So I'm doing a RC 4.5 long arm lift. Have new leafs installed and swinging shackles are all the way forward. I called RC they said to pry them back with pry bar which makes no sense to me.

 

I don’t know 100% but I’m pretty sure I’ve read a few times that RC leaf springs are shorter than they should be hence the crappy ride that I’ve also read they give. I’ve got a totaled jeep that I was going to use the lift from which is a RC. Haven’t done the swap over yet so idk from experience. I was considering some bolt on shackle relocation brackets myself.

 

I measured eye to eye on both and new RC is 1 5/8" shorter than old so guess I need shackles relocation brackets any help is appreciated and RC should include them or at least suggest them if this is standard. Now I'm at a stand still. No jeep safari for me this year!

 

The RC shackle relocation brackets are nice, I just installed a set on mine, very easy install.

 

When i did install my RC i couldn't reuse my shackles and had to buy new ones. Once installed the shackles where all the way to the front and looking weird, took the jeep for a ride and next day they settle back in place where they should be. New to all this lifting stuff but, don't you think the original removed leaf's are 1 5/8" longer because the metal gave up? Just an idea. I will tke a picture of mine in the morning so you caan see where they sit now.

 

The springs will flatten out with the load on them essentially growing longer...Dangling in the air they will be short especially brand new leaf packs..As you put weight on the spring you want to swing the shackle back instead of letting it keep going forward..That's what RC was suggesting..Try that and see where the shackle ends up...Some will add weight to the vehicle to help the springs settle quicker with the first initial miles so you "keep them over center " and get the correct shackle orientation...Most won't wait for the spring to settle and jump for the relocation kit...Spring length is a slippery slope,if the spring was initially "long enough" out of the box it would end up too long with the shackle going back too far when the spring settles with use or miles..As an example mopar's super stock drag racing springs have a much higher arch and install exactly as RC springs I've even had to jack the spring to get the shackle to reach,swing the shackle back as weight is added so not to let it swing front..After a few launches they settle in to the correct geometry..Here's a diagram from the Mopar Performance chassis manual showing the shackle orientation..

 

RC has crap quality when it comes to XJ (most of the Jeep world acutally) parts. Their leafs are known to be way too short on their 4.5" lifts. You'll need to get relocation brackets to get a good ride with them, check out HD offload for a quality product.
RC relocation brackets are a weak and sub par design compared to most. Order the HD Offroad or Ironman brackets that tie to the nutstrips to spread the load. There have been a few reports of RC brackets ripping the stock shackle box off the unibody from extreme stress and I'm sure some rust where the leverage caused the box to tear off.

 

There already on there so that's what I'm using, if it breaks I'll fix, but I'm not to worried. I have seen a few people that had them and they never had any problem.

 

That's fine but for the OP for the same price he might as well get a better product.