Rebuilding the rear lift..

[Dredwolf]

Since I can't wrench on the XJ today because of the rain, I'd start a thread. Sorry about the lack of pics, but I'll try to describe what I did. Keep in mind, after reading the nightmares about these bolts, I tried two whole cans of PB Blaster applied over 3 weeks, and a LOT of hammering.

I am replacing the AAL the previous owner did with RE 3.5" leaf packs, and HD Offroad Engineering shackle relocation brackets.

I finally managed to get both old leaf packs out of the XJ without destroying the nuts in the unibody rails for the front bolts, but a great many 4.5" cutting wheels died to bring me these results.

Once the main eye was cut loose and about 2" of the eye cut away to expose the bushing, it was a simple matter to cut out a piece of the bushing with a utility knife, and use a hammer and chisel to wedge the bushing and remaining eye piece off. That exposes the inner sleeve, that in my case, was seized to the rubber bushing and the bolt.

I saw quickly that if I started trying to just remove the bolt, the sleeve would jam and bind, and force the sheet metal spring mount box apart.

A propane torch was used to heat the sleeve and bolt to where I could move it with a breaker bar and socket, then I turned it to where the seam for the inner sleeve was exposed.

I then took a hammer and metal chisel and split the inner bushing sleeve seam, then sprayed PB blaster into the seam, with a catch basin underneath, and started working the bolt back and forth, working the PB blaster in around the bolt and into the nut in the unibody.

If the bolt started binding, I applied heat and more PB blaster until I got to where I could loosen the bolt with a regular 1/2 ratchet.

The shackle bolts and shackle to body bolts removed much easier, but they are heavily eroded by rust.

It took a lot of time, but threads in the nuts are in great shape, I just need to source (4) of the bolts. Anyone have a good source for the OEM bolts?

I read a lot of threads about the struggles to remove the bolts, if I help someone else with their XJ, and they are not reusing the leaf packs, cutting them seems to be the best way to save the nuts in the unibody.

Now I think I need to pick up some longer Grade 8 bolts, because of the hitch, the gas tank skid, and the shackle relocation bracket have exceeded the bolts that came with the JCR nutstrips.

[Dredwolf]

It took a lot of time, but threads in the nuts are in great shape, I just need to source (4) of the bolts. Anyone have a good source for the OEM bolts?



Looks like the OEM part number is 34202118 for the bolt..... found them, but its a full set, I really just need the 4 bolts, and that will still give me (2) spares.

http://teamcherokee.com/rear-leaf-spring-shackle-bolt-nut-set-oem-cherokee-1984-2001/

[Dredwolf]

Anybody got the dimensions on a OEM shackle?

I am trying to determine what length to try and re-work these auto part store lift shackles to work with the 3.5" springs and the shackle relocation brackets to effectively net 4.5"-5" of lift to go with 3" tires.

I was originally thinking of the Revolver shackles or a set of boomerang shackles, but that may be too much lift.

[Carves]

Anybody got the dimensions on a OEM shackle?

I am trying to determine what length to try and re-work these auto part store lift shackles to work with the 3.5" springs and the shackle relocation brackets to effectively net 4.5"-5" of lift to go with 3" tires.

I was originally thinking of the Revolver shackles or a set of boomerang shackles, but that may be too much lift.


What do you want ... just top and bottom hole centre distance ??

[Dredwolf]

What do you want ... just top and bottom hole centre distance ??

Yep, that will work....the previous owner of the XJ installed some Big Box store adjustable shackles, I might be able to re-work them with the plasma cutter and some welding to work with the new leaf packs and the shackle relocation kit.

[Carves]

Best laid plans ........ :rolleyes: .. :bang:

Couldnt find me spares ... but on car measurement was 3 & 1/16 inch or 78mm ... between bolt centres.

Might want to confirm that with others tho ??

[Dredwolf]

.....on car measurement was 3 & 1/16 inch or 78mm ... between bolt centres.



Can someone else confirm? I am trying to figure out if I can make cheap lift shackles work....:confused:

[Dredwolf]

Okay, maybe a picture will generate some interest....

I have these....things...:P

http://i.minus.com/if1iHuiKqlT24.JPG

http://i.minus.com/ibsLlYw24rjnDn.JPG

I want to check the stock shackle (of which I have zero) to see if these can be cut down for roughly 1" of lift, or if I should just go with a JKS "Boomerang" shackle.

