yonkdaddy

hey all. I want a 4.5" set up on the jeep and want to do RE's kit but I was thinking about just getting the parts for the front separately and doing some combination like HD leafs, 2" shackle, and shackle relocation brackets to really get the rear done right and maximize articulation. Think this is a good idea or just buy the full kit?

SeriousOffroad

What are your plans for the front?

Simply adding a set of boomerang shackles will greatly improve your articulation and ride quality.

OOdynamite

Why not do RE? Their a great company with great parts.

yonkdaddy

I know RE is great, I don't doubt that but if I'm correct, for the most part, adding shackles is going to give you bad shackle angles. Which then degrades ride quality. So shackle relocations would fix this problem but adds an inch or 1 1/2" to the rear. RE's kits are usually a bit higher in the rear to start and to add another 1 1/2"! I'll need a full 2" spacer at least to level out the front. That'll put me over 6" and at that point why not just go with a full long arm kit IMO. For the front I was thinking of RE coils, HD track bar and frame mount, CA drops and I'm not sure about adj or fixed CA. I know people say adj so that you can go bigger later but like I said earlier, if I'm gonna go bigger than 4.5 I'm gonna upgrade to long arms. This is my only form of transportation besides a mountain bike ha and I think 4.5 is a good size for DD/wheeler.

yonkdaddy

oh and boomerang shackles... i never thought of that for some reason. That might be a better fix. Those are usually 2-2.5" lift right? That along with some 2" leafs. OME maybe?

SeriousOffroad

Actually short leaf springs (eye - eye) are the cause of poor shackle angles.

RE Boomerang shackles provide 1-1.5" lift.

As far as ride quality for a DD is concerned:
1.) Quality shocks make all the difference.
2.) Longarms will provide the best possible ride quality

yonkdaddy

In that case. Can anyone tell me if RE's full leaf pack 4.5 kit has bad shackle angles? The kit comes with 3.5 leafs and 1.5 shackles. I'm guessing not.

SeriousOffroad

RE recommends longer shackles for their leaf springs for the same reasons I mentioned.

Check out my site and let me know if you have any questions.

fsjunky

Not to stear you away from RE but Zones 4.5in Lift kit Has a 3in full leaf pack and extended shackle. So you could Do a Boomerang shackle or a Shackle relocation kit and still get a full lift kit. Just somthing to think about

OOdynamite

Hey I hear ya brother. Sounds like ya know what ya want. And the one guy suggested a Zone lift with the 3 inch full packs and a 1.5 inch shackle, and I would recommend that. Zones a good company, I have their 4.5 inch kit with the AAL. 4.5 is a good DD set up, I would recommend some step bars or something to get that bike up on top though... ask me how I know... lol

Skunkape

I have the RE extreme duty 5.5'' kit.3.5'' leafs with the 1.5'' RE boomerang shackles.It flexes insanely better than my old rig with bastard pack and RC regular straight extended shackles.Keep in mind RE lifts sit high too,my 5.5 netted 6.5 when I first installed it, its still at 6'' after 2 months now,which is great with me because I know it will settle eventually

yonkdaddy

Ya I just wanna make sure I get it right this time. My last xj wasn't pretty and I was 17 and just wanted it up in the air so i definitely cut corners. It was a Rustys 4.5 kit with a 2.25 spacer up front which caused a lot of problems! Now a few years later I finally got the money saved and found a clean xj with no rust and low miles. I'll spend the money on better parts this time. It just may take a little bit longer.

yonkdaddy

also.. what track bar are you guys running with this zone kit? doesn't look like it comes with one.

yonkdaddy

Ya i think boomerangs are the way to go. Whatever I decide on will definitely have a set of those attached.

ct67_72

a boomerang shackle doesnt affect the actual shackle angle. no matter the bend of the shackle the bolts for the spring and shackle are still in the same replation to each other. unless you are actually moving one of the mounting points you are not changing the shackle angle. I run boomerange because my leafs are longer and the straight shackle would hit the body.
A good HD spring, relocators, and a 1-1.5 shackle should be a great setup