Shackle Advice..Coachbuilder or ARB?

Installing new OME leaf packs and not sure which shackle to go with. Coachbuilder (aluminum) or ARB which look to be steel construction. Anyone had better luck with either set up?

 

No experience with arb but coachbuilder is a great company and my +3 shackles were solid

 

The OME leafs give a decent amount of lift (2 - 2.5) depending on what you’re carrying; you’ll want to factor that in along with the CoachBuilder shackles.

 

Yes also worried about that. I think the pack itself will give me the lift I need to be at so I'm not looking to go too much more. Bed work load is usually 200-400lbs. I planned on the +1 shackle which should be 1/2" more lift only. I'm not even sure I should change the shackle but I feel like I need to with the new springs being installed.

 

I recently replaced mine with CoachBuilder but didn’t replace the pack. Based on the condition my shackles were in, I would have replaced them. It would have been OME which have the grease zerks or there are a few others that retain stock length.

 

The Total Chaos 3/4" are steel. But it sounds like you really don't need to replace them.

 

Do you carry a full size spare under the bed? If so the coachbuilder shackles limit how big the spare tire can be. I think people can fit a 35 inch in stock form. I have a 33 and it rubs the shackles. I bent the spare tire guide brackets and put a shim in between the tire and trailer hitch to push the tire towards the front. It gives me a little room. I love the coachbuilder shackles but if I had to do it again I would go with steel for clearance.

 

Those can also be relocated forward. But the rivets are a bitch to remove.

 

I like that! I may look into that

 

Nice, thanks for the post.

 

Honestly I'm not sure. After looking at the bolts for the original shackle I figured it would be a safe to have them new during the install in the case that they don't thread well. I don't want the truck sitting on Jack stands in the garage for a week waiting on new shackles.

 

With the original shackles I ended up being high enough and I'm sure the leaf pack will settle down some but I did notice a better ride quality already and I was able to keep the trd away installed which I was told would be a 50/50 shot. Thanks for the help.

 

Post some pictures and measurements.

 

Wish I would have taken some pics before install but did not think about it. I do remember being at least 1" lower in the rear and now I have 42" rear and 40" front to bottom of fender. With weight on the truck its leveled out even.