Good to know. I have a set of RE 3.5 leafs, from what I hear they are pretty stuff until they get worn in. Have a set of RE +1 shackles on the way. Should net around 5.5 inches of lift to match the front.

This is good info. Just got my XJ, and I'm building a bastard pack. Why is yours extra stiff? What vehicle did the leafs come from?

MmmMm shackle relocation looks purdyyyy. I'd almost want to pull a leaf out of my pack for that and see how she flexes

They are definitely heavy duty, should be plenty strong. Especially with the tie-ins to the nut strips.

Im going to clean up some of the edges, hit it with a wire wheel and paint them.

theyre xj/xj/RC 3"AAL

Well, now we know why they're stiff.

yea they're awful haha.

ill replace them some day after it moves again

lol.. if your LS was in the back, they'd be perfect

next time haha

Sweet build! Jealous of the wheeling you get to do! Also thanks for the help on my build

Thanks, i appreciate it. Hope you get your grinding noise figured out. Once you crack open the diff cover just check everything really well.

The grinding could even be your rear drum brakes.

You're gonna get way more than 5.5" . I was in the 6" neighborhood with that same combo with out relocators. It's been on for over two years , serving DD duties as well as weekend warrior, and sits a lil over 4.5 now with a heavy *** warn swing out bumper with a BFG 255-75-17 hanging on it.
They do ride stiff at first but get better with time, really wish I would have went with 5.5" coils and the HD brackets with the leaf setup.

Got another sweet freebie today. A 1 year old optima red top. It's a 35 series, but fit perfectly in the jeep.

Excuse the dirty engine bay, that will be deep cleaned once the front axle is back in and I can move it outside.

The cables and terminals will be upgraded before too long.

Well hopefully it's not too much lift in the rear compared to my 5.5 coils up front. I do have some weight in the rear with the tool box back there as well as the cargo rack I'm planning to build. If necessary I'll run a 1" coil spacer up front until the rear leafs settle. I'm hoping to not have to though. I guess the only way to know is get everything installed.

Waiting on the 3 link.

Yeah, that ones hard to call considering you'll have relocators. I think a nice shackle angle will have you sitting close to where you want.