Yes shackles ruin the springs to but only on one end which could also break the ends off also,and i'm not trying to defend defend blocks either, but if you look at what longer shackles do to the ends of springs its the same princaple as blocks its putting undo pressure on an area of the spring,also bastard packs unless you get the perfect length of the replacement leafs you will put undo pressure points on the factory spring ex. new cut down leafs are4 to 5 inches from the wrap on the factory spring.(I still dont care for blocks)

 

so in your opinoin whats the best way to lift the *** end up 4"? just for ref

 

in that case i agree

 

iron rock off road has huge selection of lift feafsup to like 5.5 in or something like that

 

I have only 1 1/2" blocks in my xj with brand new leaf packs with the "overload" spring on the bottom of the pack, which that leaf alone is 3/4" thick. I think that's tolerable. Oh P.S. I'm running a 4" lift.

 

ive also heard rumors of using dodge dakota leaf packs ?? whats the deal with that are they just adding them into the xj pack as an overload spring? or doing a swap

 

Dakota springs are just added like any other bastard pack , same with using an other set of xj spring these two choices give you alot smoother ride.

 

i have never had a problem running shackles. of coarse my angles were always correct though. i am running 2" claytons on a re 5.5 leaf.

 

blocks on your dakota springs haven't broke yet most likely because mall crawling isn't that hard on your suspension... couldn't resist.

 

you're one to talk

 

huh? Do I know you?

 

Mine is a '93 XJ, 4.0 H.O., auto trans, stock front & rear diffs, 3.55 gears, 31 in. tires, quick disconnects. 90K. When I bought it about 3 years ago, the front springs sagged but the rears seemed fine. I wanted to level it so I added 3" coils in front w/ 1" spacer (I was advised that 3" would level it and provide enough clearance for the 31s, but it turned out that another inch was needed-next time I'll add 4" springs)
In the rear, I decided to use 2.5 in. blocks so I won't have long shackles sticking out the back to catch on rocks,etc., (also removed rear swaybar; it doesn't do %$#* anyway) so the vehicle would sit level and still provide clearance for the 31s. Long story short: It sits level like I want and I have no tire clearance problems on rocky trails (I don't notice the slightest problem with handling. IMHO, there's nothing wrong with blocks as long as you don't get crazy on the height and check the u-bolt tightness periodically.