[wallster]

I've got a '93 YJ and the previous owner had put 31" tires on it. They
do clear but are only about an inch (or so) from hitting the fenders
(flares). I'm using this jeep as a daily driver and most likely wont
have it off road (maybe a trail here or there, I wanted it for going
through snow and having a convertible in the summer)
I have two questions:
1. I'm going to use a 1" shackle lift set up (i understand that two
inches makes one with the other end of the leaf remaining in the
original position. Besides the steering caster needing a possible shim
adjustment, any other problems? (brake lines long enough?)
2. I have a friend who can laser cut .375" steel so i'm going to make
them myself (i'm a good tig welder and i'll use grade 8 hardware) but
is there a difference between the front and rear shackles? (I dont have
the vehicle here so i cant just run out and look) I've seen shackles
online and some specify a front and a rear set and some dont.

Thanks in advance.

walt

 

[amerijeep]

If you lengthen your shackles without installing longer springs, your looking at a very rough ride. This will flatten your springs out. I'm not a fan of the shackle lift anyway. Sometimes it makes a jeep look strange. I think the best combo to accomplish what you want is about a 2.5" sping lift and a 1.5" shackle lift. This should give you the clearance you are looking for.

I have 31s on my 94 YJ and don't have a problem with rub except on the front traction bar a little. Adjusting the bump stops will fix that, but I just try to be careful. Don't want to loose my turning radius.

As far as I know, the same set will work on front and rear though. Keep us updated on what you do with it.

 

[amerijeep]

Walt, you ever thought about just trimming your flares? I have been thinking on this for awhile.

 

[4Jeepn]

Your brake lines should be fine with a minor lift. Having owned a few leaf spring jeeps in the past, I have had a few different sets of shackles on with stock to 4" springs. I would say bolt them on and see how it drives. I do agree with AmeriJeep that some shackle lifts just don't look right, too long etc. Another thing to consider is, do your stock springs need replaced, are they the factory ones or after market? If they are the factory one's I would guess since 93 they have flattened out a bit. Thus new stock springs might solve the issue as well. But at that point the money to go to a 2"- lift is about the same so you many want to consider that too. Good luck!

 

[amerijeep]

4jeepn brings up a good point. The springs may need to be replaced. If you go with a shackle lift, I'd go with something mild.

 

[wallster]

Made 'em then bolted 'em on

I have a friend that works at a machine shop and he runs a big laser cutter, he cut out the parts for me. I welded them together, then bolted them on to the YJ. I think it's perfect, gives me an extra inch of wheel to fender clearance (not to mention they only cost me about $10. to produce)
Here's a site of my jeep under construction.
http://www.wallys-speed-shop.com/hotrods1.html
It should be completely done within a week or so.
walt

 

[amerijeep]

Man. That looks great. Good job!

 

[JeepCrawler98]

Man that's awesome! Wish I had buddies with CNC laser cutters

 

[wallster]

i agree, that guy has cut out all kinds of stuff for me. Here's a mini-bike chopper i made from spare parts. He cut out the triple trees for the front forks.

I've also lucked out on this jeep. I know another guy who owns a collision shop (and builds stock cars), he's been letting me use his shop and all his tools to restore the wrangler.

wall

 

[amerijeep]

What can I say? I'm jealous! Anyway, your jeep looks really sweet. Bike is cool, too.

Jerry

 

[wallster]

What can I say? I'm jealous! Anyway, your jeep looks really sweet.

Jerry

As does yours! (eye strain looking at the pic though)
This is my second wrangler, i should have kept the first but i get tired of stuff too fast, i think there's a clinical name for this.

wall

 

[wallster]

Man that's awesome! Wish I had buddies with CNC laser cutters

checked out yer site and you're over the edge with that jeep! great pics. Looks like a WHOLE LOT of fun.... nice.

 

[4Jeepn]

Those are great looking!

 

[scyroc]

I just bought a 1995 yj have the 31's on it an I want to go a litter bigger tire up to 35 can I go with a 4 inch lift spring to achieve this

 

[WranglerJR83]

I just bought a 1995 yj have the 31's on it an I want to go a litter bigger tire up to 35 can I go with a 4 inch lift spring to achieve this

A 4" will get you to clear the 35s, but not by much. You won't get a whole lot of flex before you start rubbing. I have 3.5" fabtech springs and 1.25" shackles and trimmed flares and I'm still a little close at some spots. Here is a pic of mine on new 35" MTR Kevlars.