Topic: replace shackles with new lift kit or not ???

[alandchris]

getting ready to put the lift kit on in a week or two - the stock shackles are not bad - but would you recommend changing them while there 1/2 apart anyway ?  I'll only do casual trails (not heavy rock crawling)

it's a fabtech 4 inch lift -

if replacement - what would you think - stock height shackle / 1/2 inch higher - don't want any caster/camber issues - and what brand would you prefer
thx

[oldjeep]

If the new springs are military wrap like most good lift springs, you'll need to use longer shackles.  The stock shackles don't work with a miltary wrap spring.  I think mine are 5/8" lift (1.25" longer than stock)

[chardrc]

have to have them what... i have a bds 2.5 inch lift that says it has military raps and i still used my stocker shackles.. although i would like to get different ones that don't look so weak.

[oldjeep]

have to have them what... i have a bds 2.5 inch lift that says it has military raps and i still used my stocker shackles.. although i would like to get different ones that don't look so weak.

How much clearance do you have between the spring and the frame?  I'm suprised that the spring eye doesn't hit the frame on full compression.

[lanulos89]

yea my kit has military wrap and i always hit my frame, and after front axle is in next project is some bommerang shackles

[chardrc]

have to have them what... i have a bds 2.5 inch lift that says it has military raps and i still used my stocker shackles.. although i would like to get different ones that don't look so weak.

How much clearance do you have between the spring and the frame?  I'm suprised that the spring eye doesn't hit the frame on full compression.

ow now i see the problem.. i haven't pushed it hard enough... i guess ill have to invest in a set of these

[j-freak153]

yes...nuff said

[YJmechanic]

i have bds military and need the shackles too. i use just a set from qtec don't know if they were a specific brand or just hd shackle listing but they are plenty beefy.  i would just warn you against tera revolvers because most people hate them and they are expensive.

[chrisfranklin]

Suspension lifts are cool.  But you really have to hunt around for a hard trail to need one + big tires. 

There's probably 60-70 OHV trails in So Cal and only maybe the hardest 7 or 8 of them really have the rocks/terrain that call for a lift and larger tires (33-37") for clearance sake.   And with half of those, you are winching yourself up the whole time and would probably need an additional 5-$10,000 buildup - 4:1, new rear-end, etc

With everything else here, though, you are good with no lift, 29-31" tires and maybe a locker and a couple of suspension mods (no track bars, sway discos), as long as you have a little armor.    The Wranglers are extremely capable stock with just a few cheaper mods for better OHV trail negotiation.

If you really need a lift for off-road use, then you probably need a heck of a lot more than just the lift, unless its all just for show.