3/3 Lift

Hi all. I have a 3/2 lift using 2" blocks in the back. I recently added Airlift 5000s to help with ride quality while towing. It stiffened up my non-towing ride a good bit (even un-inflated) even though I am using the cradles in the bottom instead of bolting top and bottom. I believe the cause of this is the internal jounce bumpers in the bags being higher than the stock ones. I am debating adding Toytec shackles in the rear at 1" to hopefully help improve this. I cannot find any images with 3/3 lifts though, and not sure how I'll like it - the rake might help with the tow too....I am already swapping out my 7-hole Blue Ox shank for a 9-hole to help lower the ball so height shouldn't be a problem. Has anyone done this or otherwise have input? Obligatory pic attached.

 

Remove the rear blocks and put in a shackle that will give you the 2 inches of lift. It will ride much better.

 

I thought of that - but my ride was actually decent before adding the air bags. I think the problem lies in the ability for the suspension to travel to the jounce bumpers in the air bags. If I do go this route - do you know of a good source for new u bolts for spring packs?

EDIT to add: I have Toytec BOSS shocks in the back too.

 

I just thought of something. I think that picture above is aired up and is higher than my normal stance. If I want to know how it looks I can just air up my bags to be an inch higher . I think it will look pretty good. basically a 3" lift with factory rake. I'm hoping this is a truly my do-it-all truck.

 

also considering getting the shackles and 1.5" blocks; then installing the shackles at the 1.5" setting. wonder if that would have an even better improvement. would love any more informed input

 

Yea the airlift bumpers suck ass. Your issue is your block lift doesn't gain you any clearance where the air bags go, they move the axle down but the air lift mounts to the leaf spring, as above dude said you're better off getting a longer shackle (or taller leafs) and remove the block all together. I got longer shackles and it helped a lot. Additionally, I pull the fuse on the air compressor (assuming you have the wireless one like I do) and then crawl under there and physically disconnect the air line from the bag. It takes less than a minute to connect/reconnect the bags since they're quick connect fittings, and even with the bags at "0-5psi", the system will still build pressure as the bags compress. People/Air lift say the bags should always have 5psi in them, but after 3 years and towing multiple times a month and disconnecting the air lines when not towing, I've had no issues with the system holding pressure or the bags being fine (it's not like they're crumpled up all the time, they're stiff rubber). With the air lines off the bags are free to fully deflate, combined with lifting the suspension instead of just a block lift so there's room for the suspension to compress before hitting the jounce bumpers, and that will help your ride a TON.

 

I'd need a hell of a shackle I think to get over my current 2" of lift. I went airlift because they seemed more bulletproof having the bumper. If I had known I was going to go cradles anyways I would've gone firestone I think. I ran lines to the bumper and manually fill. I can probably get away with 0 PSI like you said, but I run at 5 and it's still stiff as hell. My other problem with some of these bigger shackles is I would need to ensure I can still fit my 35" spare under the bed.....

 

I used 2" shackles and 1" blocks... My truck rides just like stock.

 

I don't have any good pics handy, but I have the lift you're contemplating. I have a 1" block, and Toytec shackles, combined with firestone airbags and daystar cradles. Before the lift, the firestones were really harsh in the rear. After the lift, the ride went back to better than stock...and when towing, I can drop some air in the bags and it's dead stable. Highly recommend it.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. That had me leaning towards the smaller block and Toytec set at 1.5...Just another $100 and more work

 

I talked to David @Toytec Lifts and hes not thinking it will make much of a difference whether I have the shackle at 1" and my existing 2" block or go with 1.5" block with shackle at 1.5". OME Dakar pack was something else I was considering but I'm not sure that will help my ride quality unloaded. I am going to just order the shackles and install them at 1".

 

I am running 3/3. I have falcons in the front with Coach Builder Spacers and Dakar springs in back with Coach Builder +1 Shackles