[4.3LXJ]

Those look to be for a two inch lift

[Dredwolf]

Those look to be for a two inch lift

Are you basing that on using the first hole from the spring eye end? So if I cut them down to use either the 2nd or 3rd from the spring eye end, if might work...

Trying to prep for when the spring bolts arrive.:pray:

[4.3LXJ]

2" total on the last hole. Subtract 2" from that and that should give you a 1" lift, which would be 2" longer on the shackle. For every 2" on the shackle, you get 1" lift. When you are done, be sure to check driveline angles. Those extended shackles change them

[Dredwolf]

2" total on the last hole. Subtract 2" from that and that should give you a 1" lift, which would be 2" longer on the shackle. For every 2" on the shackle, you get 1" lift. When you are done, be sure to check driveline angles. Those extended shackles change them

Bingo, that was the info I needed. :D

Currently (before I cut the eye off the springs and pulled the AAL :P), I had a situation where the 8.25 pinion and the drive shaft were very close to being fully in-line. Got a little vibration on initial take-off up to about 25 mph, then it smoothed out. Did not have the vibration with the D35, same springs and shackles.

I have an SYE to install once the lift is roughly dialed in, so the drive shaft can be made.

[4.3LXJ]

I have a thread on here called How to set driveline pinion angles. It will tell you how to set that SYE shaft up. You can go plus or minus 4° and be OK on that.

[XJ Wheeler]

Okay, maybe a picture will generate some interest....

I have these....things...:P

http://i.minus.com/if1iHuiKqlT24.JPG

http://i.minus.com/ibsLlYw24rjnDn.JPG

I want to check the stock shackle (of which I have zero) to see if these can be cut down for roughly 1" of lift, or if I should just go with a JKS "Boomerang" shackle.

I have those on my Bronco II. I had also thought of cutting them down but they get narrower further up and that brace across the back may get in the way. So make sure the eye will still fit in there before you cut.

[Dredwolf]

I have those on my Bronco II. I had also thought of cutting them down but they get narrower further up and that brace across the back may get in the way. So make sure the eye will still fit in there before you cut.

Yeah, saw that too, was going to get the new springs installed and see where I ended up first.

[Dredwolf]

Well, this did not go as planned....:bang:

After getting home this afternoon and wheeling out the welder to finish the unibody cracks at the mounting holes for the gas tank skid plate and receiver hitch, I followed up on the OEM spring bolts I ordered from http://www.cseoffroad.com/ that were now a full business day late.

There was a tracking link on the original order tracking e-mail, so I followed up, and found out that my order had been canceled, date unknown. :mad:

I placed the order on the 25th, and could not find any further e-mails from them, so I am following up with them in the AM.

The old spring and shackle bolts are too rust-eaten to re-use, so I may have to find another vendor for the bolts.:cry:

[4.3LXJ]

Take your old ones to a fastener store, like Fastenall. Tell them you want these and how many. You will go home with what you need

[Dredwolf]

Take your old ones to a fastener store, like Fastenall. Tell them you want these and how many. You will go home with what you need

Sadly, the Fastenal near me needed to order any variation of 10.9 M14x2.0x120mm bolts, and flange head in a M14 was just not available.

Not having as much luck as I would have thought finding them local.

[Dredwolf]

....I followed up on the OEM spring bolts I ordered from http://www.cseoffroad.com/ that were now a full business day late.

There was a tracking link on the original order tracking e-mail, so I followed up, and found out that my order had been canceled, date unknown. :mad:

I placed the order on the 25th, and could not find any further e-mails from them, so I am following up with them in the AM.


Did get a response from CSE Offroad.

"Hi, you should have received an e-mail from us letting you know why the order was canceled. We are sorry that you did not. This part was a surplus Mopar part that has sold old. We are unable to get this part anymore. We apologize for the inconvenience."

They have changed the part to "Out of Stock" on their website.

[Carves]

Did get a response from CSE Offroad.

"Hi, you should have received an e-mail from us letting you know why the order was canceled. We are sorry that you did not. This part was a surplus Mopar part that has sold old. We are unable to get this part anymore. We apologize for the inconvenience."

They have changed the part to "Out of Stock" on their website.



I guess, now, would not be a good time ..... to post up pics of a bucket full of jeep suspension bolts ... :D


Seriously tho ... what a PITA.

Have you had a look at the teamcherokee site ... Ive used them for odd stuff a few times.

[4.3LXJ]

Time to go to the wrecking yard

[Dredwolf]

I guess, now, would not be a good time ..... to post up pics of a bucket full of jeep suspension bolts ... :D


Seriously tho ... what a PITA.

