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JK shocks on xj - Lift Question

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Old Jun 1, 2015 | 08:10 AM
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Default JK shocks on xj - Lift Question

I've used the search tool and read everything I've found - I know they will fit. my question is if I just use the shocks, what else do I need to add to have a "complete" lift? I know I need the extended brake lines, but will I need to add blocks or a leaf spring? I'm only looking for 3-3.5" of lift. I've found several sets of 2015 JK shocks for $30-$50. Any help or advice is appreciated!
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Old Jun 1, 2015 | 08:17 AM
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Those shocks work for a 2 to 3 inch lift on an XJ.

You need a lift kit, I guess.
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Old Jun 1, 2015 | 08:20 AM
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You can relocate the front brake lines at that lift height and just buy a extended rear brake line. I'm at 5.5"s of lift and my jeep is still using stock front and rear lines so not required but might as well.

I've ran the JK shocks and they ride good on xj. Rusty has the best deal on 3" lift coils at $100 plus shipping I believe. As for rear I like to use 2"lift shackles which can be bought for $45 for a sturdy set and shackle relocation brackets that add about 1.25-1.5"s of lift. You'll get a good ride from poem soft leafs with a good shackle angle for a nice ride a great flex. And your good to go. Later you can add a track bar and lower control arms but they are not needed at 3-3.5"s of lift

First pic is 5.5 inches of lift with stock relocated brake lines and second is with 3.5 inches of lift and jk shocks with no sway bars
Attached Thumbnails JK shocks on xj - Lift Question-img_20150509_180349_112.jpg  
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Last edited by MoparNJeep; Jun 1, 2015 at 08:22 AM.
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Old Jun 1, 2015 | 08:37 AM
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Thanks for the help! So I'm looking at getting the 3" coils, 2" lift shackles and the shackle relocation brackets. As for soft leafs where can I get them? And just 1 leaf added to each side?
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Old Jun 1, 2015 | 08:41 AM
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This is a really good question.
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Old Jun 1, 2015 | 09:36 AM
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Your stock leafs is what I was referring too when I said soft leafs, with 2" lift shackles and relocation brackets will net you 3.25-3.5"s of lift in the rear

Relocation brackets can be had for $100-130
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Old Jun 1, 2015 | 09:50 AM
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OP, do yourself a favor and look into a full leaf lift kit. Extended shackles and RB will make you stock leafs from and you'll lose most of the lift you want. OME has 2" full leaf kits and you can get 1" lift shackles to bring you up to 3".

As for brake lines. Relocating fronts work at 3" as for rear it must be hit or miss cause at 4.5" if I didn't get longer lines, my stock ones would have ripped out ages ago while offroading.

Do some reading on lifts Op. Theres a whole thread dedicated to it
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Old Jun 1, 2015 | 09:30 PM
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I run jk black bodies (non rubicon) on my XJ and I like how it handles on the road, sorta like I'm floating. The jeep is 2.5" up front and 2" in the rear.
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Old Jun 2, 2015 | 07:48 AM
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Originally Posted by XJwonders
I run jk black bodies (non rubicon) on my XJ and I like how it handles on the road, sorta like I'm floating. The jeep is 2.5" up front and 2" in the rear.
These are the exact ones I plan on getting this week. Did you add leafs or are you running them alone? Any adjustments you had to make?
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Old Jun 2, 2015 | 08:14 AM
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Originally Posted by XJwonders
I run jk black bodies (non rubicon) on my XJ and I like how it handles on the road, sorta like I'm floating. The jeep is 2.5" up front and 2" in the rear.
Good to know XJ.
How much do take offs go for?
I'm just west of you.
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Old Jun 2, 2015 | 08:33 AM
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Originally Posted by louis97
These are the exact ones I plan on getting this week. Did you add leafs or are you running them alone? Any adjustments you had to make?
2.5 springs in front, upcountry leaf packs in rear along with 2" shackles. Sometimes I think the rear is little too low. I might get shackle relocation brackets to even it out a bit.

(To run jk shocks, you ll need bar pin eliminators). Click on my build thread "jerk stick". Towards the end, I have some details on making homemade bpe in the rear.
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Old Jun 2, 2015 | 08:34 AM
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Originally Posted by madmanmarty
Good to know XJ. How much do take offs go for? I'm just west of you.
I bought my take-offs from eBay for like 50 bucks or something. I forgot. It had only 60 miles on the shocks when I got it so it's pretty much pristine.
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Old Jun 2, 2015 | 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by XJwonders
2.5 springs in front, upcountry leaf packs in rear along with 2" shackles. Sometimes I think the rear is little too low. I might get shackle relocation brackets to even it out a bit.

(To run jk shocks, you ll need bar pin eliminators). Click on my build thread "jerk stick". Towards the end, I have some details on making homemade bpe in the rear.
Thanks for the info! For the 2" shackles do you recommend any? Looking on eBay they range in price from $40-$120. Any big quality differences?

I'm thinking of getting these http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=280900709153
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Old Jun 2, 2015 | 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by louis97
Thanks for the info! For the 2" shackles do you recommend any? Looking on eBay they range in price from $40-$120. Any big quality differences? I'm thinking of getting these http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...d=280900709153
most of the time those shackles will do the job just as good. When u get into hardcore wheeling, I would recommend those shackles with thicker metal.
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Old Jun 2, 2015 | 12:51 PM
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Bar pin eliminators are not required. Press out the bar on your stick xj shocks and press into jk shock. Requires a vice but was not difficult. I needed no bar pin eliminators. However if you go more than 3.5" lift in back bar pin eliminators will help lower shock up top an inch and give you back more down travel
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