???? Thanks

Good things about extended shackles: Longer shackles may make it ride better but probably not noticably and they generally increase flex, especially when used with longer arched lift springs.
Bad things about longer shackles: They change your caster and make it drive "twitchy". It will have less tendancy to drive straight when you let go of the wheel. The next bad thing is they use up more ground clearance than they give lift. For instance, 2" long shackles only give 1" lift. The last effect they have is changing the pinion angle. This could be good or bad though.
With shorter extended shackles (less than 1.5" longer than stock) you wont see much difference in anything. If you go longer you will start seeing some of the effects. Keep in mind that if you want 2" of lift, you need a 4" longer shackle. Thats a pretty long shackle and you're likely to have issues so shackles by themselves are not the best lift solution.

[Janster]

Shackle lifts are decent....cheap...and very easy to put on once you get your old stuff off. Getting your old stuff off...well..... that's a different story.

Shackles can make the ride smoother - however - removing your old bushings & shackles and putting in new stuff makes the ride smoother.

I'd highly recommend getting a greasable setup - the bolts will have a grease zerk on them. Greasing the shackles will keep them lubricated and running smoothly (and much easier to remove in the future).

Length? Most common lengths are under 1" lift. You have to be careful not to go too long..... Longer shackles in the front changes your caster a bit and can affect drivability. The longer the shackles, the more you'll experience bump steer (as you drive over a bump, the jeep can dart to one direction or the other).

Personally - I wouldn't go over 1" lift shackles. I'm currently running 5/8" lift.

[PhillyB]

I'd highly recommend getting a greasable setup - the bolts will have a grease zerk on them. Greasing the shackles will keep them lubricated and running smoothly (and much easier to remove in the future).

Greasable is the way to go, they make a huge difference versus standard shackles. AS for the height, try to follow what Janster suggested, l had 2" lift shackles on the Jeep when l started this whole thing, so l didnt know any different, but the steering was really shaky at times on the freeway. l am now running boomerangs with greable bolts and it is a good setup.

But be warned... a little lift like this, or so in my case, only starts the fire that leads to wanting the Jeep to be bigger and bigger and BIGGER.... you get the point! :rotflmao: Good luck with the Jeep.

[BlackYJ]

I am currently running 1" lift shackles on my YJ and I have not no adverse affects. The reason I installed them was because I did not want to replace my suspension to clear some bigger tires. For $100 I had 1" lift. Now that I have the money to replace my suspension I would like to get rid of them or I might go with a small lift shackles (~.5"). The main reason is because they take A LOT away from ground clearance.

[Jeep Freak]

since this wasn't really mentioned yet, longer shackles with decrease your approach angle. if you plan to do any rock crawling, you'll have a higher chance of snagging a shackle or getting hung up on one. i'd save the money and get a real lift later. going up 1" won't get you much in the way of clearance for larger tires anyway. (you'll be able to run 31's as opposed to 30's if your Jeep is stock now)

[Ray H]

I am currently running 1" lift shackles on my YJ and I have not no adverse affects.

I think they adversely effected your grammer.:devdude:
Just messin with ya on the double negitive. :welcome: :-)

[fkassim]

Thanks for the feedback guys...I think I go with the 1" lift shackles and add-a-leaf and see how that works.

[ssyj94]

I have 1.25" boomerangs in the back of mine and a reversel and slightly longer shackles in front. I've noticed the bigger you go the crapper they ride makes the angle more vertical and doesnt let the suspension compress as well. Anything over 1" or so in the front is just a snowplow you loose alot of apporoach angle. Greasable helps but my fittings always get screwed up and none of them work anymore ha. Add a leafs are gonna make it ride like ****... Why not put 1"BL and tj flares on?? just my 2 cents