Tex06 Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Was under the rear end today changing the rear end fluid and had questions. It looks like I have small lift shackles (That's what they're called I think) from JKS. Any idea how much these are giving me back here? The rear bumper is attached to these shackles.... is this stock? I'm leaning towards no. And finally, wanted to confirm that I have stock 3.07 gearing. D44 rear end, have the tag but it's pretty trashed. Here's the ring gear though: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 43 divided by 14 = 3.07. That's your axle ratio. On the shackles, what's the distance between the upper and lower bolts, center-to-center? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex06 Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 Center to center is 5". Thanks Eagle. I knew one of those number sets was it. Does the shackle height directly equal lift height? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 http://comancheclub.com/topic/48372-a-little-rear-shackle-info/ FWIW, those JKS shackles are installed facing the wrong way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex06 Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 http://comancheclub.com/topic/48372-a-little-rear-shackle-info/ FWIW, those JKS shackles are installed facing the wrong way. Ahaha....I'm not surprised. From what I read on your link, it looks like the F-150 shackles are 4.4" center to center (which is about 1/8" longer than stock) putting my shackles about 5/8" longer than the originals. If installed correctly, any idea what this correlates to in vertical inches? I'm thinking not much... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex06 Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 According to JKS they're correct. Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Those JK shackles are for XJs and will give an MJ ~1/4" of lift over the stock shackles. The reason the PO drone installed them "backwards" on the MJ was so you could grease them. I'd either reverse them and drill and tap another 1/4x20 hole for a Zerk fitting, or junk them and install the F150 shackles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 According to JKS they're correct. Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk Those are XJ shackles, based on the instructions. Look at photos of stock MJ rear shackles, and don't go by what some aftermarket company suggests about installing on a different vehicle. Although, according to the facory manuals, the orientation should be the same for the XJ and the MJ -- and it would have the flat with the decal facing rearward, not forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Do I hear an echo?? :rotfl2: :rotfl2: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Do I hear an echo?? :rotfl2: :rotfl2: Probably. Courtesy of the Department of Redundancy Department. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989 comanche mj Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 The flat stock from bumper to shackle is not stock, and yes the shackles are on backwards. Thats the good axle but a terrible ratio. I think the carrier change is up to 355. I went with the detroit true track, the one with worm gears inside, works great. The factory trac lock is weak the spiders teeth crack off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schardein Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Carrier change on a Dana 44 is 3.73. New carrier needed at 4.11 and numerically lower gears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Carrier change on a Dana 44 is 3.73. New carrier needed at 4.11 and numerically lower gears. Not necessarily. You can use "thick" gears and keep your TracLok or whatever carrier. Works well. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex06 Posted March 20, 2017 Author Share Posted March 20, 2017 Those are XJ shackles, based on the instructions. Look at photos of stock MJ rear shackles, and don't go by what some aftermarket company suggests about installing on a different vehicle. Although, according to the facory manuals, the orientation should be the same for the XJ and the MJ -- and it would have the flat with the decal facing rearward, not forward. I'm seeing that. The instructions are pretty clear on which way they want them to face though. The engineer in me wants to know why they specified the decal forward instead of just "match orientation to OE". The only difference in operation I see would be slightly lower stance and a possibilty of "bottoming out" if the springs were severely flexed. And as Don pointed out, yes you would be able to grease them which is a big deal for me. Unless someone can point out something I missed, I think they'll stay in this configuration. At least until I start going skyward with the suspension :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex06 Posted March 20, 2017 Author Share Posted March 20, 2017 Carrier change on a Dana 44 is 3.73. New carrier needed at 4.11 and numerically lower gears. So if I go 3.73, I can use same carrier, correct? And I'll need a new carrier for the D30HP up front I believe. Edit: I'd like to buy this kit if it'll do both front and rear. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/aly-360027/overview/ Or Revolution has a similar kit for $435 with thick gears for the D44 and a carrier for the D30. Any thoughts on either? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Those shackles are installed the right way. Yeah, I just said it. They're curved, and have the reinforcing piece on the front, because on an XJ you have clearance issues against the bumper mount bolts and the channel that makes up the rear crossmember. You could flip them, but it wouldn't make any difference to anything, other than causing you a bunch of work. It would not affect height, the shape of the shackle does not matter, only the centerline hole to hole distance. You should be able to snake a grease gun into there either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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