I have had a number of 4x4s from ultra light to real heavy. I keep them for years and beat the crap out of them. What I have noticed with shims is over time those holes in the spring pads tend to get bigger and once in a while as a result of movement sheer off a center bolt. I'm not saying you can't use shims. Use them. I was expressing my preference based on 43 years of wheeling.

 

anybody else have comments?

 

what about getting the 4.5 short arm kit to save money and get the SYE and other things at the same time...THEN, when I really need LA's - easily upgrade.

Is it hard to just upgrade? Then I could save $500 right off the bat to put towards required items for the lift..