Toytec install question.....clarify block or shackles

I'm getting ready to install a Toytec setup this weekend but need inputs on blocks vs shackles. I currently have a 2 inch block installed from the Readylift spacer kit. Here are the options that I need inputs on.

Leave the block in.

Replace with shackles set at 1.5

Replace with shackles set at 1 along with a 1 inch block (if possible to use both together) due to needing the taper for driveline angle.

Replace with shackles at 1.75 and hope its level and not nose high.

I spoke to Wheelers and TT about this and both said that there wouldn't be a difference going from the block to shackles and to leave the block as is. I thought it sounded a little odd so I wanted to get inputs from you guys. My goal is to maintain the 2 inch lift in the rear. I have the 4.6 so it appears that the Alumas will bring me just a touch above 3 inches which should level me out since the rear is just a tad higher currently. Thanks.

 

Are these not adjustable for what you're going to be running in the front? Someone else correct me if I'm wrong, but I've always heard with the rear you want to attempt to lift in this order, leaf springs, shackles and lastly block. If they are adjustable I'd go with shackles and turn down the front just a hair. Best of luck to you this weekend either way!

 

Everyone hates on blocks however, they work fine for the average user an have been around forever. Some say they ride like sh#t bla bla bla. Whatever . Alot of guys prefer to us a shackle for lift, supposed to ride better.I did the Toytec Aluma kit recently. The rear shackle was set at 1" . I felt the back was to low but wanted more then the extra .5 that was left so I threw a 1 inch block in there for 2" total lift.. I could not tell any difference in ride quality an I got the exact height I wanted.. IMO if you want a slight rake like stock you should be at 2" in the back. 1 or 1.5 will be closer to level. I felt 1 " in the back made it look slightly nose high.

 

Thanks for the reply. So right now I'm sitting at 2" with the current block. It might just be me overthinking it trying to figure out if the shackles or shackle /block combo are better than 2 inch blocks. Some say yes, both shops said it doesn't make a difference and leave it. Some say the ride is better with shackles, some say not. It's just confusing and I dont want to beat a dead horse lol. I just want to do everything in one shot before the alignment.

 

I guess the way I see it is. If you don't have any current complaints about your rear blocks then leave them in. This was the first time I had shackles vs block an it wasn't anything like unicorns sh$tting Skittles.. Which is why I went ahead an added a block.. Are there better options? Sure, you could blow all kinds of money on a custom leaf pack.. To me shackle vs block did not warrent the hype. Maybe with the newer bushing it helped the leaf move a little more freely with the shackle. But unless your a serious offroader I doubt you will notice any difference between the 2.

 

Myself and some others on this forum have these 2" shackles. They are great and i have had zero issues. And they are super affordable at $50. If you decide to replace the block with a 2" shackle, here ya go. They also make a 1.5" shackle. @xtyfighterx will agree with me on these.

https://proformfab.com/products/2007-2018-toyota-tundra-1-5-rear-lift-shackle-kit

 

Thanks...yes I have seen him talk about these. The issue I'm having is should I remove the block or is it a waste of time to remove it. I need to order shackles asap if that's the route that I need to go.

 

I wouldn't use both but that's just me. My vote is just get a shackle that is the full length of whatever shackle/block combo you have/want.

 

I don’t see how blocks would hurt the ride in anyway. They will create the higher possibility of wheel hop when the tires are spinning. Also more fatigue on the springs because of all that leverage during axle twist.

 

I did see an old comment during a search about wheel hop. So shackles would be the better choice?

 

Well, from what I’ve read they can fatigue the springs as well. I’m running them, and so far so good. Although I’ve had wheel hop from day one in certain situations even without the shackles. So there’s that! LOL If y’all are trying to keep more than an inch and a half of lift you will need a combination of shackle and block most likely or add a leaf or complete spring pack. Or any combination of the above. I know, it’s a lot to take in to make your decision. Sometimes I want to switch back to a standard size upgraded shackle and either do a add a leaf or complete spring pack. But the spring pack is definitely money.

 

This thread talks about it a lot.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/why-shackles-instead-of-blocks.25912/

Seemed like the answer is that at 1” or 2” there isn’t any harm in having a block. But no harm is one thing, but I don’t think I have ever read where someone stated blocks are better than shackles. The typical response is that shackles are a better option than blocks.

I went through this myself, I have 1” blocks, and plan to replace with Toytec Shackles that are already sitting in my garage. But at the price of some of these shackles when purchased new, it would be almost the same cost as just getting a mini pack/expansion leaf pack.

something I didn’t see mentioned is that coach builder does have the +3” shackles, which provide 1.75” of lift. But much more pricey than the ones mentioned above.
https://shop-coachbuilder.myshopify...ilder-3-shackles-provides-1-75-of-actual-lift

EDIT:
For reference here is the link to the Deaver mini pack that is $229 right now and shipping from this company seems reasonable, was quoted $35 to Bay Area. It doesn’t come with a U bolt kit like the Icon kit, but since you already have extended U bolts with your blocks you should be fine. I am about to pull the trigger on these and run with the ToyTec Shackles set at the lower setting.

https://performancelifts.com/deaver-spring-2007-toyota-tundra-3-leaf-mini-pack-f85.html

 

I have these, 1.5"...They're super beefy, made well and at a great price. Mine were back-ordered when I purchased and they were quick to get on the phone with me to give me updates (being welded, at powdercoat, etc)...all for just a $50 order. I installed the upgraded poly bushing kit also, apparently this helps ride quality a little as well.

 

Do these actually lift 2”?? As I posted above the Coachbuilder +3” shackles only actually lift 1.75”, and I thought these were the biggest ones out there. It would be great if these actually provided a full 2” of lift. Thanks for the info!

 

Yep these are a full 2" lift.

 

Fair warning.....I have the Pro Form Fab 1.5" shackles. Not installed yet. Was going to do my lift last month but the upper bolts for each shackle wouldn't line up!!! The jig must not have been aligned up properly when the shackles were welded up. Partly my fault. I've had these sitting around for months and it never occurred to me to check the fit. Bummer for me but a bigger bummer that Pro Form didn't verify bolt fitment either. I could get these shackles corrected but leery that integrity will be compromised. You get what you pay for. Going with Toytec shackles. Nuke proof. Can't go wrong.
Lose the blocks. Eliminate potential axle wrap issues. Get AAL's and Toytec's nuke proof adjustable shackles. This combo was great on my 07 and should get you the look and ride you're going for. My 2 cents.

 

Lose the block. I did and ride was way better even going up another inch with the shackles

 

Should put the upper bolts in a first then the lower.

 

yes yes yes on shackles !!!!
best ride going !

 

You going to sell your profab shackles? Let me know.

 

Extended shackles change the angle of your leaf springs and flattens them out faster.

 

The shackles are way out of wack. The upper bolts can't be put in. The holes do not line up. If I would have checked them out when they arrived I could have returned them. The shackles are HD but do me no good as is. A coworker has a shop and is going to attempt to fix them this afternoon.

 

That sucks maybe they sent you the wrong application I didn’t have any issues with mine hope you get them to work

 

They are the correct shackles, just slightly off enough so that the upper bolts can't be inserted without stripping the hell out of them. My friend is attempting to correct these this weekend. The alignment is isn't too far off.

 

Any tips on popping the ball joint loose?

 

Wasn't this whole topic about the rear of the truck and blocks/shackles?

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/lca-ball-joint-replacement-on-2007-2nd-and-3rd-gen-tundra.12492/

 

Done