I know, AAL's suck, help me out with my Skyjacker 3" AAL

[Pro Stock John]

Thanks Richard, that's great to know. One more question I promise... So when I look at shackles, what is the stock size compared to the stuff I see out there? I'd really like a true .75 or 1.0 increase.

 

[Crawler]

One way to "wing-it" would be to measure your stock shackle from the center of one bolt hole to the center of the other bolt hole, then meaure from the same point-to-point on any aftermarket shackle you might consider using. Record the difference in lengths, then divide by two. This will be your approximate lift.

 

[Rust Heap]

I got these adjustable shackles from ebay. I offered $40 for them. Shipping was fair and it is a real company.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/84-01-Jeep-Cherokee-XJ-Rear-2-Lift-Shackle-Kit_W0QQitemZ140091904589QQihZ004QQcategoryZ33585QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm not far from 355 (west burbs) if you need a hand (I could tell you were from chicagoland by the pic) party1:

 

[Pro Stock John]

Cool link I will check it out. I might take you up on that, what lift do you have?

 

[Rust Heap]

I've got a junkyard lift of about 3.5"I found lift springs in the yard (already sagged but net 1.5"), 2" spacers up front. I built a bastard pack out of another set of XJ leafs and added the lift shackles set at only 1.5". The nice thing is that you have .5" left to right to play with (set one side at 2" and one side at 1.5") to compensate for leaning. Rims and tires were an eBay item. I'm pretty happy with it.


Shameless photo posting

Shoot me a pm and we can work something out.

 

[Pro Stock John]

Okay, I will order the adjustable shackles. I measures and from hub to flare I got 21 inches in front, and 19.5 in back.

 

[Goatman]

i don't see how a 5" shackle only gives 1.5" of lift though, it looks like it'd be more like 2.5-3" but i guess if you factor in that it's supposed to sit at an angle...

You're only raising one end of the spring, so the overall lift is half of the longer length of the shackle.

 

[bcsavage]

makes sense.

 

[XbajajeepX]

dont mean to highjack the thread but, rustys sells .75" shackles...this length of shackle will NOT cause premature sag, correct?

 

[Pro Stock John]

Well if a .75 gives me an additional .32, that's not worth it.

I see you posting about springs... FWIW, don't bother with AAL stuff... Just get new spring packs.

 

[bcsavage]

Well if a .75 gives me an additional .32, that's not worth it.

I see you posting about springs... FWIW, don't bother with AAL stuff... Just get new spring packs.

nice logic, except shackles aren't just for lift, they help with articulation as well.

 

[XbajajeepX]

the .75" shackle gives you .75" of lift no .32"..........

 

[Pro Stock John]

Thanks Rust Heap, he had another auction so I bought a set. I'll pm you to ask how hard it is to swap them.

 

[steelmen]

Pro Stock John

get TnT's boomerang shackle...i got the 1.5" and im loving it, it made my jeep ride soo much smoother and flexes a hell lot better

i got em at jeepinoutfitters....i paid 85 shipped to my door

you cant beat that price plus there beefy as hell!!!

edit: heres where i got em -> http://www.jeepinoutfitters.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=557

 

[RandyD71]

If your truck is a few years old and has a few miles on AAL lift may be fine. On an older rig with miles on it a new leaf pack is the way to go. Your stock pack probably has settled/sagged over time. I know mine did. I installed a BDS 3" lift on my truck and got over 4" of lift out of it because of how tired my springs were. My truck does not have the typical Suburban ass down look to it. I know that Rancho, Skyjacker, & BDS all make leaf packs. There may be others by now as I did my lift a couple of years ago.

 

[Pro Stock John]

The phone guy at Skyjacker said that 2.5 was normal for the 3" kit.... seems weird but oh well.

I definitely have to raise mine an inch in back so I can sleep at nite. :jester:

 

[Pro Stock John]

I got these adjustable shackles from ebay. I offered $40 for them. Shipping was fair and it is a real company.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/84-01-Jeep-Cherokee-XJ-Rear-2-Lift-Shackle-Kit_W0QQitemZ140091904589QQihZ004QQcategoryZ33585QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm not far from 355 (west burbs) if you need a hand (I could tell you were from chicagoland by the pic) party1:

Got them last week, that's actually Rough Country selling their own stuff on there, good service. I can't wait to get the rear up a bit more, then try some wheeling.

 

[Rust Heap]

Sweet, like I said, let me know if you want a hand with them. They aren't really hard to do.

I'm just front recovery gear away from wheeling.

 

[Pro Stock John]

Man I go travelling for a week for work the XJ looks even lower in back now.

I need to do something soon. Also, what recovery stuff have you done so far? I got hooks for the front but might instead do a front receiver hitch. I have no hitch for the back either. I'm getting the vibe that I should get a winch otherwise I'm just hoping that other folks will help me out... What do you think? Also do you know where to get those leaf clampls, I don't have those in back.

 

[Rust Heap]

I got the steel to build front shackle mounts but am going to probably build a bumper up front. (steal someones design from here probably) lol

A winch is just too much $$ for me right now (little girl on the way) and I don't plan on wheeling alone so its not really an option for me at this point.

The junkyards around here are full of XJ's with reciever hitches in the rear so that would be my pick.

The spring clamps can be had at most spring shops, when I built my leaf pack I went to Service Spring in Northlake on Lake st.