shackle reversal or not? need opinions

[justinfonder]

alright, so as my build goes on, i keep changing my mind because i want to go bigger and badder than what i have. I feel this is an illness that most jeepers are afflicted with. I first tried out a 2.5" lift with 32x11.50s, it wasnt enough. then i tried a 4" lift with 33x12.50s, and i'm still not happy. Through this I have not done a shackle reversal and i've kept the 2" wide springs up front.

So, now i'm in the process of acquiring Dana 44s (scout/waggy). Will be built with locker and 4.10/4.27/4.56 gears and put on 35x13.50s. Now to the thread title, When i outboard my springs and switch to the 2.5" fronts, should i do the shackle reversal? Would like opinions/arguments as to why/why not and pros/cons of each, from the experts(you guys) perspective.

I do mostly sand/mud and some rough trail riding. I drive this thing pretty hard on and off road. I street drive it alot right now, but that will probably, and unfortunately, be reduced once i do this upgrade.

Also, if I use YJ springs, how many inch lift springs should i use to be equivelant to a 4" lift cj spring? i've read that the 2 are different? (i.e. 2.5" yj lift = 4" cj)? I figure the new shackles/outboard setup will give me an inch of lift plus 4" of spring lift. With cut rear fenders and tube front fenders, i should be able to clear the 35s with ease.

thanks for the insight guys.

 

[Old Dog]

This has been discused here a bunch, do a search.
It's about 50/50 with people here, so take your choice.
IMO it's no. I'm just not a fan, I've seen to many people do it and than go back to the shackles in the front.

 

[Incommando]

Migh be the most commonly asked tech question so there is plenty to read without going through this again

 

[justinfonder]

Migh be the most commonly asked tech question so there is plenty to read without going through this again

sorry for my ignorance, i posted the thread and then started really delving into the research. think i decided to stay with the stock shackle location, waggy 44s, and 4.5" rubicon express YJ leaf springs.

 

[csuengr]

To get 35's on my CJ, I have 4.5" YJ springs and one inch body lift. 4" YJ equals 4" CJ.

 

[BusaDave9]

Yes, we have gone over this many times without ever getting a consensus. I don't like shackle reversals.
Here is one of those threads: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/shackle-reversal-kits-5258/

Here's more info about the problems I have had with a shackle reversal: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f104/busadave9s-79-cj5-13135/#post104332

 

[AussieCJ7]

sorry for my ignorance, i posted the thread and then started really delving into the research. think i decided to stay with the stock shackle location, waggy 44s, and 4.5" rubicon express YJ leaf springs.

Thats my exact setup you can see how I did the outboard in http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/out-board-spring-mounts-slight-difference-11255/

Need to pay close attention to getting the geometry right but well worth it

I can drive a mountain pass at a swift pace one handed, I dont have a sway bar or steering dampners so I am pretty happy with how it drives now

BTW I also started with a scout Dana 44 that I sold but becuase I had a scout rear I wanted to stay 5 on 5.5 so for the front I used knuckle out as Dana 30 parts used the scout axle shafts and the waggy housing with yukon gears and ARB air locker