Have you had a look at the teamcherokee site ... Ive used them for odd stuff a few times.

I am beginning to think I might have better luck ordering the blasted things from you....I can find M14x2.0 Keenserts all over the fricking state...:bang:

I guess I will check them out, $54 for a set of the bolts seems $$$ to me, but I need them.

[4.3LXJ]

John, for a couple of bucks I can pull some good ones from CA rigs. You pay shipping in a flat rate postal box

[Dredwolf]

John, for a couple of bucks I can pull some good ones from CA rigs. You pay shipping in a flat rate postal box

Steve,

I will give that some serious thought....thinking about trying the local pull-a-part after work to see if I can snag the (4) I need. Should have pulled the ones from the 8.25 donor...:bang:

You got a way to take PayPal or similar? I can't get the rear shackles finished until the springs are installed.

[4.3LXJ]

Yup, I have PayPal

[Dredwolf]

My wonderful wife may have saved the day...SHE suggested this morning that we make a trip to the local pull-a-part.

Managed to scrounge a half-dozen ZJ rear control arm bolts from where people had pulled rear axles in a hurry and just dropped the bolts:crazy: , and a set of the rear sway-bar brackets.

Read somewhere those brackets can be used to make bar-pin eliminators?:confused:

Lets see if I can get this lift moving again.:D

[Dredwolf]

No pictures, BUT, the junkyard bolts are in great shape....spent some time tonight taking a wire wheel to the bolts.

Took the best ones, and a liberal dosing of anti-seize, and confirmed solid thread engagement in the front spring mounts.:D

With a little luck, will install the rear leaf packs this week.:pray:

Just eyeballing the spring mount on the 8.25, the hole in it looks awfully close to the center pin in the new RE leaf pack, anyone had to do some filing to make the center pin fit?

[4.3LXJ]

You can taper them slightly. But you want them to fit snug

[Dredwolf]

You can taper them slightly. But you want them to fit snug

Took a piece of sandpaper to the pin, thinking that taking the paint off would help...no go.

Going to take a tiny bit of Dremel work, or at least a few seconds with a round file.

Looking at the HD Offroad Shackle relocation brackets, I am trying to decide if I want to weld them up before I primer and paint...

And how often do the front spring mounts fail? I was checking the junkyard replacement bolts one more time, and noticed how much the outer part of the mount flexed in when I was snugging up the bolt.

[4.3LXJ]

They don't usually fail. Most of the strength in those is holding the spring into the frame

[Dredwolf]

They don't usually fail. Most of the strength in those is holding the spring into the frame

Good info.

I was prepping the rear axle for a rattle-can paint job, and noticed an drip on the ground under the axle vent hose connection.

The PO had bought some Rusty's stainless brake hoses for the lift, and I re-used the rear line when I swapped the D35 for the 8.25.

I was not happy with how the block fit against the axle, and on the D35, the vent bolt rubbed against the D35 axle shaft. So I improvised at the time...looks like its leaking, not all of the seepage was from the driver side fitting.
:confused:
Any ideas for a better solution than my copper washers to space out the vent and seal the block against the axle tube?

http://i.minus.com/ibaGT2KmTRhqeL.JPG

[4.3LXJ]

Silicone might be your friend here

[Dredwolf]

Silicone might be your friend here

I had not considered some of the newer "FormaGasket" type products either, but that would be worth a look.

Test fitted the shackle relocation brackets tonight, only to get frustrated over the "Weld them? Don't weld them?" decision.:bang:

They do fit very snug, but I will need to pick up some longer Grade 8 bolts to make the shackle brackets, hitch, skid plate, etc, etc, etc all bolt back up.:rolleye0012:

[Dredwolf]

Will have to add pictures tomorrow, but did get the new RE 3.5" lift leaf packs installed with the HD Offroad Engineering Shackle re-location brackets to start testing some ideas for the shackles...HUGE difference with the 6-leaf RE leaf packs.

And the OEM u-bolt plates look bad next to the new leaf packs, so some sandblasting and rattle can painting will occur.

I am temped to try a set of OEM shackles, I originally though the JKS "boomerang" shackles were the solution http://jksmfg.com/i-8951242-hd-rear-shackle-1984-2001-cherokee-xj.html...

But that may lift things too much.

[adambaum]

They do fit very snug...

