Topic: budget lift

[Quyjeeper]

Just intrested to know who thinks packing in an extra spring and lift shackles are really worth spedning 150 bucks for?

[lanulos89]

its cheap and deffinatly acheives lfit, but its not as effective as lift springs are.  but on a tight budget it does get the job done.  it also depends on how big of lift shackles we are talking about.  how much lift you hope to acheieve

[jagular7]

Just intrested to know who thinks packing in an extra spring and lift shackles are really worth spedning 150 bucks for?

When adding an extra leaf, you have to consider the spring rate, spring thickness, length and width. Lift shackles provide lift 1/2 the difference from stock. You may also have to shim the axle to get proper caster once installing the lift shackles. The extra leaf may hinder the performance from the stock leafs. Take it to the extreme. Extra leaf is 1/2" thick, same width and fits as second spring. Is the suspension going to cycle better? Or hinder on the stiffness?

[Bounty Hunter]

For an add-a-leaf (AAL) I usually pick up an extra pair of front spring packs, and cut the eyes of the main leaves.  I then use the top two leaves from each front pack for my 4 AAL's.  I've done it on two YJ's and gained 1.5" of lift without making the ride more harsh.  No other mods needed.

Lately I've been cutting the spring eyes off about 1/2" after they start wrapping around the eye.  The AAL then conforms nicely to the main leaf and gives a little extra support where the main leaf is prone to bending just before the spring eye.

[neale_rs]

I like the idea.  Is this 1.5" over the ride height with old springs or over new YJ height? Also, when you say you get an extra pair, does this mean you buy 6 new leaf spring packs (2 rear and 4 front)?

[chardrc]

the 2.5" should be over stock ride height.. so with a yj like mine.. i put a 2.5" lift on my 1990 yj it lifted the jeep  4 inches above where it was sitting with the old leafs.

[Bounty Hunter]

I like the idea.  Is this 1.5" over the ride height with old springs or over new YJ height? Also, when you say you get an extra pair, does this mean you buy 6 new leaf spring packs (2 rear and 4 front)?

It's been 1.5" over the height before adding the extra leaf.

I mean get an extra pair of front springs, 2 spring packs total.

[neale_rs]

Thanks, so it sounds like it is 1.5 over the current ride height, maybe a bit over new stock height for half the cost of buying all new stock springs.  It is a good idea when on a budget, I may go with this for a while.

[Bounty Hunter]

The springs I added the AAL to were in decent shape, probably not much sagging over new.

Consider adding TJ flares for more tire clearance as well, I was running 33" tires with the 1.5" AAL, TJ flares, and a 1" BL.

[neale_rs]

Sounds better all the time!  Thanks for the ideas.