Shackles vs Add-a-leaf

[badbronc92]

I'm looking to get about 2inches of lift out of the rear end of my 03 4x4. I was originally planning on doing drop shackles but I keep hearing things that bounce me back n forth. What are the pro's and con's of AAL's and shackles. On rangers do AAL's change the ride back there a lot? I heard that on one guys rig (not a ranger) the ride got pretty rough when he added drop shackles in the back. I dont understand why that would be since to my understanding you're just repositioning the stock leaf springs. any info on the low down of both of these would be appreciated.

 

[legoms013]

AAL:
-The good: they are cheap, lift alot, and add load capacity

-The Bad: Make the truck ride rough and put more stress on existing springs.

Longer Shackles:
-The good: allow you to keep stock ride quality

-The Bad: they only lift half of their extended length (3 inch longer shackle only nets 1.5 inches of lift for ex.).

If i were you I'd go with the longer shackles, and if they don't lift your truck enough get a 1 or 2 inch block.

 

[offroadranger]

and blocks have downsides as well. increased axle wrap for one. they can break and then you have real problems.

add a leaf gets my vote fwiw.

 

[engdept]

-The Bad: they only lift half of their extended length (3 inch longer shackle only nets 1.5 inches of lift for ex.).

I have never seen longer shackles not lift the truck what they are supposed to. If a shackle is 2" longer than the stock shackle, it will lift the truck 2" over what it was with the stock shackle.

 

[offroadranger]

I have never seen longer shackles not lift the truck what they are supposed to. If a shackle is 2" longer than the stock shackle, it will lift the truck 2" over what it was with the stock shackle.

this depends on the angle of the shackle at ride hieght. stock rangers are pretty much vertical so in theory 2" would be 2". not for all vehicles/configurations though.

 

[engdept]

this depends on the angle of the shackle at ride hieght. stock rangers are pretty much vertical so in theory 2" would be 2". not for all vehicles/configurations though.

If you get a shackle for a specific vehicle, then it will be made to accommodate for the angle of the shackle.

 

[badbronc92]

is the shackle install very difficult/ time consuming?

 

[engdept]

It took me and a buddy 30 minutes to do it.

 

[badbronc92]

how much should i be looking at paying for a good set? who's a good supplier?

 

[engdept]

Get a set of BellTech 6400's (They are for dropping a 2wd 1500 Chevy 2", but work perfectly on a Ranger; numerous people use them). They are I think $53 from Summit Racing (www.summitracing.com). They are strong and built to last.

 

[brendank]

I have never seen longer shackles not lift the truck what they are supposed to. If a shackle is 2" longer than the stock shackle, it will lift the truck 2" over what it was with the stock shackle.

What you're saying is impossible, unless you also moved the other leaf spring mounting point down as well. It's simple math, really.

 

[Toreadorranger]

What you're saying is impossible, unless you also moved the other leaf spring mounting point down as well. It's simple math, really.

I wouldnt try and argue with him hes going to blow up and tell you your wrong, but this is true when you add a longer shackle it changes the shackle angle and will net you have the extended length in lift. aka 2" longer 1" lift.

 

[Chris.S.]

The shackles I put in my truck were 2" longer then stock and my truck (measured at the wheel well) was lifted 2".

Just saying.



The shackle install was stupid-simple and hasn't the ride quality one bit.

 

[engdept]

I wouldnt try and argue with him hes going to blow up and tell you your wrong, but this is true when you add a longer shackle it changes the shackle angle and will net you have the extended length in lift. aka 2" longer 1" lift.

I sure am glad you are smart and know it all. If a 2" longer shackle doesn't lift a truck 2", then how does the BellTech 6400's work? They are the same design of the stock shackle and are 2" longer, yet they lift the rear of a Ranger or Bronco II 2"; hmmmmmmmm.

 

[offroadranger]

I sure am glad you are smart and know it all. If a 2" longer shackle doesn't lift a truck 2", then how does the BellTech 6400's work? They are the same design of the stock shackle and are 2" longer, yet they lift the rear of a Ranger or Bronco II 2"; hmmmmmmmm.

Dude! your your the know it all!!! My god. If you take a stock shackle and extend it 2" you will NOT get 2" of lift. This is what people are saying. This is because of two things: the angle of the shackle at ride height and the fact that the front of the springs are pivoting on a fixed point and your only raising the rear pivot. So the center, where your axle is, will get half what the rear has been lifted.

Im out of here. Your smart alec remarks and the mods failure to care have turned me off of this site.

Peace.