I'm looking into redoing my lift to a 4.5" and wondering if its better to go for a full 4.5" leaf or a 3" leaf and 1.5" shackles? I'm leaning towards OME 3" MD rear leafs and an undecided brand of 1.5" greasable shackles because i believe that brings greater flex in the rear? I'm still earning so any opinions are greatly appreciated!

 

I never liked shackles, just flattend the leaf and started sagging. aal is much better. IMO had to add s10 leafs to compensate.

 

If you're going for a 4.5'' lift then a 3'' leaf pack with a 1.5'' lift shackle will allow for more flex and usually a better ride. Less arc and less metal = softer spring rate = more flex and usually a softer ride. I ride in a lowered GTI on coilovers when I'm not in my XJ so the XJ feels pretty soft an comfy to me on RC 3'' leaf packs and a 1.5'' lift shackle.

That's my .02

 

thats exactly what i needed to hear lol plus I've heard a lot of good things about old man emu springs about ride and whatnot so i think this the route ill go with shackles

whats a good shackle?

 

I second trumpster. Improved ride and flex with a leaf pack - shackle combo. You also have very little to worry about as far as the shackle bending your leaf; shackles are common and totally reasonable for anything around three inches of lift and under, and since you'll be getting a brand new leaf pack it's not going to turn it into an S like some people say.

For shackles, the first choice is greaseable or regular. Be honest with yourself, will you keep up with the cleaning and re-greasing? It is very easy yes, but I am very lazy and I just know I'd say "ahhh eff it" lol. You can technically grease any shackle on the outer parts, but greaseable shackles actually have a fitting to hold it. As far as companies, it's similar to spacers: as long as you go with at least a somewhat reputable brand, you can't go wrong. It's just a chunk of steel lol. Adjustable (like 1.5-2 inch) give you the option to fine tune your lift. Might be a good choice if your new leaf pack is taller than advertised at first and then settles.

IMO, you should just PM SeriousOffroad on here and tell him what you're looking for and he'll hook you up!

 

Another plus with shackles is pitchs rear axle upless driveshaft angle..

 

i have the liqiud iron shackle relocation box's some 2" lift shackles and some flat stock springs im at 4" of lift and it has lots of flex and ride is really smooth. now i need new shocks becuse my droop is limited bye the ones i have now.

 

================================================== =======
I would steer from the shackles too.
Here is how I got my lift I needed. I used a full leaf pack from a 99 S10 Chevy interlaced (by leaf length) with the existing leaf pack I had on my 96. I ended up with 6" total.

Cheap and you get to learn more about your rig. The more you do ,,,the more you learn.

 

A shackle/leaf pack setup is IDEAL. Get 3" packs and a 1.5" boomerang shackle, youll be golden. AAL will sag faster than anything, blocks suck to being with, and at 4.5" you start getting into really arched leafs.

 

Yea ive heard alot about blocks being terrible. Im gonna go with a 3 inch sping and a 1.5 shackle. And probly a front spacer on the fron since ive already got 3" front srpings

 

Good thinking