Topic: Lift shackles? What's the most lift I should use to be road "safe".

[Jeeper736]

I know its a relative term, but how much lift can I go with from a shackle before it becomes "unsafe" or causes serious handling issue onroad?  I only want to take my YJ up about 2 inches but I have heard I shouldn't do more than a 1" shackle.  True?  If so, would I be better to try the Black Diamond add a leaf 2.5" kit? 

I have 30" MT/R's now, and the 2.5 is already struggling with those behind my anemic auto trans, so I don't want to go bigger at this point.  I don't want a lift that will look "goofy" with that size tire. I do alot of highway driving so top end is important.

Another question, has anyone upgraded the cam in their 2.5?  Improvement?  Where can I source a cam at this point, from what I understand MP stopped making them. 

Thanks guys and gals!

[Jeffy]

Yes, you will almost alway be better off goign with a proper suspension lift then just shackles.  If you want a little more room for your 30's then I would suggest getting a 1/2" shackle lift and some TJ flares with some liberal cutting.  Otherwise you could replace the TJ flares with a 1" body lift.  Really though, you should be fine with the stock suspension and 30's.  As for cams, there is another thread already on that.

[Jeeper736]

Thanks for the info!  I have been told to steer clear of body lifts altogether but I have been told 1" is the most you should really do.  Is it hard to do the body lift?  I have done a suspension lift on my Cherokee but never a body lift.  Basically I am looking to get a bit higher ride height more than anything.  The Wrangler just sits to low since I am used to a lifted Cherokee.

Oh and if you could point me to the camshaft thread, that would be great.  Thanks again!

[Jeffy]

Well, if you went with the TJ flares and trimming you'd get a bit more clearance.  It does nothing for lifting it though.  I'd probably go with some Dogleg shackles which lift 3/8" I think.  (not much) it will help with the rear suspension since the shackle usually hits the rear cross member before it is fully extended, limiting travel.  I'd probably consider swaybar disconnects, and relocating the front brakelines for more length. (free).  Then consider removing the rear track bar.  it will make a day/night difference in the ride.  You could also probably disconnect the front too, but it does have some side effects. (steering will seem to have a bit more play since the suspension is allowed to move.)

Here's the problem with lift shackles.  If your leafs are stock, the shackles will probably accelerate wear.  Taller the shackle the more lift but at a cost.  Shackles lift only one end which will change the pinion angle as well as the front end caster.  Caster is anywhere from 4-8 degrees and adding taller shackles will reduce that.  This can causes the wheels to wander a bit.  It's best to stay under 1.5" lift and really 1.25" is considered max.  1.25" means that the shackle is 2.5" taller then the stock shackle (4").

As for body lifts, I run a 1.25" JKS body lift.  it was fairly easy to install BUT if you live in the rust belt, it might make it more difficult.  The bolts get eaten by rust.  It's always a good idea to check the body bolts though.  When I moreved mine, I found that most had around 1/8-1/4" eaten away from the bolt.    There is a square nut that's captured inside the body of the Jeep.  You can't get to the nut.  It's held in place by some tabs.  Sometimes these tabs break off and the nut will just spin.  This makes a easy project into a hard project since you have to get the old bolts out without breaking anything.  Basically you loosen all the bolts but only remove one side.  Then you use a 2x4 on a floor jack or a hi-lift to prop up one side enough to get the bodylift in.  Usually teh whole body will shift a bit but should recenter itself once you get both sides in.  If nothing goes wrong, it should take 30min to 1 hr.

This is the most recent discussion on cams. http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php?topic=2989.0  If you have further questions on cams, either ask them there or start your own thread.

[Jeeper736]

Yep I am in WI, so I know all about rusty bolts, and bodies, and underbodies....you get the picture:)  Thanks again for all the info, I will have to make some decisions.  Bottom line is I dont plan to keep this Jeep forever (but I have said that about other Jeeps I still own...) so I don't want to go hog wild or spend rotsa $$$.  I was looking at that Black Diamond 2.5 add a leaf kit.  It's less than $300 and comes with shocks (but no U-bolts-dumb).  I don't know much about the company but it seemed like a decent way to get the inches I want without a ton of output from the wallet.  Thoughts? 

[Jeffy]

Yep I am in WI, so I know all about rusty bolts, and bodies, and underbodies....you get the picture:)  Thanks again for all the info, I will have to make some decisions.  Bottom line is I dont plan to keep this Jeep forever (but I have said that about other Jeeps I still own...) so I don't want to go hog wild or spend rotsa $$$.  I was looking at that Black Diamond 2.5 add a leaf kit.  It's less than $300 and comes with shocks (but no U-bolts-dumb).  I don't know much about the company but it seemed like a decent way to get the inches I want without a ton of output from the wallet.  Thoughts? 

AAL's will stiffen the ride. If they are short leafs they will really stiffen the ride.  if you want to save some cash, then I suggest going with the short shackles and other things I mentioned.  This will not give you the look but it will perform better on the trails.

Black Diamond used to be known as Tough Country I believe.  Maybe it was Heckthorn.  In any case Warn bought the struggling suspension company and turned it around.  They ended up selling it to the parent company of Superlift after they decided they had spread themselves a bit thin.  Really though, I'd stay away from AAL's.