Well like the title says, How big a difference do shackles make. I am ordering my 4.5" kit shortly and i am trying to decide if i want the 3.5" leaf springs with the 1.5" shackles or just get the 4.5" leaf packs. how much will it effect my flex, and overall handling off road?

It's not so much the shackle, but the shackle angle. It should be close to 45 degrees at ride height. I would go with the 3" leaf plus longer shackle because that will most likely give a better shackle angle, and the stock shackle is too short to work with. If you bolt everything up and your shackle angle is off... well you're gonna have to relocate your bracket if you want it to flex well.

Get the 3.5" Leaf pack, with a 1" or 1.5" shackles your spring pack will be Flatter and you'll have a better shackle angle. Flater leafs = Better ride and more flexability

Any shackle longer than stock will make your shackle angle terrible,lift shackles with relocators will allow for a decent ride and the longer shackle will provide more downwards travel vs stock because it will open up more than a short shackle would from the proper 45* at ride height.

do yourself a favor and just go ahead and get some shackle relocation brackets, either the low profile ones or like the ones from rough country those work just fine.

you'll get a perfect Shackle angle and you will be surprised at how much of a difference it makes... it really rocks on road and off road.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f10/ro...7/#post2260381

We make the low profile shackles so that you can run the 1.5" shackle AND relocate the mounting point as well..

http://froehlichsuspension.3dcartsto...e-XJ_p_22.html

Let me know if you have any questions,
Kris Froehlich

That's pretty cool, nice design