Which lift to get - getting rid of 1.5" shackle lift and add-a-leaf

[John Strenk]

Yes I had a 1.5' shackle lift and the wheels would not center when i took my hand off the wheel. Much better with the 1/2" shackle lift and the 2-1/2" 4WD Hardware lift and 1' body lift.



33X12.5"

[pooforbrains]

My 2 cents worth. Extended shackles have more leverage and add to the wandering feeling. Arched springs due the same thing. Urethane bushings are stiffer and will help a little. Having the shackles in the front adds to unwanted leverage and movement. The actual lift gained from extended shackles will only add about half the difference in shackle height. My last cj7 came with 4" springs extended shackles and urethane bushings that had been burnt with a torch. 33/12.50/15s. I literally couldn't keep it in one lane above 35 mph. The 70 mile trip home was very long and a little scary. I did a home engineered shackle reversal. Moved the axle forward about 2" and the steering box to match. This centered the front wheels in the wheel wells very well. Put a fact sway bar back in, it was missing, and it drove great at 80 plus down the freeway and tracked good through the rougher roads as well. My biggest complaint was that the arched springs in the rear would push the tires into the quarters and cave them in when off roading. Flat springs would not have done this. If I were to do another I would go for the flat YJ springs. Do a spring over axle in the rear. A self engineered shackle reversal in the front with urethane bushings and extended shackles if needed, no more than 1 1/2" shackle height, to level it out. The shackle reversal will add some height and by building it myself I can control how much. Keep the sway bar, add quick discos if needed. I built my own. Add a steering box brace and good steering damper. Don't forget that tire quality can also play a big role in driveability.My last cj is the pic in my sig. I'm not the biggest fan of body lifts but 1" seems reasonable and your original bushings probably are shot and squished as mentioned earlier.

[pooforbrains]

I added the aluminum, stainless ,top and paint.