Tevett Goad

So, continuing my apparently endless questions. I was looking at RE's Driveshafts and they're not list in relation to lift size. What length do I need for a 3.5in lift?

NewKindOfClown

Depends on your driveline and how much lift you actually get. The truest answer is: You need a driveshaft that's the right length for your Jeep at ride height. The most accurate way is to measure it.

sycoglitch

Yup, what Clown said. Sometimes you get lucky and can use a regular XJs front shaft. Sometimes you don't. Best bet is to measure yoke to yoke and then go from there.

Tevett Goad

Well, that kind of sucks. So once everything is together, my jeep has to be down till the cv shaft comes in...and i didn't even think about the front driveshaft needing replaced, so thanks for that heads up

SteveMongr

May be able to use your stock front driveshaft for the rear after the SYE is installed. It was a perfect fit for my XJ so I just sourced another front shaft to use permanently.

sycoglitch

this is what I used too. would carry a spare when i was more active so i can replace either front or back.

Basslicks

Well where the **** have YOU been?!?!

Tevett Goad

Sweet, thanks for the input guys. So i was looking at a rubicon express lift, and it mentioned something about needing pinion shims if i install a CV driveshaft. Is it really needed on a 3.5in lift? If, so what exactly are they and what do i need to know about them?

TFitzPat87

With a SYE and CV shaft installed, you want the axle yoke to be point at the TC output shaft. The shims attach to the under side of the leaf springs and angle the axle upward (or downward if necessary) so that the axle yoke is pointing in the proper direction.

This should help as a visual...

salad

If you don't have the stupid "external seal" slip yoke, just put it in 4WD and drive around with only the front axle live. Instant FWD!

+1

Tevett Goad

Thanks, thats definitely helpful. So, it seems there are multiple​ degrees of shims. Is this another put it all together, and figure out what I need after the fact?

Haha, thanks salad, I didn't think about that

salad

Unfortunately yes. Much like the final lift height, it's very difficult to predict the final pinion angle. It's affected by the leaf spring's shape and length, and the shackle length. Something like shackle relocation boxes will move the shackle around, too, so that changes things. This is why a 3" lift is not the same as a 3" lift in this regard. Of course leaf springs flatten out when compressed so if you have a ton of weight in the rear all the time, the pinion angle will be different! (That's one reason you aim it slightly under the transfer case yoke when you use a CV shaft, but some weight is static like an offroad bumper with a large spare tire and can be assumed.)

No problem, works like a charm I can't remember which year XJ transfer cases started coming with the internal seals, I think it was 1995 or 1996. Earlier than that the driveshaft slip yoke is machined, and the transfer cases' seal rides on that. Remove the DS and ATF just spills out the back. Brilliant design...

sycoglitch

Just been around doing my thing mostly.

texasfan1085

Ok I'm new here this my first post I've had my cherokee since 2009 with little to no problems a few weeks ago I smell musty smell after been locked up all day in 90° weather pulled my carpet soaked and floorboards rusted out.

We'll today as I was cutting out the rust notice my leaf shackles are rusted so bad that half an inch or wider chunks are scaling off my problem is the lift was on it when I got I know it's skyjacker from shocks and and looking at other parts of it best I can tell it was installed in 2003 or 2004 when it was rebuilt. It appears to be 3.5 or 4 inch lift comparing it to buddy's xj with 6 inch lift. So what length shackle do I need the back lift is from blocks and add a leaf I think.

Any help would be very much appreciated thanks a head of time for the help and sorry if I'm in wrong section for this.

SatiricalHen

Anyone know what length my sway bar end links should be at for 4.5" lift?