Hi-Ya LVRockCrawler,
I would suggest caution as regards modifications of the bump stops of your Jeep.
The purpose of bump stops is to prevent drivetrain damage -- not to prevent tire rub.
Why do we even need bump stops, anyway?
When the rear suspension is under compression from the neutral position, the length of the driveline must decrease. When the rear suspension is under extension (droop) from the neutral position, the length of driveline must increase.
That driveline variable length is achieved by means of the driveshaft slip joint.
As the rear suspension cycles through compression, neutral and extension, the sliding section of the driveshaft is reciprocating: that is, the forward end of the driveshaft is continually approaching and moving away from the transfer case output yoke.
The driveshaft slip joint has limited allowable travel, however.
The bump stops limit how far the drive shaft can slide forward when the rear suspension is under compression by limiting vertical travel of the rear axle.
If the bump stops are removed or shortened, it is entirely possible that the driveshaft will slide too far forward when the suspension is under severe compression. If that happens, the allowable travel of the driveshaft slip joint is exceeded and the drive shaft becomes a fixed length pipe. The front end of the driveshaft then crashes into the transfer case with great force.
That is a bad thing: a bad, bad, bad thing. :roll:
The sound you hear when that happens is the sound of money being sucked out of your bank account to pay for very expensive replacement driveline parts.
So...why bump stops?
Simple: they safeguard your bank account by limiting forward travel of the driveshaft.
:wink:
Regards,
Gadget