Okay so I've got a 3 inch OME lift on my Cherokee and it's still got the stock shackles in the back. The shackles should be at a 45 degree angle but currently I would say they are almost vertical. That being said, I plan on ordering some shackle relocation brackets so I can get the correct angle.

My question is this... In the process of ordering shackle relocation brackets is there any advantage to getting aftermarket shackles as well? Aside from the fact that aftermarket shackles can add additional lift (which I don't want), I am wondering if they have any other benefits aside from that?

Having said that, is there any sort of aftermarket shackle I can get that won't give me any additional lift or is that just a matter of selecting the right angle with the relocation bracket?

 

Some shackles are greaseable.

 

Relocation brackets are good. There are types that advertise no lift that can help you correct the angle. Actually adding a bit of height with aftermarket shackles may be a good thing. With lift springs a longer shackle allows the spring much more travel, which will improve ride and articulation. If you have light duty OME springs this may be beneficial anyway since they'll sag with not much load. Say, 1/2" to 1" lift shackle and a relocation box, and you're good to go. Also keep in mind that if you move the shackle far enough forward you'll need longer ones to keep the same ride height.

Liquid Iron Industries sells some very interesting sliders which replace the shackle system completely. http://liquidironindustries.com/XJ-J...f-Sliders.html

 

Those shackle sliders look cool. Wonder if anyone has any experience with them since they are quite a bit more than relocation brackets.

Is there any way of telling whether I have a light duty or heavy duty OME suspension? I bought the car with it from the previous owner and he never mentioned which lift it was, just that it was 3 inches and somehow he got the rear to be 3.5 (the the jeep has a rake to it) which I'm not sure how.

 

A few people on here run 'em, it's here that I even found out about them.

Maybe the medium duty or heavy duty springs. If you can't find a receipt somewhere the model number may still be visible. OME paints em right on the springs I believe.

EDIT: CS033RA I think are the 3.5" medium duty leafs

 

I'll get under the Jeep and check tomorrow to see which ones they are.

If I do go with an aftermarket shackle along with a relocation kit I just don't want to get something that lifts the rear anymore (since it's already 1/2 an inch higher than the front). Mostly I just want to be able to correct the shackle angle.

 

I just did the No-Lift HD Offroad Engineering shackle box kit. He had it in stock and shipped it so fast, I got it three days later. It is freaking solid! Plenty of adjustability positions.

I originally just bought the RC extended shackles, hoping to fix my shackle angle. They didn't help. I had to do the shackle box. Now I have perfect 45 degree angle, and the rear rides, really, really nice. Best mod I have done.

 

Did those RC extended shackles lift the rear anymore?

I am not opposed to ordering some aftermarket shackles I just don't want the rear lifted anymore than it already is.

 

They are much stronger typically than the factory shackles. Look at Full Traction's shackles for an example of some very strong shackles (a few Jeep Speed rigs run these and they hold up to air time quite well and only give 1" of lift): http://www.full-traction.com/product...ring-shackles/

 

Those look pretty awesome! The issue is that I don't need anymore lift in the rear since it's already 1/2 an inch higher than the front. If I were to get shackles like that I'm not sure how I would compensate for that extra inch I would gain from the shackles.

 

The ones that are greaseable I hear allow a bit more articulation with rear leafs. I have saw them with as little as 3/4" lift to 1 3/4" with either you could use a coil spring spacer in front to even things out, I ended up having to that very thing.

 

That's not a bad idea. I may just get some 1" shackles for the rear and see if I can find a coil spacer or something for the front to give me the extra 1" I gained in the rear.

 

No lift relocation brackets

 

I have Zone 3.5" lift front coils, RE 3.5" rear leaf springs, RC 1-2" shackles and was able to get the front and rear level with the positions in the HD Engineering brackets. Keep in mind the Zone coils probably sit 1" higher than advertised. It worked for me!

 

If you use no lift brackets you can put a 1"-1.5" lift shackle at a 45 angle and get no lift.
I have this set up.