http://www.quadratec.com/products/76117_801.htm

I am looking at this kit for my XJ. Are shackles really that bad. I cant afford the full leaf pack until about February or so. Would the shackles be ok until then? And what are pros and cons with shackles?

 

Shackles arent that bad especially if you are planning on full packs in the near future. This way you can reuse the shackles

 

Those skyjacker shackles are ok for mild trail and road use but for mildly agressive or worse offroading they lack some major support backing on them and will bend easier then something like the teraflex 2" budget boost..

 

But i've heard stories that the shackles shot through their floorboard. And they would be ok for about a year of use?

 

IMO you should think about some higher quality shackles for that duration of use. Maybe RE/TnT.

 

Cool thanks. The reason i liked that kit was it came with shocks and was relativley cheap. I could always but that kit and use everything else except the shackles and buy some teraflex shackles.

 

If shackles break off and go through the roof then it's the bolts IMHO not the shackle itself...Also get shackles that are greasable.

My question is this do you have plans of going bigger and is the 2" BB just a temp fix? If you have plans for bigger don't waste the money on a budget boost. You will regret it in the end trust me I do..

 

Yeah I'd like to eventually build this up to be at 4.5". But for my high school and college years I'd like to keep it around 2".

 

Another avenue for a budget lift is ...
http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchan...ode=sus_xj_kit

IMHO the 2" long AAL would be better then shackles but that's just me...and ya get shocks as well and it's better IMHO then skyjacker.
and

http://www.roughcountry.com

Although these BB label themselves as 2" lifts most aren't and are usually around 1.75".

 

no matter what budget boost is just that. so obviously they aren't the cats meow.

shackles put extra tension on the end of the leaf, blocks make it go negative on both sides. and blocks screw up the rear sway bar, and no kit even talks about that.

i hate add a leafs for two reasons. 1. they can end up riding pretty nasty 2. all that work to pull the leafs apart is more than replacing them.

imo, if you want to go bigger, don't buy parts you're gonna throw away. i know no one wants to wait, and you wanna get that thing out of stock form asap, thats what i did.
but you're better off waiting, and buying all the right parts and doing it once. i know, sucky advice right?

oh yeah, at least buy shocks for 2-4 inches of lift, then you can at least buy something useful

 

Yeah I went the 2" BB route first and wasted a load of cash..If I had found forums like this at first I likely wouldn't have made that mistake..Now I have a RE 3.5 kit which is what I really wanted and well spent to much getting here..lol Do right the first time and don't turn back..

 

check out www.roughcountry.com if you dont want to wait. they have adjustable shackles for 40 bucks. grab a set of their shocks and coil spacers and youll be good to go. the rc shackles are stronger than skyjackers with a back plate welded on plus adjustable from 1.5 or 2.0 inches. they also ship next business day and have great customer service.

 

I would have to agree with mudd. Skyjacker's kits a designed more with the show truck in mind.