muddeprived
05-16-2010, 01:46 PM
H. D. OFFROAD ENGINEERING LLC — XJ CHEROKEE SHACKLE RELOCATION KIT (http://www.hdoffroadengineering.com/collections/frontpage/products/xj-shackle-relocation-kit)
$145 shipped
I purchased these brackets because my shackle angle was fubar without em. The shackle angle on the rear of the leaf springs plays a huge role in flex and ride quality. A vertical shackle will net a rougher ride and less articulation than a 45 degree shackle. My shackle was actually pulled forward a bit cuz of the rough country 4" springs eye-eye measurement being shorter than stock.
Here's my shackle angle with 4" RC springs:
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7255.jpg
Nasty huh? It rode like a dump truck in the rear cuz of that. I always thought it was the springs until I learned about the shackle angles. So in order to fix that I need the brackets or longer springs, which poor ol' me cannot afford. I ordered them on Sunday and Brian shipped em first thing Monday morning. I got em within a few days. Excellent shipping! :thumbsup:
First thing ya gotta do is test fit em to make sure it fits.
Loosen the leaf spring bolt and then remove the upper shackle bolt. It's important to loosen the lower shackle bolt so you can re-torque it at it's new angle.
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7258.jpg
Directions say to slice up the lower part of the factory shackle bracket so you can bend it straight. The relocation bracket won't fit unless you do this:
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7262.jpg
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7261.jpg
Test fitting the upper piece and it fit pretty good, but at a slight angle. No big deal:
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7260.jpg
There are three pre-drilled holes in the brackets and I needed four for my hitch so I cut the corner out:
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7263.jpg
Once both upper pieces are semi-bolted in, fit the lower piece on and adjust it so your shackle is at the desired angle. I didn't snap any pix of this process but it's very easy to do. Once you got the angle set, you are recommended to weld the pieces together but I didn't want to do this so I drilled three more holes for more bolts. (the center three UFO-style bolt pattern)
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7266.jpg
Test fitting it all together:
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7265.jpg
Once you know it fits and works properly, paint em up to whatever color you please. I chose the hammered finish that I used on my axle:
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7267.jpg
All pretty and ready to be bolted in:
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7269.jpg
$145 shipped
I purchased these brackets because my shackle angle was fubar without em. The shackle angle on the rear of the leaf springs plays a huge role in flex and ride quality. A vertical shackle will net a rougher ride and less articulation than a 45 degree shackle. My shackle was actually pulled forward a bit cuz of the rough country 4" springs eye-eye measurement being shorter than stock.
Here's my shackle angle with 4" RC springs:
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7255.jpg
Nasty huh? It rode like a dump truck in the rear cuz of that. I always thought it was the springs until I learned about the shackle angles. So in order to fix that I need the brackets or longer springs, which poor ol' me cannot afford. I ordered them on Sunday and Brian shipped em first thing Monday morning. I got em within a few days. Excellent shipping! :thumbsup:
First thing ya gotta do is test fit em to make sure it fits.
Loosen the leaf spring bolt and then remove the upper shackle bolt. It's important to loosen the lower shackle bolt so you can re-torque it at it's new angle.
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7258.jpg
Directions say to slice up the lower part of the factory shackle bracket so you can bend it straight. The relocation bracket won't fit unless you do this:
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7262.jpg
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7261.jpg
Test fitting the upper piece and it fit pretty good, but at a slight angle. No big deal:
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7260.jpg
There are three pre-drilled holes in the brackets and I needed four for my hitch so I cut the corner out:
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7263.jpg
Once both upper pieces are semi-bolted in, fit the lower piece on and adjust it so your shackle is at the desired angle. I didn't snap any pix of this process but it's very easy to do. Once you got the angle set, you are recommended to weld the pieces together but I didn't want to do this so I drilled three more holes for more bolts. (the center three UFO-style bolt pattern)
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7266.jpg
Test fitting it all together:
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7265.jpg
Once you know it fits and works properly, paint em up to whatever color you please. I chose the hammered finish that I used on my axle:
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7267.jpg
All pretty and ready to be bolted in:
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/Chriseatsmud/relocation%20brackets/DSCF7269.jpg