I feel your pain, wolf. I just got my HDOffroad kit installed this weekend. Mine were more than just "very snug", though. You can see the marks below the hole where the bracket was hitting:

http://nofences.me/fileStore/XJ/HDOffroadSackleKit/IMG_6308.jpg



And it wasn't going any further without some... persuasion. So, I had to enlarge the factory spring hanger box using this very high-tech approach:

http://nofences.me/fileStore/XJ/HDOffroadSackleKit/IMG_6309.jpg



And still I had to beat it into position with a hammer. You can see all the hammer marks on my (previously flawless) paint job :D:

http://nofences.me/fileStore/XJ/HDOffroadSackleKit/IMG_6310.jpg



But all's well that ends well, right? It worked out OK. I got my shackle angle down to about 53.5 degrees (good enough for me!), the rear end now sits just slightly higher than the front, and it's nice and level side-to-side.

The HDOffroad kit is very nice -- stay after it; it'll be worth it when you're finished!


http://nofences.me/fileStore/XJ/HDOffroadSackleKit/IMG_6322.jpg

http://nofences.me/fileStore/XJ/HDOffroadSackleKit/IMG_6317-Edit.jpg

http://nofences.me/fileStore/XJ/HDOffroadSackleKit/IMG_6326-Edit.jpg

http://nofences.me/fileStore/XJ/HDOffroadSackleKit/IMG_6324-Edit.jpg

[Dredwolf]

I feel your pain, wolf. I just got my HDOffroad kit installed this weekend. Mine were more than just "very snug", though. You can see the marks below the hole where the bracket was hitting:

http://nofences.me/fileStore/XJ/HDOffroadSackleKit/IMG_6308.jpg



And it wasn't going any further without some... persuasion. So, I had to enlarge the factory spring hanger box using this very high-tech approach:

http://nofences.me/fileStore/XJ/HDOffroadSackleKit/IMG_6309.jpg



And still I had to beat it into position with a hammer. You can see all the hammer marks on my (previously flawless) paint job :D:

http://nofences.me/fileStore/XJ/HDOffroadSackleKit/IMG_6310.jpg


But all's well that ends well, right? It worked out OK. I got my shackle angle down to about 53.5 degrees (good enough for me!), the rear end now sits just slightly higher than the front, and it's nice and level side-to-side.

The HDOffroad kit is very nice -- stay after it; it'll be worth it when you're finished!



Very nice, did you weld your brackets, or go with the strength of the press-fit?

Mine are technically installed, but I keep trying to figure out how to mount the Class 3 hitch and the gas tank skid plate to suit.

http://i.minus.com/iA1U6cTa62UtN.JPG

And I am still stuck on the blasted shackles....thinking about trying the ones from Iron Rock http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-XABLS&Category_Code=PFX

I am trying to build a XJ, not a '84 Camaro...don't want the jackrabbit look.

[adambaum]

Very nice, did you weld your brackets, or go with the strength of the press-fit?

No, I have no intentions of welding them. There's simply no need. They're not going to move -- but more because of the bolts and the heavy-duty construction than the snug fit. It's a well-designed kit.

Besides, I like having the ability to remove and/or readjust them later when the time comes to replace the springs without having to cut, grind, and re-weld.


Mine are technically installed, but I keep trying to figure out how to mount the Class 3 hitch and the gas tank skid plate to suit.

Do what I did: just mount the brackets below the skid plate and the hitch -- that's why I had to make the spacers out of flat stock. And it's one of the reasons I chose the HDOffroad kit. It's specifically designed to mounted above or below skid plates and/or hitches. In the end, it gave me an extra 1/4" of lift too. I wound up with just over 1.5" of lift -- exactly what I wanted. Couldn't be more pleased.



And I am still stuck on the blasted shackles....thinking about trying the ones from Iron Rock http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-XABLS&Category_Code=PFX

Yeah, I looked at those, too. They look to be very nice. But they're too long for my application -- 7.5 inches minimum, eye to eye. My current shackles are about perfect for my setup at 6.5 inches eye to eye.

[Carves]

............... Any ideas for a better solution than my copper washers to space out the vent and seal the block against the axle tube?


Did you get this sorted ??

Shortening the vent tube length/depth - seems to be an accepted practice.

... and generally ... just one copper washer will seal better than two.

[Dredwolf]

No, I have no intentions of welding them. There's simply no need. They're not going to move -- but more because of the bolts and the heavy-duty construction than the snug fit. It's a well-designed kit.

Besides, I like having the ability to remove and/or readjust them later when the time comes to replace the springs without having to cut, grind, and re-weld.

