ta2tony

Did I miss the part when researching tips to lift installs about one of the rear bumper bolts protruding into the shackle box?

I was out re-torqueing the bolts on my recently installed lift and noticed one of the bolts holding the rear bumper bracket to the back of the unibody actually extends into the shackle box. I literally have maybe an 1/8" between the bolt and shackle, and can see where its been pounding into the shackle

So my leafs ride really smooth, unless I hit something that jars it (speedbump/pothole) and then SLAM...feels like the axle is welded to the frame rails. My shackle angle isn't perfect (maybe 70-75°) so I just thought it was because of that...as that is the response I've always read to this condition: poor shackle angle.

Not sure how I didn't notice this during install...has anyone else noticed this on their lifts? I think I'll be removing that bolt on both sides tonight and go hit something and see if the jarring goes away.

ta2tony

Pictures of my shackle angle and the bolt in the shackle box:

schirm

This is what I did to solve that same problem. Shackle relocate brackets. Not the best photo I know. In my opinion they are a good enough upgrade to be included with any XJ lift. Some people use boomerang shackles or sliders but I personally don't like to use stock shackle mounts with lifted XJs at all.

ta2tony

Its not a big deal to me to just remove the bolts. I'll be doing an aftermarket rear bumper soon anyways. At some point I will probably get around to doing a low-pro shackle relocation, but for now I got a lot of other things to spend money on.

I am really just posting this as a public service announcement since I've never seen it mentions (that I recall or paid attention to, lol!) This might help out a lot of people with the same problem.

xjheep92

yeah when I got extended shackles the instructions said to make sure to remove that bolt so it wouldn't hit.

Or you could cut it with a sawsazl either way not gonna hurt any babies

CEI

I just removed the bolt, worked out fine. Or grind the **** down.

ta2tony

Shackles with instructions? LOL!

Yeah, I'm just going to take them out...was just kinda surprised because I don't recall it being discussed when people lift and complain about the hard-jarring ride...

Slim357

Nice to know and your right I have never noticed any mention of that bolt either. Glad you said something about it. This may be why my rear is so stiff and jarring.

CEI

I noticed the scar the bolt was leaving on the shackle. So i said its got to go. And as it was said i ve not seen mention of it.

DirtRoadXJ

i had the same problem when i put shackles in. just cut it off with a sawzall.

ta2tony

I pulled the bolts out last night, no more jarring ride when hitting bumps...woot woot!

Now I just gotta do something about my stock arms on 4.5" lift and it'll ride like a champ. Long arms here I come!!!

Slim357

Nice I just removed the swaybars and the ride is so much better now. Still gonna pull the bolt out tho just incase they are hitting