cutting out rear shackle "box" so the shackle can move more?

hpi_jeep

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Mid-Missouri
my flex is limited due to the shackle hitting the back part (of what i call the shackle box). has anyone made any changes to this? i was thinking of just notching it out and then welding some thicker flat steel above the notch.

just throwing some ideas around, anyone done this?

if it matters im running mj shackles and alcan 8" springs.
 
I think the ORGS boomerang will be the way I go when I get new leafs, but Brent Orton did something along what you're talking about. He took a piece of steel and covered up the stock hanger, then welded a YJ hanger to the bottom of that. He now runs a YJ boomerang shackle with stock XJ leaves with a CJ AAL mixed in. This is on the "Hero" comp. rig, but it's pretty much the same thing he's running on his white chop-top, only with reversed XJ leaves for added wheel base.
 
I've got the same problem with my 8" Alcan leafs and Skyjacker shackles.
I've "notched" quite a bit of metal out of the rear of the shackle to keep it from bottoming out and then welded in a cross support to the shackle. It still bottoms though due to the very long Alcan spring.
I really doubt any non-custom shackle that I've seen will let the 8" Alcan flatten out during spring compression. I'm looking into having a bigger "boomerang" shackle built that will work with the Alcans but I think the main problem is the rear of the shackle box like you've already stated.
HPI, if I successfully get my springs/shackles/boxes to work right I'll let you know and keep me posted on your progress too. :D
 
is it a bad idea to use this as a "bumpstop"? i want to cut enough to stuff some 37's and i figured if it wasnt hard on the springs i would just use this as a limiting factor.

if it helps any i just took off some chevy lowering shackles that were like 4" longer then stock... (im not sure if that was the exact measurement though) the mj shackles were shaped different to allow for more stuff, even considering the spring is closer to the xj now.

if im not making any sense just ask and i'll try to clarify.



jeepzz what shocks are you running? that's what i need to order this week and i have no idea what kind i want. i was thinking rancho 5000s. i had rancho9000 and i usually left them on "3"-"4" setting. i heard this is about what the 5000's were equal to.
 
Weld a plate over the shackle box and make a new hanger off that, with shorter shackles.
 
hpi_jeep said:
i was thinking rancho 5000s. i had rancho9000 and i usually left them on "3"-"4" setting. i heard this is about what the 5000's were equal to.

I wouldn't give RS5000's to my worst enemy.............worst shock I've ever owned. There are much better choices out there, like Doetch Tech or Skyjacker Hydro's.
Better yet, Bilstien 5100 remote res. units:D
 
Here is another option...

shacklemount.jpg
 
XJEEPER said:
I wouldn't give RS5000's to my worst enemy.............worst shock I've ever owned. There are much better choices out there, like Doetch Tech or Skyjacker Hydro's.
Better yet, Bilstien 5100 remote res. units:D

Ditto, 5000s are horrible.
 
SeanP said:
Who??!!!??

Seems like I used to know a guy with that name, but he fell off the face of the earth. ;)

sup, Jason!

SeanP

LOL, whats up P! Hows your rig comming?; I haven't seen any updates lately...
 
hpi_jeep said:
is it a bad idea to use this as a "bumpstop"? i want to cut enough to stuff some 37's and i figured if it wasnt hard on the springs i would just use this as a limiting factor.
I would get some sort of an actual bumpstops. Anythng is better than the shackle hammering on the thin metal of the shackle box.

hpi_jeep said:

jeepzz what shocks are you running? that's what i need to order this week and i have no idea what kind i want.
I've got Skyjacker shocks. The ones that came with my kit were too short. The front shocks were the perfect length for the rear with my relocated shock axle mounts. We cut the "pin" off the top of the shocks and welded an "eye" mount to it. My new front SJ shocks were oringinally listed for a Ford fullsize truck and were the correct length I needed.
My original 8" rear SJ shocks are now on the back of my 6" lifted 87 XJ. :confused: :D
 
i just looked again today and noticed the shackle is hitting the front of the "box" too. i took pictures but im sure you all know what a shackle hitting a peice of metal looks like.

i would do something similar to dazz but that would increase my lift even more, and im trying to keep that as low as possible... (i should have ordered 6" springs instead, but that's another story).


what do you guys think of something like this?
from pirate...
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=181142&highlight=slider+shackle


attachment.php
 
i would love to do what you guys did, but my springs are already a little to big for me. if i get ahold of some 6" springs i will do this...


great idea.
 
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