how long is the rear spring shackle on 6.5" lift

[man of la manche]

I was giving the 88 mj (Operation: 33DD) I just picked up the once over this morning and it looks like the 5.5" or 6.5" rough country lift kit that was "installed" was only half way done. From poking around the rough country website I saw that their kit includes a longer shackle in order to accommodate the rear lift, along with moving the axle under the leaf spring.

 

The axle is still over the spring and I was just wondering if anyone new how long the shackle for the rear spring should be?

 

If it turns out that the shackle was installed then I will ho ahead with moving the axle, if it wasn't installed then I will probably be returning the front end to stock height, as I still have all the stock parts for the front suspension.

 

If no one knows how long the shackle should be then could anyone at least tell me the distance between the top of the rear axle housing and the bottom of the frame. Knowing that should at least give me an idea as to where to go next.

 

Thanks

[mvusse]

Stock MJ shackle is 4.25" center to center on the bolt holes. If the front is lifted 6.5" and the rear is at stock height, the truck would sit a LOT lower in the back than in the front. Longer shackles won't lift the truck all that much. I'm running 7.25" shackles and they look LONG. As in "Holy long shackle Batman!" long. And they only lifted the rear about 1.25". Spring over axle flip usually nets about 6.5", but you say you're still axle over. Most likely the original leafs have been re-arched or you have after market lift leafs.

[man of la manche]

thanks, the back of the truck is almost two inches lower than the front, but the shocks in the back were never replaced, the shocks up front are new however

 

its obvious that i have a lot of work ahead, but the truck cost me less than $400 CDN

[Motion Offroad]

Rough Country shackles have 2 holes in them for the lower mount. If the one's installed have 2 holes than they are aftermarket. If they do not; and look stock and measure what Marcel stated above than you most likely have the factory one's still.

[man of la manche]

I took the time to look when I got home from work today, even though its slightly colder than a witches t*t in November, but not cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey, and the verdict is: stock shackles, I am going to follow up with rough country and see what I can do about ordering the "missing" parts, I think it will be to get the lift finished as opposed to going back to stock

 

thanks for your help guys