VermontXJ802

I have searched quite a bit and came up with some good info but havent decided which route i should go. I have a 1997 xj with RC 4.5' add a leafs with the shackles that RC claims gets you up to 2". My rear leafs are flat and you can see the rear saggin a bit. The options im contemplating are buying a 4.5" new leaf pack and leaving out the shackles, or buying a 2.5"-3" pack and using the shackles. I dont know if there would be much differnce with the two. Any ideas?

PurpleToxin505

Get the 3'' pack and shackle relocation brackets, you'll be able to get a better shackle angle, which will ride nicer and flex better

VermontXJ802

What brand? And what is the real purpose of the relocation brackets? (the kit came with adjustable shackles but no relocation brackets)

Potatowalker

I have RE 3.5" lift springs and they are awesome, but I stuck with OEM shackles and now I wish I had gone with 2.5" lift springs and longer shackles. My ride is a bit stiff in the rear. If I were in your shoes I'd get shackle relocation brackets, adjustable shackles and either 2.5 or 3.5" lift springs. This would give you the best ride quality as well as complete adjustability for both ride height and shackle angle. If you don't consider shackle angle & length, you may end up where I am - looking at adding another inch to get better shackle angle and axle articulation without having to get new springs again. 4.5" leaf packs on stock shackles sounds like a bone-rattler to me!

JD Cravin

I wore out my RC leafs in just one year of hard wheeling... I also carry a lot of equipment in the rear and have a tire carrier... I went with RE springs after that and they are way beefier.. The RC springs had 5 leafs while the RE's have 8! They work really well for me but may be a bit too stiff if you don't carry a lot of weight in the rear.

VermontXJ802

I have the adjustable shackles from RC already installed. It rides great so I think ill just get some 2.5 or 3 inch lift springs. Thanks guys

Fred/N0AZZ

IMHO relocation brackets are not needed for just a 3" leaf pack.

As far as leafs or coils for quality and price (American Made) Rustys Off Road offers very good sets, I have used them on my last 2 lifts. They have never sagged even under heavy loading or time used, so far.

PurpleToxin505

Idk my angle is at 90 with 3in. I need the brackets my self

Aljay

Hmmm im at 3" of lift i had 90* shackle angle ,I made my own relocation boxes no change in height but now my angle is 40 ish degrees way better flex and ride .

macgyver35

I'm inclined to agree that, bang for the buck, Rusty's is a good option.

However... Where I have a BIG problem with them is their ridiculous shipping rates! I was quoted (about three months ago) $180 to ship a kit to the Dallas area. That's crazy. The company I work for ships bulky heavy items, so I have some idea of what it really costs to ship things. What I found is that, once you added in shipping costs, there were a couple of places to get RE lifts with free shipping that only worked out to about $75 more than a Rusty's 4.5" Advanced kit with shipping. After checking around, Rusty's was at or near twice as much to ship a kit as many other places. They wanted $18 to ship a $60 dropped pitman arm for goodness sakes!

Rusty's would do themselves a big favor if they'd figure out how to get those shipping rates lower.

91_XJ_jason

iv got an all stock all original jeep XJ
my leaf springs are starting to bend the wrong way

whats the best way to go about that fix but still keep it OE??


trying to keep if in an all original shape as long as possible

macgyver35

Buy two of these, and the four bushings that go with them, and just replace the rear springs. Do not, under any circumstances, let someone talk yo into putting and Add-a-leaf on there to correct your problem.

autosurgeon

I have the dorman springs on mine and I really like them.

Atmos

this is dependant upon how much you care about back pains and what your budget allows. 3" leaf, no-lift relocation, 1" lift shackles, bilsteins. you'll be a lot happier than a guy who has a 3" leaf pack alone

91_XJ_jason

thank you mac iv ben looking and looking and only found lifts
i like a lifted jeep. i just wantd to keep this one original lol
i was relly surpised to see how cheep the springs were. just bought them and the bushings