Do what I did: just mount the brackets below the skid plate and the hitch -- that's why I had to make the spacers out of flat stock. And it's one of the reasons I chose the HDOffroad kit. It's specifically designed to mounted above or below skid plates and/or hitches. In the end, it gave me an extra 1/4" of lift too. I wound up with just over 1.5" of lift -- exactly what I wanted. Couldn't be more pleased.

Yeah, I looked at those, too. They look to be very nice. But they're too long for my application -- 7.5 inches minimum, eye to eye. My current shackles are about perfect for my setup at 6.5 inches eye to eye.

I've looked at their construction a bunch of times prior to installing, I'll agree with the idea of not welding them.

I need to finish the re-work on the older OEM fuel tank skid plate and see where that puts me. The Class III hitch is a temporary solution for a tow points until I can pick a receiver bumper I like.

Iron Rock has two versions of adjustable shackles, one that does 0" or .75" and a 1" or 1.5" version. All I have are the 2"+ lift shackles the PO had installed, so I have to buy something, but I feel silly buying OEM shackles for test fit.

[adambaum]

Iron Rock has two versions of adjustable shackles, one that does 0" or .75" and a 1" or 1.5" version. All I have are the 2"+ lift shackles the PO had installed, so I have to buy something, but I feel silly buying OEM shackles for test fit.

Oh. Iron Rock. I read that as Iron Man. In that case, never mind. The jury will please disregard that last statement. :rolleye0012:

[Dredwolf]

Oh. Iron Rock. I read that as Iron Man. In that case, never mind. The jury will please disregard that last statement. :rolleye0012:

No worries, his stuff is stout! Trying to get the specs on the Iron Rock shackles and see. Maybe with enough vendor decals, I won't need to paint anything....:rolleye0012:

[Dredwolf]

Did you get this sorted ??

Shortening the vent tube length/depth - seems to be an accepted practice.

... and generally ... just one copper washer will seal better than two.

Not yet, you know how....stuff happens. Lost the clutch on the DD today, so there goes the weekend.

[Dredwolf]

Zack with Iron Rock Offroad provided the measurements for his shackles, so I thought I would post them here, to help anyone that needs them.

His "regular" adjustable shackle http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-XABBS&Category_Code=PFX is 3.125" or 4.5" eye-to-eye.

His "boomerang" version http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-XABLS&Category_Code=PFX is 5" or 6" eye-to-eye.

I hope this helps someone.

[Dredwolf]

Running behind on posting, "real life" has gotten really busy.

Ordered a set of the Iron Rock Offroad shackles, will get to install them with some luck

[Dredwolf]

Running behind on posting, "real life" has gotten really busy.

Ordered a set of the Iron Rock Offroad shackles, will get to install them with some luck

Shackles arrived, quality and finish is very nice. If real life stays steady, I'll get to install them this weeked and kick-start this build again.

[Dredwolf]

cell phone pics because camera is dead....

http://www.xjtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=455&pictureid=3625

http://www.xjtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=455&pictureid=3626

This should give me the adjustments needed to balance out the rear with the front.

[Dredwolf]

Well, the weather pretty much shot down any XJ work.

Got the tools out, got out the cardboard to sit on, found my bottle of blue Loctite, installed the bushing and grease fittings, sat down....and it started raining :bang:

[Carves]

Well, the weather pretty much shot down any XJ work.

Got the tools out, got out the cardboard to sit on, found my bottle of blue Loctite, installed the bushing and grease fittings, sat down....and it started raining :bang:


Murphy's Law .. :bang:



http://www.campingcentral.com.au/products/OZtrail-4WD-RV-Roof-Shade-Awning-Camping-Cover-Tarp.html ... :rolleye0012: ... :D

.

[Dredwolf]

If the weather holds, I'll get these shackles installed Sunday, still need to sand blast the receiver hitch though

[Dredwolf]

Well, managed to take 2 days off work to make an extended weekend, and actually managed to work on the XJ!:D

Got the sandblaster working right, and sandblasted the Class III receiver hitch, gave it a rattle can paint job, surface rust had pitted it pretty bad.

Got the modified OEM fuel tank skid plate "tweaked" to fit, made spacers, and got the plate and Class III hitch to bolt up, then got the shackles installed. This week I'll cut down the u-bolts and use a file to dress the cut ends, and finish it by the weekend.

http://i.minus.com/iDYW64V3nGcCM.JPG

http://i.minus.com/iTsKr4Pwxhofn.JPG

[adambaum]

Looking good!

[Dredwolf]

This thread is not dead, my wife is actually promising wrench time on the XJ...

