Im running a stock suspension for now saving money for a 4.5 lift but for now I need 2in lift for the rear thinking about get a 2in shackle for now what do you all think about them. Need the ift in the rear because im cutting firewood and pull a trailor with the xj.

 

NO shackles they suck,go do a search for bastard packs and try that guy.g/l

 

auto zone and pep boys sell blocks that will fit come with new u bolt and nuts two

 

I'd avoid using blocks. i don't know from personal experience but from what i hear from most people is that blocks are a bad idea on XJ's due to axle wrap.

shackles are an easy way to get some lift in the back. bastard pack would work well too and is fairly inexpensive if you put the work in for it. if youre hauling stuff having the thicker leafs wouldnt hurt.

Thread i put below says shackles from 95-99 fullsize GM(chevy, gmc) trucks fit on an XJ and give 1.5" of lift. i picked up a pair and am going to try it. haven't done it yet so can't say it works for sure but im gonna give it a shot. for $5 each its worth checking out.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/bud...herokee-58797/

 

im gonna run some 2" shackles in mine. i got them free, but originally was going to grab some leafs off a Chevy S-10.

 

[QUOTE=XJ_rugger;713079]I'd avoid using blocks. i don't know from personal experience but from what i hear from most people is that blocks are a bad idea on XJ's due to axle wrap.

shackles are an easy way to get some lift in the back. bastard pack would work well too and is fairly inexpensive if you put the work in for it. if youre hauling stuff having the thicker leafs wouldnt hurt.

Thread i put below says shackles from 95-99 fullsize GM(chevy, gmc) trucks fit on an XJ and give 1.5" of lift. i picked up a pair and am going to try it. haven't done it yet so can't say it works for sure but im gonna give it a shot. for $5 each its worth checking out.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/bud...herokee-58797/[/QUOTbeen running blocks for 6 years now axle wrap is from weak springs

 

Shackles work. I have run blocks. They killed a set of modified stock springs (made a 7 leaf stock pack) I switched to spring a bastard pack (using a 4.5" TC main leaf) with a shackle.

The shackles when set up (like using a shackle relocation bracket) will give a softer ride in the rear and more droop. The complaints for shackles comes because they instal them and it brings the shackle angle to nearly vertical instead of the recommended 45*-50* The shackle doesnt give enough room to articulate at that angle.
They do nothing to help and nothing to cause axle wrap either

 

I wouldn't put shackles on if you plan on hauling stuff. The shackles will only invert the springs and will eventually not give you what your looking for.

If you don't mind a little harsher ride quality, the easiest thing to do is just just do a heavy duty AAL. This will eventually sag as well, but will help out with the load for hauling. Someone out there makes one specially designed for hauling. I believe it is called a helper spring.

The bastard pack, as mentioned above, would work as well.

 

 

they dont cause axle wrap but they do invert your spring.And (96 xj) no need to be a jerk with a stupid comment this is only my opinion just like your opinion above the OP will decide for him/herself in the end.

 

There was no "jerk" comments in what i posted.

Hauling with the XJ will invert the leaves with a shackle or not. The stock 4 leaf pack is not meant for that much weight, specially after you have put some miles on it.

Of course the best thing to do is build or buy a new leaf pack. always. but between a block and a shackle, a shackle is the better option. You will notice axle wrap with no weight, now add weight and you will see your springs turn into an S. Now place a block under then and you have just magnified the forces placed on the spring. Now if you have an extended shackle. it now essentially lowers the spring mounting point not changing the springs and not placing extra forces on the spring. Why? because the main spring when flat is only so long eye-to-eye. with a stock shackle it is able to reach that fully extended length with some room to play and then will allow the spring to invert. The only reason I could see it causing more of a problem is it could possible invert to much (i.e. negatively arch more than it could stock because it would have been on the bump stops if it was stock and now it has 1.5" more to travel causing the springs to start to lose their temper and elasticity). If you are worried about that, extend the bump stops.

All i was trying to get at is a shackle is the better option between a block and a shackle. And again, OP new/build spring packs are always the best option.

 

It is a better option but the choices hear all suck ,a new heavy duty spring pack from quadratec .com (I think thats the name) thats the best answer. I know there weren't any jerk comments but most people give one to you in the next post if you dis agree with them .

 

I have a 99 xj 150k miles. Did not listen to the good advice on here and put 2" blocks in rear and 2 " spacers for front. Around 150 miles i noticed a noise coming from the back of my jeep. I looked underneath and noticed my leaf springs starting to crack by the force of the blocks against them. I had to get it towed to the garage being that the drive shaft is ready to break off. I replaced the leafs and put 2" shackles so i could run 31-10.50's and they work great. What an expensive mistake that was. Never had it off road. My DD, street only.

DO NOT USE BLOCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Do you have to install a shackle relocation bracket for the fullsize chevy brackets as well? Or only the rc shackles? Thank you