Chino

Hey there... I've been lurking the forum for a while and is now time to post first thread.
Happy owner of a 2000 XJ since 2002... 140K miles and still running strong. It has been my DD since day 1. I do all the basic maintenance and light mechanic jobs to my jeep. It is slightly mod with the 1.5" OME kit and 30x9.5x15 A/T BFG.

Looking to get a little more clearance to fit 31" or even 32" M/T, I got shackles but I'm having a problem. The bolt that sits on top of shackle (top one on picture) is rotating but not getting loose. I tried to reach for the end of bolt but since thread is on the frame I couldn't do anything.

Could anybody enlighten me as how to get that bolt loose (outta there)??

Marcucco

Nobody's answering this because they don't want to give you the bad news.
The nut that WAS welded up in that box frame has torn loose.

I never worked on a 2000, On a 96, you can pull the rear bumper and the brackets and there will be an access port, but it's really too small to do much of anything with and opening it up to the same size as the 'box' may still not give you enough room.

This thread will show you what your in for.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/sw...utorial-99369/

I would suggest you save your self half a day by takeing it on faith that you're never going to get the bolts to come loose and just move directly to the phase where you start cutting the bolts and bushings out with a disk grinder and/or sawzall.

I also think it saves some time by taking careful measurements and cutting access holes in the floor of the cargo area.
The bumper is a beast to get off, especially with the class V hitch receiver on there.
It's much easier to get the panels and carpet out of the rear and open holes in the deck with a jig saw, and it gives you a lot more room to work

Measure twice, cut once.

Good luck!

Chino

Thanks for the news Marcucco. Even thou bad news, is a good guidance.
Hope I can solve it...