talk to me about front and rear shock placement for better flex / travel... what ideas do you guys have?

build a shock hoop through the floor.....worked for me...lol

really the same for the front. extend the shock mounts into the engine bay....both will make it easy enough to fit 14" travel shocks, and in reality thats about more travel than most XJ's will ever need

what about shock angles and how far in/out on the axle/body?

well, is the jeep a DD? you plan to go fast offroad? or just slow wheeling?

combo slow wheeling and driving on the road

then i wouldnt angle them more than 25-30 degrees inward. that should still give you some nice travel and still ride well on the street. but keep them staggered like the factory (one in front and one behind the axle)

and id mount them slightly inboard from where the factory had them

I mounted mine up higher on the axle and put them at a 30* or so and have them coming together in the rear. Im dreaming of shock hoops through the floor and engine bay...