shackles vs. springs

[Ctrow]

So heres the deal..... I need 6.5" of lift in the rear of my xj. I would like to go shackles or springs, no blocks. I have heard of people using 2" Chevy lowering shackles to lift their xjs. They are $50 a pair and would make for an easy fix. However, i have also heard they cause alot of stress on your springs. On the other hand we have 6.5" lift springs. Problems here are trying to find some one who makes them and not have a supper stiff rear suspension. throw in your 2 cents. Thanks

[TheGr8Doughboy]

I would say shackles to a point. Too much arch on the springs to get that high seems like it would yeild a really rough ride...


How about lift blocks on the axles? You should be able to get wood pretty cheap as a contractor right?

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Well, we've already talked about it, but I'll throw it up here for more input.

IMO, springs and shackles need to be evenly matched. Flat springs don't need as long a shackle. The more arch you introduce the longer the shackle should be. A higher arch springs' eyes will travel more for a given inch of travel than say flat leaves.

[BadnewsCJ]

give alcan or deaver a call just for shits and giggles to see what kind of spring they could make for your application. more than likely mucho $$$$ but its worth a call at least.

[Andrew]

What do you need 6.5 inches of lift for?

Why not a body lift?

[shmoken875]

I gots 1.5" lift shackles and 4.5" springs, works out pretty well, and rides fine in the rear. I'd stay away from the chevy shackles; for lack of a better explanation they were made for tension, not compression. I saw a pic of one a few years back that folded into a z when used like this

[hklvette]

Sawzall?

[shmoken875]

I gots 1.5" lift shackles and 4.5" springs, works out pretty well, and rides fine in the rear. I'd stay away from the chevy shackles; for lack of a better explanation they were made for tension, not compression. I saw a pic of one a few years back that folded into a z when used like this

I just remembed that the dude had a piss poor shackle angle in the pic, so that comes into play, you might be fine then.

[Arya Ebrahimi]

I ran the drop shackles on my XJ and they were fine, but I seem to recall thinking the seemed a bit on the thin side.

Caleb, if you go that route we can always "beef them up" a bit

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Actually, on that note. If you have a set of stock shackles to donate to the cause(for the bushing assembly) we can probably fab you up some shackles fairly easily. Might be quicker to buy them though