[anestech*]

Blocks? AAL? Shackles? New spring pack?

New spring pack is over kill for my wants/needs. I need to do this faily cheaply. Probably the best option, but not one in my case.

I know blocks are bad, but at only this height, is it that much of an issue?

AAL will stiffen the ride, which I don't really need/want. I run mostly empty for now, and will be keeping the stock TRD shocks.

Shackles are good, but I hear they will accelerate leaf wear, or flatten leaves more quickly (but our leafs are pretty flat already).

Soooo, which is the best option. I'm leaning toward shackles, but not commited, yet...

 

[GreenTaco4x4]

I would go with AAL or Shackles, Shackles being the cheapest and keeping the ride nice.

 

[anestech*]

My jeep buds are all telling me to run blocks. I know that blocks can be problematic with taller lifts, but what would it hurt to run a small block? Most of the full size heavy duty full size trucks run a small block from the factory...

 

[atwinda]

Blocks? AAL? Shackles? New spring pack?

New spring pack is over kill for my wants/needs. I need to do this faily cheaply. Probably the best option, but not one in my case.

I know blocks are bad, but at only this height, is it that much of an issue?

AAL will stiffen the ride, which I don't really need/want. I run mostly empty for now, and will be keeping the stock TRD shocks.

Shackles are good, but I hear they will accelerate leaf wear, or flatten leaves more quickly (but our leafs are pretty flat already).

Soooo, which is the best option. I'm leaning toward shackles, but not commited, yet...

Get the Deaver 3 leaf AAL. You remove the overload leaf from your current pack, and put in the 3 new ones, and you're set for 1.5" of lift. It's not your convential stiff aal.

Blocks cause increased leaf ware, along with axle wrap, and shackles beat up your leafs as well.

 

[rojodiablo]

My jeep buds are all telling me to run blocks. I know that blocks can be problematic with taller lifts, but what would it hurt to run a small block? Most of the full size heavy duty full size trucks run a small block from the factory...

I would stay away from a block on this truck. The fullsize have a much larger leaf pack, and resist axlewrap better. If you want to save some dough, mix up your leaf pack by buying a few individual leafs, and add them in.A new centering bolt, and some new u bolts, and you are on your way. It's in here somewhere... do a search!!

 

[rojodiablo]

My jeep buds are all telling me to run blocks. I know that blocks can be problematic with taller lifts, but what would it hurt to run a small block? Most of the full size heavy duty full size trucks run a small block from the factory...

I would stay away from a block on this truck. The fullsize have a much larger leaf pack, and resist axlewrap better. If you want to save some dough, mix up your leaf pack by buying a few individual leafs, and add them in.A new centering bolt, and some new u bolts, and you are on your way. It's in here somewhere... do a search!! Besides, blocks are UGLY. That's why they are a Jeep thing

 

[GodwinAustin]

Get the Deaver 3 leaf AAL. You remove the overload leaf from your current pack, and put in the 3 new ones, and you're set for 1.5" of lift. It's not your convential stiff aal.

Blocks cause increased leaf ware, along with axle wrap, and shackles beat up your leafs as well.

I would second the Deaver 3 leaf....many people like that setup who are running it...I just ordered one..it gives 1.5".remove your overload leaf, and it allows your suspension better cycling which is a good thing.

Shackles are nice - but if you will be towing or carrying any loads you dont want them.

Traditional AAL is what you want if you want lift AND you will be towing carrying heavy loads - your ride will be stiffer if you care about that type of thing

 

[Live4yotas]

Just save up the money and get a new leaf pack. B/c if you use shakles or blocks your springs are going to wear out faster and you will be stuck buying a new leaf pack later. I had to after running a 3" block. I now have supposed to be 8" lifted ALCANS but turned out to be 10" of lift or better. The ride is like axles welded to the frame. So make a choice and good luck with it.

 

[anestech*]

Anybody out there run the Wheeler's AAL? How is the ride with it and stock TRD shocks? I am liking the Deaver 3 leaf AAL, but it is $170 vs about $80 for the Wheeler's single leaf one. Again, I run empty most of the time, and only 2 dirt bikes and gear (6-700 lbs) when loaded.

 

[4xClover]

Blocks? AAL? Shackles? New spring pack?

New spring pack is over kill for my wants/needs. I need to do this faily cheaply. Probably the best option, but not one in my case.

I know blocks are bad, but at only this height, is it that much of an issue?

AAL will stiffen the ride, which I don't really need/want. I run mostly empty for now, and will be keeping the stock TRD shocks.

Shackles are good, but I hear they will accelerate leaf wear, or flatten leaves more quickly (but our leafs are pretty flat already).

Soooo, which is the best option. I'm leaning toward shackles, but not commited, yet...

Go with the shackle - you will get more flex from it. Like you said, stock leaf packs are already flat.

 

[anestech*]

Well, now am beginning to think and AAL is best. After looking at just how flat the stock leafs are, and how much the overload will come into play during normal driving, I think that adding soem curve to the spring will probably make the ride better, even though an extra leaf comes into play (because is is A LOT thinner than the overload).

