Rear Shackles

snwy_mnt_jeep

NAXJA Forum User
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ok, so put the jeep on a rock.....only thing to test the flex on....and as I suspected the rear tires are still rubbing, they are off the frame now and are rubbing my fender flares, extremely little articulation back there, it was suggested to me to put the teraflex 1.5" lift shackles on it, since I am sitting level right now. Any suggestions??? The Greasable shackles are about 70.00, which I can probably scrape up.. def. on a budget though.
 
ok, so put the jeep on a rock.....only thing to test the flex on....and as I suspected the rear tires are still rubbing, they are off the frame now and are rubbing my fender flares, extremely little articulation back there, it was suggested to me to put the teraflex 1.5" lift shackles on it, since I am sitting level right now. Any suggestions??? The Greasable shackles are about 70.00, which I can probably scrape up.. def. on a budget though.

I run those and like them, cheaper than RE's & TNT's although they are not boomerang style. I still like them, Raised my heep in the rear enough to offset the gear I carry when I go to the mountains.
 
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nope, got under it today, and relized what I have been praying was not true, WAS True.... I got hosed, dude lied when he sold me my XJ, it's not even close to a 4.5" rubicon express under there, didn't look right, and with the trimming 33"s should have cleared fine, as far as the rear goes, he may have 2" of lift in the back, so there is no way 33" tires are going to roll, I am going to have to put some money's into it, and I was really hoping that I was going to be ready to roll on Sat..not going to happen now, I don't know if I would make it useing the bypasses. Oh well, that is what I get for buyin a 2000.00 jeep when I am not home to look at it.
 
nope, got under it today, and relized what I have been praying was not true, WAS True.... I got hosed, dude lied when he sold me my XJ, it's not even close to a 4.5" rubicon express under there, didn't look right, and with the trimming 33"s should have cleared fine, as far as the rear goes, he may have 2" of lift in the back, so there is no way 33" tires are going to roll, I am going to have to put some money's into it, and I was really hoping that I was going to be ready to roll on Sat..not going to happen now, I don't know if I would make it useing the bypasses. Oh well, that is what I get for buyin a 2000.00 jeep when I am not home to look at it.


Even with 4.5 lift sticking 33" require lots-o-trimming and bumpstops to stop from rubbing.

Just in reference I am running 31"s and, in the rear I have 3.5" full leafs and 1.5 tera shackles for 5" lift and I still rub with minor trimming.

You can see exactly how much lift you have by getting measurements off of the rear frame to the axle, some where in the searching thingy someone listed the factory stock heights.
 
Shackles, while providing a small amount of lift, will most likely cause just as much if not more rubbing - longer shackles allow for more flex of the spring and therefore, the tire will travel up easier and farther.

You need to drop your bumpstops if you're not willing to trim and re-locate your flares - especially if you add longer shackles.

What I did with my 8" lift was to take two 6" sections of 1"x1" square tube stacked and drilled holes through the both of them in the same location as the bolts that hold the stock bump stop. Got longer grade 8 bolts and then put the square tube spacers between the frame and the bump stop. THEN, I used an extra pair of spring plates (the square plate that pinches the axle to the leaf pack held by the u-bolts) and put that under the nuts of the inner u-bolt so that it would act as a raised platform for the bump stop to contact.

I've probably got a pic of the setup somewhere........


But in your pic it looks like you're running the 33's right?

xj2.jpg


So you're just saying that they're hitting the rear wheel wells/flares when flexed up and probably the front fenders behind the tires right? Welcome to the club! So does everyone elses. Without constructing bumpstops to limit travel upward to keep the tires from hitting the factory sheetmetal, ALL lift kits are gonna do that unless the tires are kept small enough.

