my buddy has a 87? jeep laredo and he wants to add shackles and hes heard both build your own and buy some. which would he be better off to do?

Does he have fab skills? If so build em, it's not hard, if not buy some.

You're not talking about lift shackles though are you?

go to Lowes, buy 1/4 inch flat bar 2 inches wide, cut it with a torch or sawzall, and drill your holes with a 1/2 inch bit then grind the ends round..good to go. I just made some that are 1 inch longer than stock so help my lift springs compress without going into a bind.

I just got some www.ruffstuffspecialties.com , very happy with them.