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Shackles vs Blocks

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by twhittle14, Dec 17, 2017.

  1. Dec 17, 2017 at 8:53 AM
    #1
    twhittle14

    twhittle14 [OP] New Member

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    Hi all, I'm new to the forum and have a few questions about lifting the rear. I've had my tundra for about a year now and want to start making a few modifications to it. I'm leaning towards a 3/1 leveling kit, probably Toytec, but am struggling on deciding whether to use blocks or shackles in the rear. The last truck I had was lifted with blocks in the rear and I never had any problems, but after reading a lot of posts, it seems like the majority of people recommend shackles, so I have a few questions:

    1. Should I use blocks or shackles? I'm only looking for 1-1.5" of lift in the rear and do minimal towing and off roading.
    2. Can I still use my stock shocks or do I need longer ones?
    3. If I decide to go with shackles, should I replace the leaf spring bushings? If so, how difficult is it?

    Any other insight would be appreciated. Thanks.
     
    GNTundra likes this.
  2. Dec 17, 2017 at 9:00 AM
    #2
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Chillin' in Alamosa

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    ToyTec adjustable shackles are a great option. Easy to install although swapping out OEM bushings can be a pain if you want a new set of bushings from TTec.
     
  3. Dec 17, 2017 at 9:02 AM
    #3
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Chillin' in Alamosa

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    I meant shackles not shocks. My bag.
     
  4. Dec 17, 2017 at 9:02 AM
    #4
    Casper3

    Casper3 New Member

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    CB Shackles and definitely replace bushing's
     
  5. Dec 17, 2017 at 9:20 AM
    #5
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    Welcome Matt. If your truck is new I, personally, wouldn't replace the bushings. I used Toytec shackles and an Icon leaf pack to lift the rear.
     
    twhittle14[OP] likes this.
  6. Dec 17, 2017 at 9:24 AM
    #6
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Chillin' in Alamosa

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    Agreed^^^^ My Tundra was almost ten years old. Made sense to replace bushings although the nifty bushings sold by ToyTec do help with eliminating binding that can cause bed bounce....
     
  7. Dec 17, 2017 at 9:24 AM
    #7
    twhittle14

    twhittle14 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the quick replies! So I should go with CB shackles over Toytec shackles? Any major differences? My truck is a 2015 so bushings are only a couple years old. Is it worth the hastle to replace them? What's wrong with the stock ones?
     
  8. Dec 17, 2017 at 9:32 AM
    #8
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    That's an excellent point that I didn't know. Thanks Matt
     
  9. Dec 17, 2017 at 9:43 AM
    #9
    Casper3

    Casper3 New Member

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    Stock bushings aren't poly and believe the sleeve is knurled on the ends creating some binding, can't go wrong with either shackle.
     
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  10. Dec 17, 2017 at 9:46 AM
    #10
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Chillin' in Alamosa

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    Those OEM bushings do suck. One came out fairly easy. The other one was a real beeyatch to knock out but then again those bushings were in there for a long time.
     
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  11. Dec 17, 2017 at 9:50 AM
    #11
    TheBeast

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    I just went through that and decided to upgrade the rear with new leaf pack from Deaver + shackles from MCM. I was more interested in a comfortable ride than height but I did gain about 1" in the process. A quick way to lift the rear is a set of shackles however it's better to pair it with better leaf pack that the stock one.
     
  12. Dec 17, 2017 at 10:26 AM
    #12
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Chillin' in Alamosa

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    even better^^^^^^
     
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  13. Dec 17, 2017 at 10:28 AM
    #13
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Chillin' in Alamosa

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    Both are good shackles. OEM shackles look totally wimpy placed next to both.
     
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  14. Dec 17, 2017 at 10:35 AM
    #14
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    Shackles are better than blocks. New leafs are better than new shackles. Your stock leafs will eventually get flattened.
     
