ta2tony

I started a thread a last week trying to get information, but I think I just need to see an example. I got 3" coils and shocks gifted to me today so I need to decide on a 3 or 3.5" full leaf pack, but I do not want to add shackle relocation brackets or lift shackles to correct the shackle angle. I only want 3 or 3.5" of lift and I want the leaf springs to be the correct length to accomodate the proper angle.

Can any of you running 3 or 3.5" lifts with full leaf packs and the stock shackle setup post pics of your shackle angle and what brand of leafs you got? I'm looking specifically at the zone, rusty's & OME rear leafs but am open to anything. I pretty much rulled out RC and RE leafs unless someone can convince me I can get a good angle with them without buying more parts and ending up with 4.5" of lift out back.

Thanks a ton in advance

Tylerzap

Tomarrow I will take pics if my angle with UpCountry springs and 3 inch AAL. But if I was you, i would do relocation brackets and longer shackles. It should be about 3 inches and flex and ride really good. But if you get new springs I would go OME. I hear they are great.

shodown

Im sort of in the same situation as you. I currently have spacer up front and shackle in the rear for 1.5 inches. I have 3 inch coils, newer shocks,new brake lines, and new lower control arms to install and looking for the best rear springs. I cant decide whether to buy a 3 inch rear spring or try the HD offroad shackle brackets with my rear longer shackle to hopefully get 3 inches. My current shackle is at around 90 degrees.

Tylerzap

I would definetly go relocation boxes. And later save up for good springs.

ta2tony

The reason I want to go with 3" springs instead of relo brackets and shackles is that the stock leafs on my XJ are beyond shot. The rear sits about 2" lower than the front.

I want to lift 3" with the leafs now, and when I get everything right I will add relo brackets/shackles to get to 4.5" for my second phase of the lift. I was given 3" coils and shocks so its not like I'm wasting money to lift 3" first.

I have the dreaded NP242 so I want to work out any vibes or driveline issues at 3" before I go up to 4.5.

Hopefully I can get some good info on which 3" leafs net a good angle with the stock shackle setup. I figured this would be something that has been covered on here but I haven't been able to find anything about it. Most of the discussion for shackle angle is regarding 4.5" lifts...

Barrelmaker

The reason why most of the discussion is about 4.5" springs is there becomes a drastic curve to get that lift, i have 3" rc full packs.
At first the angle wasn't the best but after time it turned out alright (~6mo) i just put relocation brackets on and decided to stay at 3, my ride drastically improved.
If i could do it over i would get ome leafs.

XJGrason

dangit. haha, guess ill be ordering some.

XJmike0122

Even OME leafs will give you a bad shackle angle or at least mine did 3.5" lift. After X-mas I am planning on getting leaf sliders.

glass3222

My 3" Zone leafs gave me a horrible shackle angle, basically vertical. I put LII leaf spring sliders on and now I am happy.

Grip

NP242 isn't dreaded.

Demonoid369

X2 you just can't get a full sye like the 231. Only option is a hack but that doesn't make it dreaded. Heck I'd rather have it than my 231

glass3222

+1 I like my 242 very much. Fulltime comes in handy during winter weather driving on road here in PA.

XJmike0122

Those are the ones I want.

Tsaani97xj

I really do not think you will find any production springs that give the ideal shackle angle. For that you will most likely have to get some made.

If you intend to go 4.5 or higher I think it is a better idea to start there unless you build into it and deal with a non ideal setup as you go else plan on wasting time, parts and money.

If you want to band-aid your current setup then consider doing a bastard pack to salvage your current main leaf while you decide on a set of leaf springs that fit your application. Xj main s10 main s10 second should get you around 3" cheap. Buy new spring straps/clamps as this setup doesnt reuse the stock s10 ones.

kgm

Yeah even if you just slap another spring under your main to keep you off the bump stops, it'll help. I did the Rubicon express 3.5" pack, which gave me 4.5" lift off the bat, and a pretty cheesy angle. it's not 90 degrees but not that far off. Nice shocks helps the ride a little bit, but I'm going to add a relocation box to get a much better angle.