Realistically - you probably just need to spend a Saturday with a grinder, sawzall and hammer and beat that XJ into submission! :D
 
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Realistically - you probably just need to spend a Saturday with a grinder, sawzall and hammer and beat that XJ into submission! :D


you're right, well, i disconnected the front and put it on the same as before and i am not rubbing, I am coming up sat. will have some of you who know a lot more about the XJ have a look, see what you think.
 
you're right, well, i disconnected the front and put it on the same as before and i am not rubbing, I am coming up sat. will have some of you who know a lot more about the XJ have a look, see what you think.

It also looks like your front axle is just a bit too far back - generally caused by too much lift, and lower control arms that aren't long enough. Drop brackets would improve every issue you're having. They give a great ride, put the geometry close to normal and makes it easier to align and keeps the axle flexing down, not down and back into the lower part of the fender.

Got pics of your current lift components?
 
Looking at your Jeep it looks like it has good amount of lift. You rubbing on the back side of the rear right, the lower quarter panel guard? That is where I am still rubbing. Going to add some metal and flatten it out after I cut slits and hammer the sheet metal over. Give me another 1/2 to 3/4 of movement back there. With out seeing pics of your suspension components can't tell what you have but what Yella said was very true. Some of the local supporting vendors can get you some of those drop brackets.......yep mo money, Just Empty Every Pocket :spin1:
 
yup, agree that most everything said here could fit my Jeep, I do not rub at all in the front anymore, the 1.5" backspace I got from the new wheels took care of that, was rubbing the control arms....thought it would take care of the rear as well, as it was rubbing on the frame, no longer rubs the frame, and a 33" tire just doesn't fit in my wheel well, probably a lot of additional work and money going to go into it, but not this year, gonna save up and build up this winter:D It'll get there, I just have to learn patience.. Thanks everyone for the input.

100_0248.jpg



100_0246.jpg
 
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yup, agree that most everything said here could fit my Jeep, I do not rub at all in the front anymore, the 1.5" backspace I got from the new wheels took care of that, was rubbing the control arms....thought it would take care of the rear as well, as it was rubbing on the frame, no longer rubs the frame, and a 33" tire just doesn't fit in my wheel well, probably a lot of additional work and money going to go into it, but not this year, gonna save up and build up this winter:D It'll get there, I just have to learn patience.. Thanks everyone for the input.


..........need some rocker protection :D


Your heep looks good!
 
yes I do, but it will come with time and $$ :D i like the XJ though, I had a TJ and didn't think I would like the convert to the longer wheel base, but I am loving it so far.


I had a CJ and when my boy was on his way and I just couldn't foresee to have him along in the CJ, with the wife and gear. I sold it to a buddy in Moab who always wanted it and got a good deal on my current XJ, as I had one previously and loved it! I am happy, but the one thing I truly miss is the open air driving. Easily take off doors and the removable top............. ah well I will add a sunroof then deal with all the awesomeness the XJ is without the open air driving......



Originally Posted by Skully
..........need some rocker protection :D


Your heep looks good!


Wow what a suprise suggestion from Skully! Ha ha
..... I'm I that predictable?

I am a preacher of rocker protection, that is the first upgrade to the XJ when I got it. I have seen too many people pass that as one of their first upgrades, then get upset when their rockers get all mangled............ :D



.....that and according to Yella I gab too much........... :shhh:
 
Bad Skully = :yap:

Good Skully = :gag:


:D
 
.........Fooker! :cheers:



Just for that I am going to call you at all hours and ask you stupid questions:callme:

And when I wake up later in the afternoon, I'll be sure to check to see how many "missed calls" you logged up that I didn't hear..... the "silence" feature is a beautiful thing.

:D
 
yup, agree that most everything said here could fit my Jeep, I do not rub at all in the front anymore, the 1.5" backspace I got from the new wheels took care of that, was rubbing the control arms....thought it would take care of the rear as well, as it was rubbing on the frame, no longer rubs the frame, and a 33" tire just doesn't fit in my wheel well, probably a lot of additional work and money going to go into it, but not this year, gonna save up and build up this winter:D It'll get there, I just have to learn patience.. Thanks everyone for the input.

100_0248.jpg



100_0246.jpg

Nice lookin rig!!
 
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