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  15. Dec 17, 2017 at 11:04 AM
    #15
    twhittle14

    twhittle14 [OP] New Member

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    Can I still use the stock shocks after I raise the rear 1-1.5" or will I need longer ones?
     
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  16. Dec 17, 2017 at 11:07 AM
    #16
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Chillin' in Alamosa

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    I'd get a decent aftermarket shock designed for that lift. See ToyTec
     
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  17. Dec 17, 2017 at 11:12 AM
    #17
    TheBeast

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    as you can tell from the answers, do it once, do it right ;)....the mods bug about to bite you :)
     
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  18. Dec 17, 2017 at 11:15 AM
    #18
    twhittle14

    twhittle14 [OP] New Member

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    Oh it's definitely already bitten me! I spent thousands on mods for my last truck and have a feeling I'm going to do the same on this truck.

    And yes I completely agree - spend a little more time and money and do it right the first time
     
  19. Dec 17, 2017 at 11:30 AM
    #19
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    2"CB shackles, bushings and 1 shim, lockerdown console vault, rear folding seat back mod, snugtop shell with opening side windows, 46g fuel tank, SDHQ sliders and hidden winch, Decked Drawers, Alcan leaf springs and got rid of the interior chrome
    In the picture, that is a CB shackle on the left and a factory shackle on the right. Either CB or Toytec are good improvements. I have CB.
    1449E0A6-509A-4030-B09C-56D8E0573F2D.jpg
    The stock bushings are locked into the eyes and do not spin freely. This causes some wind up of the rubber in the shackles that can contribute to bed bounce. The beefier shackles flex less side to side improving ride a little bit too.
     
  20. Dec 17, 2017 at 11:37 AM
    #20
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Chillin' in Alamosa

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    Which ever ones you go with, remember to keep the old ones. Take them apart. They make really good light or CB mounts.....................
     
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  21. Dec 17, 2017 at 12:01 PM
    #21
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Chillin' in Alamosa

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  22. Dec 17, 2017 at 12:44 PM
    #22
    nowayout

    nowayout New Member

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    You can also get a set of Bilstein 5100 rears off Amazon for like $70 each.
     
  23. Dec 17, 2017 at 1:39 PM
    #23
    twhittle14

    twhittle14 [OP] New Member

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    Wasn't planning on spending any more money but that price is tempting... are the Bilsteins a huge upgrade from stock? Will I be able to tell a difference in both ride quality and performance?
     
  24. Dec 17, 2017 at 1:45 PM
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    TheBeast

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    do you have the black ones or yellow ones right now ?
     
  25. Dec 17, 2017 at 1:48 PM
    #25
    twhittle14

    twhittle14 [OP] New Member

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    I haven't checked but I'm almost positive they're black. I feel like I would have noticed seeing yellow shocks the last time I looked underneath.
     
  26. Dec 17, 2017 at 1:50 PM
    #26
    TheBeast

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    ok so you have the basic ones vs the yellow TRD ones. Yes the bilstein 5100 will be a nice upgrade.
     
  27. Dec 17, 2017 at 2:02 PM
    #27
    twhittle14

    twhittle14 [OP] New Member

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    Yeah I'm not TRD so I don't have the yellow ones. Just ordered Bilstein 5100's for the rear. Looking forward to seeing the difference over stock.
     
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  28. Dec 17, 2017 at 2:13 PM
    #28
    zcarpenter92

    zcarpenter92 Yotas and Yellow Jackets

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    I bought Toytec shackles for mine, haven’t installed yet. Somewhere down the line will likely upgrade the leaves if needed and just put the shackles at the 1” setting.
     
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  29. Feb 14, 2018 at 10:28 AM
    #29
    pschiller86

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    Do shackles help compensate for weight that is added to the bed? For instance a RTT or heavy towing?
     
  30. Feb 14, 2018 at 10:37 AM
    #30
    joonbug

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    No, the leaf springs do.
     
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