I've been adding some weight to my XJ, specifically in the rear (swing away bumper with 35" spare on it, gas tank skid, sliders, etc) which has made me lose a little lift in the rear end. When I bought it, the PO had it set up with a nice forward rake (6.5" in the rear, 5.5" in the front). It looked good and drove really well when crawling!

Now with all this extra weight, it's leveled out and might even be slightly down in the rear. Looking at ways to get back the rake and was thinking about longer shackles. Then came across this site http://jeep-xj.info/HowtoRearSpacer.htm about shimming on top of the axle below the leaf spring.

Anyone every done this before? Benefits over longer shackles? Drawbacks?

 

Does it already have 'longer than stock' shackles?

 

What about running a shackle relocation kit http://www.hdoffroadengineering.com/...relocation-kit http://ironman4x4fab.com/Products/RLS.html either will give you about a 1 inch lift and better shackle angle.

 

OP, maybe invest in new leaf springs. Besides the fact that you didn't tell us the current setup other than height.

 

That is a very good idea with all the added weight. The spare tire cantilevered off the back adds a lot of leverage to it's weight.
BDS leaf springs are designed with this type of load in mind, also for stability when towing. Same with Old Man Emu HD.

 

Couldn't agree more. There's a good chance the PO already did the shackles to get the extra height. And adding spacers and other nonsense. Just no. Like mentioned here, the spare is adding a good amount of a downward pull which means those leafs are holding alot of weight. Get some stiffer leafs and the weight will counteract the stiffness

 

Thanks everyone for the input!

Sorry, forget to mention that the P.O. upgraded the leafs (leaves?), stiffer + added an extra.

I'm pretty sure still rocking the stock shackles (not 100% as the rig is in the shop getting a cage installed.)

I totally agree about the spare leveraging a ton of weight, but with 35's, it's too big to fit inside with the backseat up (have to have a place to put the kids!). (I travel quite a bit to wheel, so would prefer to keep it off the roof, too.)

Thanks for the input!

 

Do you know which set of leafs he installed. Sounds like he may have did either an AAL or a overload leaf. And take a pic of the leafs. IF he did upgrade the leafs properly and you have a stock shackle, you can get a boomerang shackle. That nets about a 1" of lift, depending on which you get. And like mentioned earlier. You can also go relocation bracket to help with flex and shackle angle

 

Please do not use a plastic lift block. It would just flatten out and fall out and then your axle can move back and forth and cause lots of other problems.

 

If it's still the stock shackles on lift springs, than you will benefit from lift shackles. It will improve the articulation of the leaf spring, increase wheel travel and give you the lift needed.
Extended shackles usually come in 1" lift up to 2". Many are adjustable with 2 or more mounting holes. Will also lift the rear pinion angle by a small amount.

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...462b36b4fee3ac

 

Also stock MJ Comanche shackles will lift a little (.5"-.75" I think...could be wrong) if you can find some

 

I am one of those using Boomerang Shackles 1 1/2" ones, I have better flex with them than before. I also have a heavy swing out tire carrier bumper and the cargo area is loaded to the gills. This is sitting on a slanted driveway in the rear (4 1/2" of lift).