yes get the shackels if you can

 

any recommendations for where to get shackles for cheap

 

quadratec.com 4wd.com roughcountry.com rubiconexpress.com

 

i run lifting blocks on the front and shackles on the rear and its great, i did uprate the rear dampers as they where topping out, i also took the rear anti roll bar off, no probs at all.

 

do you mean spacers in the front? not blocks.....you run blocks in the back

 

oh i see your from england..my bad i guess yall call them blocks instead of spacers sorry bout that

 

OP, you could run those spacers in the front, and get 2" steel lift blocks for the back. Advance auto parts sells them here for about $30 and they include new U bolts. With them being steel, you could tack weld them to your axle. Shackles are going to run you at least $60-$80 I think.

As far as the shocks go, run the ones you have now. If they don't work, switch them out.

 

I might go that route. any negatives with using lift blocks in the back compared to doing an AAL? i wouldn't be able to weld them.

 

Day Star makes a shackle spacer lift.RC,RE both have budget boots kits with shocks.

 

The AALs are short type and will cause you springs to deform more. If you do get an AAL get FULL length, $60 at Rustys or Rough Contry. For a 2" lift a set of extended length shackles would be best or get a set of S10 or Dakota springs from the junkyard, to build a Bastard Pack. New shocks are not required but are recomended.

 

The negatives most common w/blocks are spitting out and cracking. Spitting out usually occurs w/big blocks 3"+. Cracking happens w/aluminum blocks which I would never recommend. 2" blocks are fine, and tack welding the steel blocks pretty much eliminates the spitting out. You could install them, and go to a muffler shop to have them tack the blocks. You're done.

AALs will ride rough and the short ones will mess up your springs. Definitely a full set of new springs front and rear is best way to go, but for a budget boost, I'd do the spacers front, and blocks rear. The full size trucks sometimes come w/blocks in the back from the factory.

 

here is one from teraflex on quadratecs website, it is a 1.5'' lift
http://www.quadratec.com/products/76190_803.htm

 

You can go to rustys and pick up the spacer and shackles for about $100 that's where I got mine and the shackles are beefy.

I will never run a block again. You will get way for spring wrap, along with the spitting a block out, and cracking.

 

Remember, you get what you pay for. The short AAL's gotta be really cheaply made or poor quality considering the price. I would avoid it, especially since it's a universal AAL.

 

we call them ether lol

but yea spacers. they work well, im going up by adding 2.5 lifted springs and the lifting spacers as they havent let me down yet

and i now have some extended rear shackles so should have [with my uprated rears anyway] about 4 inches of lift. not a lot next to some of the trucks on here but enuff to enjoy it

the rear springs where re tempered [hope thats the correct word] at a local spring shop, and a full lenght spring added in, i belive you use chevy springs over there?
they made the ride slightly harsher but have settled nicely now and havent really sagged.