:pray:

[Dredwolf]

Much to my extreme embarrassment :rolleyes:, I have a single u-bolt to shorten and file, and then the springs will be bolted in, and the new shackles can be tightened down, and I can drive this thing a bit and see how balanced things are.

Amazing how life can just broadside you, and everything flies to pieces.

Then back to the front for the new track bar and upper control arms...:rolleye0012:

[Dredwolf]

Between rain showers and rebuilding a hydraulic steering cylinder on my Massey Ferguson tractor, got the u-bolts finished, and actually installed with the spring plates :shocker:.

I left enough length if I need to install a shim to correct the pinion angle, but not too much.

No pics because of the rain, but it was nice to get some wrench time on it.

[Dredwolf]

I am actually stuck on this at this point. As I told Steve, prior to the new springs, my pinon angle was almost exactly in-line with the driveshaft.

I have got shims, but based on prior, I wonder if I should go ahead and install a set to shim the pinion angle down before I compress things to get a good idea of how it will really sit?

And the rear axle is FULLY drooped out now, I would guess this is the perfect time to get that measurement for the SYE driveshaft? :confused:

[4.3LXJ]

John, I posted a thread in the tech section on how to set driveline pinion angles. I used an angle finder then, but I use a smartphone with a leveler app now. Much more accurate. Which type of driveline will make a difference in what you do

[Dredwolf]

Which type of driveline will make a difference in what you do

Thanks Steve, I forgot all about that the drive shaft construction will change with an SYE vs the slip yoke.:rolleye0012:


I am wasting time worrying about something that will change anyway. :rolleyes:

[Dredwolf]

Got some wrench time today, got the rear suspension components bolted in, wheels on, and got it off the jack stands.

Will have pictures tomorrow, but rear shackle angle is much better.

Not sure how balanced it is front/rear, but it looks pretty good.

[Dredwolf]

After getting the front suspension where the XJ was "drivable" around my property, I think I have the rear suspension pretty much where I want it.

Ran out of daylight today, instead of pictures, I was helping my daughter's new boyfriend learn how to change his oil. Said he could never recall seeing his dad or mom ever changing the oil on any car, or taking it to be done. :shocker:

"Our cars usually don't last very long, my dad sells them to the junkyard and buys something else".

:mad:

"umm.....a vehicle is a tool, a tool that you can use to get and keep a job, which allows you to make money, which allows you to take my daughter on dates that are not restricted to the dollar menu, which helps me tolerate your existence in my daughter's life. Your are going to learn how to maintain the vehicle that my beloved daughter will be riding in, understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Grab those gray vehicle ramps over there...yes, those, and bring them out here. You are going to learn a skill this evening. Do you have a pair of jumper cables in your vehicle and a......"

Anyway, pictures of the new shackle angle tomorrow, I'll need to go ahead and install the SYE to get the measurements for the new drive shaft before I can decide if I need to shim the axle.

More to follow, but the rear lift is almost done. Anyone got suggestions for poly bushing grease? Years ago, I used white lithium grease on CJ's

[Dredwolf]

Now that I have some time :rolleyes:, as promised, a picture of the new shackle angle with the following:

Iron Rock Off Road Adjustable Boomerang Shackle
HD Offroad Engineering Shackle Relocation Bracket
Rubicon Express 3.5" lift leaf spring

This is sitting on the ground, with 1/2 tank of fuel and probably 150lbs of tools/parts in the cargo area.

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b605/dredwolf1/Accessories/XJ%20Project/IMG_3981_zpsaf59db87.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Hey, something is wrong. It is all shiny :D

[Dredwolf]

Hey, something is wrong. It is all shiny :D

XJ no go, got to fix fuel line first. :cry:

[Dredwolf]

Now that some of the crazy schedule is out of the way, back to the XJ...

This is the shackle angle with tools, parts, and a 1/2 tank of fuel...3.5" lift RE leaf pack, Iron Rock Off-Road Shackles.....

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b605/dredwolf1/XJ%20Project/IMG_3986_zps7f7c1659.jpg

but the rear is still much higher than the 4.5" lift front coils....

I don't want to have to boost the front much more, and push the limits of a short arm too much. Anyone have a rough guess on the weight of a quality bumper with carrier and 33" spare?

[4.3LXJ]

150#

[Dredwolf]

Okay, I'll mock up 150lbs hanging from the Class III and see how it sits...does not have to be perfectly level, but right now it resembles a '78 Camaro on home-made shackles...