AAL & Shackles

[rikguy]

I had this in the WTB but, had no responses. So ... I'll buy new but, will this work out for me ? ...

I'm looking to buy a single AAL and shackles for my 96 xlt. I thought that I'd check here before ordering new.
I want to move up to 31" tires. Currently my back end is about 1 1/2" lower than the front so, I'm hoping the aal will level me out and the shackles will give me the clearance. Then I can level it all out with a torsion twist.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

31s you should be able to fit no problem, especially in the rear. But if you take a look at my Explorer...it looks higher in the front (no TT) and we put a level block on it and it was as level as could be. So don't let your eyes misjudge you. Good luck

-Drew

 

[rikguy]

thanks. I'm not trusting my eyes. I measured the clearance, that's how I know that I need 1 1/2" to bring the back level with the front. I figured it would be easier to replace the shackles and install an AAL at the same time instead of 2 different installs.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

My bumpers are different heights. Still level though!

-Drew

 

[SilverBullet]

I noticed my rear end looked low, too.. but then I noticed the rear fender things (Eddie Bauer) are lower than the fronts are. So, it was an optical illusion.

 

[rikguy]

Hmmm. I was measuring from the top of my rim to the wheel well opening. I didn't consider that the openings may be different sizes. Where can you measure to check if you're level ?

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I am guessing you can measure from ground to bottom of frame (but the frame also has lower parts (just stay near the middle!) But I think your best bet would come from a leveling block - just put it up on the side step or somwhere flat, and see what you got. Good luck

-Drew

 

[Jester1994]

Look at the link in my signature, my truck has 31 BFG's, shackles, add a leaf and a torsion twist. My rear was sagging a bit befor eI did this, now I am VERY happy and at first you could see that the rear stood up higher for a mean stance. It is almost level now after the add a leafs settled a bit.

 

[sk1er17]

I always recommend double AAL's. The single ones have a tendancy to wear out.

Id do the double AAL's and the TT, and dont put the shackles on unless you need to.

 

[Bronco638]

For the time, money and effort involved with the double AAL, you could do the F150 leaf spring mod (and maybe even save some $$). And, yeah, stay away from the shackles, they add instability which your Ex doesn't need.