Shackles? Add a leafs? Lots of weight

Hey All,

I am building out my truck into a camp rig with a slide in camper and want to level it and maybe add an inch of ride height to the rear. With this much weight (1.5k lbs) what is my best option for durability? Shackles, add a leafs, or ride height adjust shocks?

I currently am running 275/70/18rs and ride rite airbags to help with the weight. I do not plan to crawl this rig but it will definitely be seeing lots of rough mountain pass roads and plenty of washboard.

Appreciate the beta.

 

Shackles are great, but all they really do is push the truck frame away from the axle housing. So there will be that much more gap in between the bump stop and the axle. I think a better bet would be and add a leaf or new custom spring pack built for the extra weight. Shocks won’t lift the back of the truck. If you do lift the back, get some extended shocks to account for the extra height. I guess you could go with shackles, but I suggest adding some Daystar cradles for the bags with added spacers to account for the lift of the shackle. The cradles allow the bags to have a cup to sit in and not be directly connected to the frame and axle, allowing for articulation while off road.

 

I’ve been contemplating this too. But think I may have my (future) solution. Currently running CB+3 shackles with some Fox 2.0’s. My hopeful plan was to look into the Deaver U-748, and switch to the toytec shackles just because it’ll be easier to get a spare underneath. I think in the rear I’m about 1.75” lift now, and if I go my planned route that should put me between 2”-2.5” according to the Deaver specs? I’ll have to obviously switch out the Fox too.

You may not need to go the route I’m going, but 15whtrd had some good points. I’m just tuned in for advice too

 

How do you know if you need new bump stops?

 

get a leaf pack from Deaver. Either custom weight or their generic U748. Add TC or MCM shcakles and some superbumps/durobumps while you have the leafs out.

 

New leaf pack and airbags. My stock leafs sag with are topper, decked, and kayaks on top. Airbags greatly help to bring it back up.

 

Do you mean if they are worn out? Or do you mean if there is too much space between the frame and bump? If it’s the latter, I think about it all the time LOL since I added shackles the leafspring has to go that much further before contact with the bump and frame. In turn, the leaf springs are flexing beyond what the engineers design them to do before contact. I assume if I was carrying weight often I would prematurely wear out the springs. Someday I’d like a trailer or maybe even outfit in the back of my truck more for over landing. I’ve thought about adding super bumps with a shim to accommodate. I’ve also thought about getting some Timbrens along with the cradles and using super bumps in their place until I haul a load , like a trailer or camping setup. Another option would just be custom leaf pack or add a leaf. Too many goddamn options! And not enough money!

 

Have they made the durobumps for the rear yet?

 

Curious, Would lots of extra weight have any adverse affects on the rear axle — specifically bending axles at the flange etc. by overloading? I wonder about this when I haul firewood in my gen 1

 

Yes not worn out but I added CB shackels and the 6112s in front at highest setting so was wondering of tha the stock bump stops are not going to help anymore

 

You definitely still need them. The springs are just stretching a little further to come into contact with them. But think about it, if you added +2 shackles, which are basically 2 inch longer shackles you have affectively lifted the truck and inch. So they just have to stretch an inch further to make contact with the bump. But I guess you also gained some extra articulation LOL

 

This. I have a 2019 Crewmax on 285/75R18s, 6112s up front on top setting with shims for level, coach builder +3 shackles in the rear with Icon rear shocks, decked system, Leitner Designs Rack system with gear pods and rotopax. My back end was sagging a good two inches. I installed airbags and absolutely love them. Around town I run them around 10-12 PSI, then when I load up everything, I adjust as needed on the fly.

Now if you are always going to have your truck rigged out and it is a secondary vehicle, look at the Icon adjustable leafs or the Deavers. But I love my airbags daily.

 

The bumpstops should stop the leaf springs from going past flat.

Yes, stock bumpstops allow the leaf springs to go past flat.
This is typical of OE leaf springs on most trucks due to the spring over design and low ride height.

 

Thanks guys for the input! So far my airbags are working great but I don’t have the cradles yet. Does anyone have issues flexing the rear axle too much and missing the cradles as it unflexs? My bud with his taco seems to do this daily.

 

I have the @Coachbuilder1 ones and love them.

https://shop-coachbuilder.myshopify...ilder-airbag-spacer-kit-actual-thickness-1-50