Shackles or AALs?

Hey guys glad to find this board to stay in touch with everyone. I almost shat myself when I saw the original board had crashed. Anyway, do you guys recommend shackles or AALs for the rear? I'm looking at AC's stuff, 1.5" shackles or 2.5" AALs. I'd like to get the leaves for that extra inch. I would also need 3 or 4 degree shims. Any ideas? Also does anyone have any experience on the ACTUAL amount of lift obtained from AC's stuff?

Deavers! prg!

I'm wondering the same thing.

Mini Deavers PRG witha a 3 degree shim. MC

I know this has been covered before but since I can't search, lack of info, where do you get the Deavers? I assume they are better than shackles. What spacers would you use with them? Calmini or Top Gun? Or is there something better? (other than coilovers)

prgproducts.com for the deavers

the top gunz customs spacers off ebay are cheaper ($100 shipped) then the calmini ($170 not shipped) and it seems people are pleased with them

It really depends on what you are looking for.

For lift and stiffness I would go AAL.

For lift and articulation I would go Shackle.

For a mix of both I would go with both (obviously keeping both to a minimum so you can match the front.

With the AAL you gain lift in the rear by stiffening the leafs. This allows you to haul more weight and the rear does feel mushy in turns. But, it limits your articulation because the leaves are stiffer.

With the Shackles you gain lift in the rear by changing where the leaf springs attach on one end. Since you are not changing the spring rate, the ride feels the same as stock, the vehicle just sits higher.

With our Xterra's what I found was that our springs are really soft and with just the shackle lift, I did not like the mushy feeling in the rear end in turns. But at the same time, I wanted to maximize my articulation. I went with both Shackles and AAL. The advertised total lift being 3", but I am sure I am getting less than that.

I took my trailer hitch off for a better departure angle (I was pulling rocks out of the ground the last time I was out) so I won't be hauling anything. I'm thinking shackles are a better idea for me, I wish that sticky about all available lifts was up on this forum!
I would go with the PRG pack but I'm just doing the most inexpensive lift I can right to give my 35s a little more breathing room... The long travel lift will come when the money does...
I'll let you guys know how the fitment of the 35s goes (i.e. how much of the front end I have to chop).

It's not the front you have to worry about with 35's, it's the rear. The wells are just not large enough. You also can not chop the fenders as the doors are there.

I really can not see how you are fitting 35's with just a shackle lift. Good luck trying though.

Also, I would put that hitch back on. It will save your rear bumper and tail pipe. My stock rear bumper was badly smashed up and my tail pipe was smashed closed before I got my hitch.

I'll think about the hitch, I'm planning on getting a custom exhaust fabbed with a turn down so I don't have to worry about smashing the tip. Also 35s WILL fit. PonyBoy is stuffing 37" (actual diameter) IROKs in the rear of his. I have done extensive measuring and am purchasing custom backspaced steel wheels for proper fitment. Someone's got to be the first to try this. The front is going to require extensive trimming on the rear of the fender well.
If the 35s absolutely will not fit I can just return the one I have and go with the tried and true 33s. I'll keep everyone updated (hopefully on the original board soon).

Pony is fitting 36's (I think) and it took a SASed X to do it. But like I said, good luck.

Muzikman wrote:

Pony is fitting 36's (I think) and it took a SASed X to do it. But like I said, good luck.

Thanks, I'll keep you posted for sure.

Here is Ponyboy "stuffed".



The only reason he can do that is because he is sitting probably 6+" over stock.

Here are 33's stuffed with ~3" of lift (1.5" AC shackles / 1.5" Calmini AAL).

As you can see, the X with the 33s has plenty of room in the rear wheel well for a tire that is 2" larger in diameter and 1" wider (with proper BS wheel). I'm just gonna go outside and mock up my tire on my car to show you what I mean, thanks for the pics though!
BTW, specs for Pony's tires from Interco's site:
36x13.50-15LT Iroks
11.0 Tread Width
36.8 Diameter
14.5 Section Width
15x10 Measuring rim
My tires are 34.6x11.8 on 16x8 rims. His tires are a good 2" taller and 3" wider than mine.

My 33's (in that pic) rub on the frame when flexed and they are only ~11.5 wide. They also hit the fender if they are aired down any more than 15psi.

Im really happy i went with the topgun costumz spacers. They gave me a bit more lift than the other spacers do. Same with my deavers. More lift than just a shackle. But it also adds to the functionality of daily things. You can hold more weight with the deavers. I also left my overload leaf in. I know prg says not to, but when a spring shop says its ok, ill go with them.

Leaving the overload spring in doesn't hurt anything.

Most people that wheel a lot take the overload spring out just so it doesn't get hung up on things. It really doesn't do anything, besides sit there and look pretty, until you completly flatten your spring pack.

Edit:
Do you have any UCA contact in the front? If you are getting more lift any the calmini spacers, I would expect a good bit of contact as the calmini ones seem to bang a lot.

Im actually suprised....I was expecting some sort of noise form contact. But i have yet to hear anything.

Just need to hit the pot holes going a bit faster.

As promised, here are my mock up pics from today:



Fully stuffed rear suspension:

Of course trimming on the rear of the front fender is going to be necessary.

Thats a pretty magical X you have. DONT NEED WHEELS!

Haha yea its pretty boring, but its a part of my life. I'm actually glad I waited to mock up the actual tire to my X before getting wheels, I'm probably going to get a deeper BS now which will result in less trimming of the fenders.

You got new tires........and no wheels? So what wheels are you getting? Lets see a link to those.

Tech 1 16x8 Black steel wheels. 6/5.5 bolt pattern (I'm using 1" adapters all around). Wheels: