Toytech Shackles with new bushings

Quick question. I just bought Toytech Shackles. Can I install those with my stock leaf spring bushings, or do I have to replace them with the Poly-bushings they sell with the shackles?

 

They will ride better with the poly bushings.

 

I installed Toytec shackles on my 2014 in 2015..
It didn't make sense to replace 1 year old bushings and the PITA it takes to swap them.
The shackles have no idea what your bushings are made of..

I can't see changing those bushings out making any difference in your ride..
Rubber or poly, they do the same job..

Whatever shocks you are using will have much more impact in your ride than changing your leaf spring bushings from rubber to poly..

Welcome to the forum..

 

Thanks. I bought the new bushings with the shackles, but I really don’t want to go through the trouble of renting a ball joint press and getting those bushings out if I don’t have to. I will probably just throw on the new shackles and save the bushings for a day when I’m bored and want to hang out under my truck for a couple hours.

 

You WILL want the poly bushings.They do make a difference. The OEM's are press fitted in and the ends of the OEM bushing center pins are serrated and dig into the shackle when tightened. They simply have no give or play to them and DO contribute to the bed bounce affect irregardless of how good your shocks are. CB and Toytec offer the poly bushings. I think Camburg does too. There is a reason and it's not for looks. The pushed in polys with the non serrated center pins have give and play to them. Not even remotely similar to the OEM bushing functionality. My 07's ride improved with the polys and just got polys installed on my 14 with my Pro Form Fab shackles. A no brainer for me. There is a good reason why many of us make the switch to polys.

 

They obviously know more about it than I do.
But I never bought the poly bushings.
I didn't want to go thru the hassle of swapping them out.

if you already have them, and your truck is a few years old, maybe swap them out while you have it all apart..

 

Thanks to the OP for the question. I was wondering the same. So sounds like you don’t necessarily have to replace the OEM bushings, but it may make sense to do so.

I’m contemplating a shackle lift, but I’d like to know what I’m getting into before I attempt a bushing replacement. While I’ve replaced leaf springs and done a leaf-under on other vehicles in years past, I’ve never done shackle bushings. My search skills aren’t the best. I’ve only found a couple Tundra bushing swaps, but they weren’t that descriptive. Is the Tundra process similar to how it’s done in the following video?

https://youtu.be/jrqm9Yke4kM

 

A wheel bearing press works too. You don't have to remove the leaf spring to press out the bushing. As you can see with the right tool it's fairly easy.

 

Yeah, one of the videos I saw had the leaf spring still in place. I have a ball joint press I could always use. I was just wondering how involved the process was and if there is that outer metal sleeve pressed in like in the video I posted - likely from a completely different vehicle, too. From what I’ve read in other posts on here, though, some struggle with the bushing while others don’t. I guess if I decide to go that route, I’ll see what’s in store with mine.

 

Most folks here that have struggled didn't use a press. The press will push the tunny bushing out in one piece for lack of better word.

 

It’s hit or miss whether you’ll run into problems - using a bearing press helps. Some have had problems removing the factory bushing where the rubber separates from the outer sleeve and they have to cut out the metal sleeve. On my 2019 the factory bushing came out in one piece and I used a press but it took some effort. Once they’re out the shackle install is a breeze. No need to remove the lead spring.
And the poly bushings make a big difference.

 

Anyone here know if Old man emu yellow poly bushings will work with Toytec shackles?