93Xtra-Cab

I know at some point I am going to lift my truck with BJ spacers and I was wondering what would be the better option to lift the rear to compliment them, an AAL or lift shackles? I was thinking that if I decided on the shackles then I can just make them myself. I just thought I'd ask you guys opinion before I made a final decision.

I tried searching for previous threads on this, but came up empty. All helpful opinions appreciated!

abecedarian

I thought BJ spacers were for adding travel, not lift?

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Some pros and cons below:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...es.shtml#FAQ14

Ball joint spacers can provide lift as well as added travel, all depends on where you set the torsion bars to.

BMcEL

Goes without saying but the best option is lift springs.

Add-a-leafs are usually not a good idea...they can cause the leaf springs to 'W' due to the shorter and stiffer leaf. I ran them for about four years and finally removed them but my springs are permanently deformed.

Shackles are ok but you have to watch the pinion angle. Too much and you will get driveline vibrations.

If cheap is what you're after, I'd go with blocks.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

A soft add-a-leaf (similar in thickness to the existing leaves) is OK, it is the short/thick/stiff AALs that will cause problems down the road. Rancho used to make a soft-ride AAL kit (not sure if it is still available), but it was a 2-leaf kit, one long/thin/soft leaf and one shorter/thicker/stiffer leaf and it worked very well, lots of options with swapping or adding leaves.

And shackle induced pinion angle changes are easy to fix:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...es.shtml#FAQ12

22repower

iTrader: (1)

I really like the way a set of zuk coils turned out, and I would also recommend against the short aal, they ride like crap, and then they ride worse as you wear them in.

93Xtra-Cab

I'm considering the zuk mod, too. I was going to include the zuk mod in this thread, but I thought that was more for helping sagging rears, rather than general lifting. Now that you said that, I'll take everyones opinions of the zuk mod in addition to the other two.

New springs are definitely the best option, but this is mainly about lift options that don't involve new springs.

I've never heard that add a leafs cause W-ing of the leaves. But it does make sense.

Regarding the lift shackles, what is the general lift limit before running into problems like driveline vibration?

I've never really like blocks. I have never liked them because they cause axle wrap.

Thanks for your responses guys!

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

You can find out about that from the link I posted above. Depends on the type of drive shaft you have and what the angles look like currently. Assuming a u-joint shaft, you'll see about 1* pinion angle change per inch of added shackle length:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...FixingProblems

A good way to go is to add a soft AAL spring and see what that does lift-wise. Then if a little more lift is needed, add a slightly longer shackle. This works better than trying to get all the lift from one method (short of new springs).

ddv1126

How big is the stock shackle on my first generation 4 runner. I did the zuk mod but still need a little more lift. What size shackle should I be looking for?

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Stock:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...es.shtml#FAQ10

Length vs. lift:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/Shackles.shtml#FAQ4

ddv1126

Thanks.

liveoffroad

as people have said, stay away from stiff AAL's. cheapest and best way to do an add-a-leaf is to buy some used stock toyota leaves and ad 1 or 2 leaves to your current pack. as people said, this will also increase your load capacity if your hauling a lot. could make it ride a little rough though if you dont have a lot of weight in your truck. i helped my buddy do this on his 97 tacoma nd it rides awesome, but he's got a heavy bumper and a topper so it all comes down to how much weight is in your truck
shackles are cheap and easy but can cause vibrations if your pinion angle is off.

SHINE RUNNER

as for the bj spacers when i had my ifs crap i liked them after i upgraded the tierod ends.i did longer shackles in the rear with an addaleaf it sucked so i went back with an inch longer shackle and 4" leafsprings.it all depends on how much lift your going for but using a better leaf spring is the best option

Buck87

I added a long toyota truck leaf, 6" shackles, and 33" tires no problems.

ddv1126

How bad will adding a 5 inch hole to hole shackle effect my pinion angle. Will it be noticeable.

SHINE RUNNER

i wont affect it. you will just have a little difference in shackle angle . to me it will do better as in giving more travel as the leaf spring compresses the shackle moves back alittle farther instead of a factory shackle moving all the way back and the spring hitting the frame. i have always added a longer shackles but staying under 6"s and never seen a decrease in pinion angle or any change that i can remember

WODAYODA

im looking for lift in the rear, would it be best to just add some more toyota leafs to it, i haul gear and crap around a bit to some weird spots and would like the truck to feel more bomber.

Buck87

Why are you adding lift?

WODAYODA

[YOUTUBE][/YOUTUBE]i bottom out wheeling empty ha

Buck87

Yea, those things always sag. Add one or two Toyota truck leafs to get some arch back in those babies.