But, by that logic, the single leaf might be a BETTER ride than both stock AND the 3 leaf. As long as your aren't using the overload (ie not heavily loaded) with the AAL, one more leaf should ride better than 3 more. And, if you were loaded, the stock overload will probably handle it better than the 3 leaf AAL would.

Obvisously, the 3 leaf probably has a thinner leaf for each one as compared to the single leaf, which could make it better riding empty. But, maybe not, because it has to be strong enough to make up for the lack of overload.

Or, maybe I am just overthinking this...

So, right now, I am leaning toward the front Donahoe spacer (99.9% commited to that) and the single Wheeler's AAL. Unless, someone can convince me that the 3 leaf Deaver is $100 better in ride quality (ie, they have had both, and REALLY like the 3 leaf better, with stock shocks)

 

[atwinda]

Unless, someone can convince me that the 3 leaf Deaver is $100 better in ride quality (ie, they have had both, and REALLY like the 3 leaf better, with stock shocks)

My truck had a fabtech AAL, now has a rebuilt pack. my friends truck has a deaver 3 leaf AAL. The 3 leaf is for sure worth the cash. The ride is comparible but not quite, to and entire new pack.

 

[anestech*]

My truck had a fabtech AAL, now has a rebuilt pack. my friends truck has a deaver 3 leaf AAL. The 3 leaf is for sure worth the cash. The ride is comparible but not quite, to and entire new pack.

Damn, I didn't really want someone to say the more expensive part was better.

What about the single leaf AAL vs stock? Much stiffer, softer, the same?

 

[nhlbill]

Damn, I didn't really want someone to say the more expensive part was better.

What about the single leaf AAL vs stock? Much stiffer, softer, the same?

I'd go with the Fabtech 205 AAL. It's cheap and will last quite a while even on your flat springs. Then when you have the $$$$, go with some Deavers, Alcans, OME, or Allpro replacement packs.
Ive got the OME packs and the ride is better than stock and they flex awesome, but they are $350.00-$400.00 too.
You did say cheap, so go with the AAL. Check out www.toyteclifts.com and contact them, I think they will sell you just the AAL.
Bill

 

[anestech*]

I'd go with the Fabtech 205 AAL. It's cheap and will last quite a while even on your flat springs. Then when you have the $$$$, go with some Deavers, Alcans, OME, or Allpro replacement packs.
Ive got the OME packs and the ride is better than stock and they flex awesome, but they are $350.00-$400.00 too.
You did say cheap, so go with the AAL. Check out www.toyteclifts.com and contact them, I think they will sell you just the AAL.
Bill

I wasn't saying that my springs were flat, just that the stockers are flat in general. I think mine are pretty good. If anything, my front end seems lower than other Tacos (of course, all I seem to ever see are prerunners, and it might just be the weight of the diff that makes mine lower, although the coils are different IIRC).

But yeah, the Wheeler's AAL is sounding pretty good right about now.

 

[anestech*]

Does anyone know if the wheeler's AAL is a longer one? I've been reading about a bunch of the shorter ones breaking (pro comp, downey, etc). I'm guessing that it is, since wheeler's seems to know their stuff.

Does anyone with the wheeler's AAL have a pic, either installed, or not?

 

[oatmeal769]

I've searched a bunch and this is the most relevant thread, so to resurrect...

Don't laugh!
But ever since I was a kid, I've always kinda liked the raked look. Not like a cheap hot rod, but maybe just a rear lift of like an inch or 1.5 inches. - No bigger tires, Just barely noticeable.
I use the 4 wheel drive function about once a year on dry pavement just to see if it works, so I have no use for a 'real' lift, and I'm more into performance than big tires, so I'm a total neophyte on lifts. I know I don't want to sacrifice ride quality, and I tow or carry stuff once in a while.

If I go with a small leaf spring kit like the Donahoe 1.5 kit, I'm assuming I'll need different shocks, and some kind of drive shaft adjustment because of the angle change right?
I'm not looking for what I can 'get away with' for a year or three, but how to do this correctly the first time so as not to have trouble in the future with U-joints, shocks, etc. can anyone point me in the right direction? I don't even know what to search for regarding rear only lifts...

 

[mojavegold]

OK, for starters, this is an 07 truck. It uses reverse shackles, so no shackle lift for this one, that I am aware of. IMO you will not like the single AAL after a while. I ran one, they are not the devil, but there are better riding components out there. Flame away, but a 1.0 block won't hurt. Especially for what you are doing with the truck. You might want to pony up for the deaver 3 pack.:2cents:

 

[ben76]

I ran my stock rear shocks for about a year with it lifted 2" in the back. I was planning on replacing them sooner but never had any issues and forgot about them. If you are not doing any major offroading and flexing then the stock ones will work. As far as the angle of the driveline, with only 1.5" you should have no problems.

 

[TacoCrazy]

Get the Deaver 3 leaf AAL. You remove the overload leaf from your current pack, and put in the 3 new ones, and you're set for 1.5" of lift. It's not your convential stiff aal.

Blocks cause increased leaf ware, along with axle wrap, and shackles beat up your leafs as well.

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