SHACKLES ON LIFT???????

[mgiuliano]

In a YJ with a 4" RE lift how much shackle would be to much shackle? I have seen everything from 3/4" to 2" and i am not sure?

[Joe Dillard]

I'm not crazy about anything more than ~1/2" of shackle lift no matter what suspension it's combined with.

[Richharr]

I'm not crazy about anything more than ~1/2" of shackle lift no matter what suspension it's combined with.

x2, this will be what everyone says, my jeep came with lift shackles and the best money I ever put into it was stock length shackles, the ride went from horrible to cadilla...well, better.

[Alabamaranger]

I hate shackles. I had a 73 CJ5 that had lift shackles. I had to get degree shims to get the caster back to normal (adding shackles messes up your caster). It was all over the road until I added the shims. Plus the shackles would be the first to hit rocks, dirt etc when you are trying to climb over them. I would say DON'T DO IT. Go with a normal spring lift. I would go with a 1-1/2 lift the so most so most of your drive train will be ok.

[Richharr]

with 2" lift shackles. I had the new kit and shackles ordered anyway

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc202/richharr21/IMGP2227.jpg

[jtw2]

really kinda depends on whether you plan on driving it on the road still or make it a trailer rig. It's a really cheap way to gain clearance at the cost of ride and usually camber issues so it gets kinda squirrelly at speed.

I think mine are 1 3/4" shackles and I'm happy with them as my eventual plan is coil overs.

[Bryndon]

In a very simplified form - If you look at the function of a shackle, it is to allow the spring eyes to move apart as it cycles through its arch. Based on that, the correct shackle length would allow the spring to go from the shortest length (fully relaxed) to its longest length (flat). Anything beyond that function increase the stress on the spring, exponentially.

Using shackles as a cheap lift is VERY dangerous. They create a lot of uncontrollable movements in the suspension. That's why longer shackles are braced with a bar welded between them - which in turn reduces the springs ability to articulate.

I've seen too many failures that can be directly related to long shackles, not worth the hassle.

[mgiuliano]

OK then i have heard about using tj flares on a yj for more clearance???? any info on this. I am not a big body lift fan and am looking at other options.

[Richharr]

OK then i have heard about using tj flares on a yj for more clearance???? any info on this. I am not a big body lift fan and am looking at other options.

:thup2: just mount em, maybe trim some metal and your good.

[jtw2]

yup, I have TJ flares on the back but just putting them on w/o trimming off the sheet metal won't do any good.

[vsheetz]

RE 5" shackles or similar is the biggest I would go - gives a 1/2" over stock.

Nothing wrong with doing a JKs 1.25 body lift.

[vateamyj]

Get some Bommerrang Shackles. they will help prevent the kick back that breaks springs. THey also allow the spring to move more than stock shackles.