but what i don't understand is looking at rustys full leaf pack kits.. what is the differance between a full 4.5 6 leaf pack and a 3 in pack with 1.5 shackles.. it gives the same amount of lift (i'm assuming) but i would think that the full 6 leaf pack is better, so why offer the 3 inch pack with 1.5 in shackles

go for the full pack. Shackles will change your pinion angle and you'll end up throwing more money and frustration at getting the pinion angle right. its not the hard to change out the rear suspension. the front end is slighly more difficult...

i'm thinkin i may end up spending the money and doing it right with a rough country long arm kit.and possibly also addding two in coil spacers and two in shackles giving me 6.5 of lift. or is it a terrible idea to add the extra two inches this way?

I'm pretty sure the shackles will help your pinion angle...

well i recently learned that a flatter leaf spring will give more suspension travel. so would that be the reasoning behind a 3.5" leaf pack with a 1.5" shackle vs a full 4.5" pack?

pinion angle is supposed to be level on level ground. if you add shackles you're pointing your pinion at the t-case putting unnecessary strain on the u joints, go with the packs, drop the t-case for now until you can afford an sye thats my 2 cents

the full spring pack lift from rusty's you are talking about comes with 6 degree shims for the rear axle to help correct pinion angle. If i did not have them installed, my joints would be under more stress. and my angle would be outside the perferred 2 degrees

ummm.... don't you want your pinion pointed directly at your T-Case? I always thought that was the entire point behind shims...

I'm no expert but from what I've read on this forum the pinion angle should be level plus or minus 2 degrees not pointed at the t-case. do a search on pinion angles, should clear it up for you.

With an SYE ... you want it 2 degrees under the DS angle (which for the most part is considered "in line" with the t-case). That way .. as the vehicle is moving .... the difference becomes less (closer to zero).



In the case of an non-SYE setup ... you are aiming for "equal but opposite" angles with the addition of an extra 2 degrees. So if your T case points down 6° ... you want the pinion pointing up at 4°. That way ... as you're driving ... the pinion will rotate up closer to 6°




Joe

ahhh, so you want to compensate for the small amount of axle wrap then, makes sense.

Eggzacharee !!







Joe

a shackle will give u a lesser ride quality but will incrase your flex. do it right and just get the 6.5 inch long arm kit now if thats what u want to run. i just got the 4.5 xseries and am kinda wishing i had gone 6.5 LA