Torsion Twist?

[Robert]

The Autozone shackels were a little over $11 for the set that I bought about 16 months ago. I have had my Explorer on 4 or 5 very rough trails since I put the shackels on without any signs of failure. I have also been off-road another 5 or 6 times on more mild trails.

The Warriors are definately more beefy and for the $55 probably make more sense if you go to remote locations. I don't typically wheel alone, however if a shackel breaks on the trail, it will end your trip. Since you said that you don't do any real 4 wheeling, they would probably suit you fine. You said you mainly want them for show. If that is the case, the Warriors look a lot better. That is the only reason I am going to swap mine for the Warriors. With my body lift, my shackels are very visible and they look kinda cheesy. I want the more rugged look of the Warriors.

Next, if you decide to go with an add-a-leaf and shackels you will probably need longer shocks. It will be like you are letting your rear shocks out 3 to 4 additional inches. Your shocks won't have much more travel and will probably limit your suspensions ability to drop. To find out put everything on and then jack up your rear by the frame. See how far the tire drops, then remove the shock on the side you jacked up. If it drops further then you should get longer shocks. The shocks should not prevent the suspension from extending.

Finally, if you have a 2-door, there are no add-a-leafs available for your mono-leaf. Several people have swapped the Sport's mono-leaf for a 4-door leaf pack which would get you around that limitation. Bye the way, shocks do not provide lift. All they do is dampen sudden shocks from the suspension. Unless of course you get air shocks and fill them way up. But then again, they would loose their ability to dampen shocks.

 

[adambone]

I was wondering how much lift I could get out of the add-a-leafs (or is it dependent on the type and number I put on?) Sorry if these seem like dumb questions, but like I said, I'm new to the suspension side of all of this. So assuming that I can get about a 3" overall lift in the rear with the shackles and leafs, and a close-to-2-inch lift in the front because of the tt, will I be able to fit some 32's that are 11.5 wide since I don't really do any hardcore offroading (due to the limitations of my 4x2)? Also, will just about any local shop be able to do the add-a-leaf (I'm almost positive that anyone can do the tt, just so long as they have access to a good jack)?

 

[adambone]

Also (sorry about all the questions, but you guys have been incredibly helpful here), would you recommend a particular kind of shock? I've been told that the Bilsteins are very good, and that the Edelbrock's are very good too, but they seem to be awfully expensive! Last time I checked, a bilstein would cost about 75 bucks per shock! Are there healthy alternatives too these prices? and just to be really stupid here and show my ignorance.... what exactly would I order to account for the lifts?

 

[Fantasymon]

As far as having to get new shocks if you do the combination, I am not sure that just any shocks will work. You may have to get longer shocks. They are going to probley me more expensive. You are probley better off just doing the shackles. Then go to Pep Boys and put some Gabriel VST shocks on. They will cost you about $130 with installation. If you have the money then go for the bilsteins but I dont think it is worth it.

If you do get 32X11.50 I am almost positive that you will need new rims. These will give you about a 2.4 inch lift. (I know because my tires are equel diameter.) Look at my pics in my signiture.. Thats about how high yours will be with the shackles and the 32X11.50. Of course your 11.50's will be wider than my 10X50's and also stick out much farther. I have Cobra-r rims and they keep the tire pretty far under the wheel well so thats why my tires dont look too wide.

Like Robert said, shocks (even longer ones) dont give you any lift.

I am not sure how much lift the combination will give you. Go for it if you want, but you will have less problems with just the shackles.

Im not sure about local shops doing the TT and the add-a-leafs. I found one that would do it for me. They did the TT and the shackles for $30. You will be best probley goin to a small local body shop. If they try to charge you more than like $50 its a waste and you should do it yourself.

MODERATOR: WILL YOU MOVE THIS THREAD TO: SHOCKS, SUSPENSION, LIFT KITS CATEGORY??

Grant