rear leaf spring height with shackle or without?

I installed the toytec shackle at the highest setting a few weeks ago and when installing them I noticed my leaf springs were already starting to "W". So I've been looking at new leaf springs and need to clear something up for my own understanding.

Deaver U748 vs Atlas expedition pack

I can't seem to find payload specs for the atlas packs, but they do allow me to get my rear lift height from the leaf springs themselves instead of the shackle, which if I understand the way this works... is better than an extended length shackle.

The Deaver would require a shackle to maintain lift height (at least I don't see a lift height option on MCM's webpage) and my payload would be lower than what it is with factory springs. I don't see a way to increase payload with deavers.

I don't tow much, but during hunting seasons I have 300-750 pounds in my box fairly frequently and that's when I'm doing a majority of my off-roading. Other than that everything else is my daily driver around town. Sometime in the future I'm also looking at either a Four Wheel Camper or some type of in/over box sleep system. But I'm probably a year out from that. FWC would likely require airbags.

It looks like I have to pick to some degree...off-road performance or payload capacity...if I have to pick payload due to weight and future added weight...am I better off doing OEM springs with an add-a leaf than any of these performance type options?

Which set up (even if it's one I didn't list) would fit my use the best?

 

Check out the icon rxt leaf springs

 

How do you like the ride with the shackles?

 

Honestly it's hard to say. I put 2.5" resi's in the rear not long before I put the shackles in. I noticed a huge difference from the shocks... Haven't noticed a big additional difference with the the shackles. Bed bounce is still there but less than it was. I attribute that more to the shocks though.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to shackles on mine soon. Resi's are nice but they are expensive and overkill for me I think. I may just get them anyway lol.