Why shackles instead of blocks

I have seen the question “shackles or blocks” posted many times and the majority of folk seem to recommend shackles.

My question is, why are shackles better than blocks? (If blocks are better, why?)

My truck is sitting level with 2” lift in the front and stock rear. I only want to raise the back an inch for a bit of rake and to help compensate for weight when towing my popup trailer. (I think that AAL would be overkill for what I need).

Appreciate any help.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/block-or-shackles.10164/

 

Thanks, Matt. I had seen this thread and it really did not answer my question. For lots of towing I would be looking at leafs or airbags but only tow a little popup 1-2x per year and I do not want a harsher ride for times that I am not towing (or loaded). The shop that I have do my suspension work says shackles are not good (something about rotating the axle). An inch is not much so maybe in this case it does not matter much?

 

I got shackles because I’ve read blocks are not good for off reading as they can shift. Not sure how much of that is true, but I wasn’t gonna take the risk.

 

An inch isn't going to hurt a thing. I have a shackle and "add a leaf". I prefer AAL myself. Not a fan of blocks at all.

 

sr5shark, That's a good question . I believe blocks will flatten your springs over time . That's why it's not recommended to install them if your off roading .Shackles will also flatten over time, but are the better choice from what I've read. I went with a 1 " tapered block because I'm just cruising the streets and shouldn't run into any problems . Springs would be the best set-up, but more pricey of course.

 

I’ve seen some people talk about hown shackles have caused their springs to have negative arch or the spring to become flat. I wouldn’t know how true this is but that’s what I’ve seen. I don’t think a minimal size block is the worst thing in the world. I would suggest a wedged one to help keep your driveline angles. I think blocks of been known to cause wheel hop as well as creating a weak point. I would be hesitant to put anything over 2 inches for block. But still I don’t know myself as I have used neither LOL this is just my understanding of the two. Personally I’m probably going to go add a leaf or complete new leaf springs when and if I ever do it.

 

Add a leaf and/or new springs is the best bet. You can order your own and install youself. Go to Youtube and search for Tundra Spring Change Out and sort through the choices until you find a good video.

 

If you pre load your springs with too much lift with shackles then yes your springs will flatten out under heavy load. For this to happen to have to have a heck of a lot of pre load with the shackles and a really heavy load. ToyTec's and CB's shouldn't be an issue under normal circumstances...

 

YEP! YEP! YEP! YEP! YEP! YEP!

 

I guess you would need to have bump stop extensions to make it correct?

 

Couldn't hurt. Something I'd like to do at some point.

 

I bet the Superbumps would be perfect.

 

Blocks are stupid and for douches that just want a huge truck that don't actually use their truck for truck stuff.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the axle wrap that they cause either.

 

I mentioned it In a wheel hop sorta way. Whenever I see people with giant lifted trucks I know they are usually useless. But there are some that are done right. I know I cringe when I see a 6 inch block under someone’s truck.

 

Is that why you’ll see those big ladder bars on big lifted diesels?

 

I switch from a 1" block to a 1.5" toytec shackle about two weeks ago. The difference thus far has been significant. With the shackle, the back end ride smoothed out quite a bit - it used to hop real bad when hitting small bumps. My leafs were pretty damn close to flat, plus the 1" block is 1" of less upward travel room for the rear before hitting the stops. In the cinders at T2S, I nearly did a nose dive in some whoops because the ass end of my truck couldn't keep up with the front.

Blocks are a quick way to add height, but coming from someone who has had both, save yourself the trouble and go with a shackle. Even if you don't do much off roading. The on road ride quality is better with a shackle, too.

 

6in block
A buddy of mine had a similar set up in his old Furd Bronco. The ride in that thing was So bad. My brain felt like jello for two days

 

I forgot to mention, I have a 3/1 pro comp level kit for sale if anyone's still interested in going the block route. pm if interested

 

I think I screwed myself ! I have a Block, AAL, Shackles and Airbags !!

 

You can help me Chris, only because I like you ! lol

 

Thanks all for the responses – this is very helpful. I work from home and only drive ~6K per year. Most of that is city driving taking the kids to/from school/sports. Finding the best way to lift for how I use my truck is taking a while. (Don’t want the suspension so stiff that the kids are bouncing up and down rattling their brains on the way to school.) In the short term I think that shackles are the way to go and later I will look at AAL or new leaf packs.

 

Any particular AAL anyone recommend?

 

I've been trying to figure out how to level the rear of my truck for a couple weeks now. I got a 3" lift up front after installing Fox 2.5 coilovers...I only asked for 2" and my shop didnt measure the amount of lift before they installed. I've been driving it at 3" up front for a few weeks and I kind of like it. The guys that run the shop are cool and are going to give me a good deal on labor to level the back and fix the issue, but I'm just not sure which route to go.

I was thinking of getting a 1" leveling shackle in the back, but I have the TRD dual exhaust...so it's my understanding that shackles cannot be installed due to the exhaust being in the way, which is a huge bummer cause I'd rather have shackles than rear lift blocks.

-Is this true regarding the TRD exhaust not allowing for any shackle?
-has anyone installed shackles with the TRD exhaust or what other options would people recommend?
-is a 1" lift in the back enough for a 3" lift up front or should I go 1.5" in the back?

 

A AAL, "add a leaf" could solve your problem. ICON AAL for example.

 

good to know. I talked to my shop about this already and they said it would be easier to do a shackle or block since adding a leaf messes with spring rates and such...I have no clue about any of this stuff, so is this true and do I need to add anything else (like upgraded rear suspension) to compensate? I have the stock TRD bilsteins

 

I have 3.5” up front and a 1” shackle in the rear and wish I had a 2” shackle. I do not like the look of the slight bro lean