Suspension lift question

RioDeColumbia

Bought an X
Location
Missouri
so I am looking into putting together a small suspension lift kit at the time and then slowly adding to it as time goes on. Currently, I am considering getting SPC ucas and then maybe putting a small spacer on the stock coilover. I am wanting to basically give my X a leveled look by just raising the front for the time being, and then as time goes on I will just add things such as coilovers, shocks, and some type of rear lift set up. So could I get away with just getting new ucas and a small spacer for the time being, or am I going to need something else? Also, does anyone know what size spacer would raise the nose enough for a leveled look?
 

obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
Camber bolts - you will want those so you can get an proper alignment if you put some spacers on the coil overs.
I ran the MX with 2in spacers and 2inch shackles in the back for about 2 years (check out the early pics in the build thread). She had enough clearance to get over the bad stuff and a good look. Honestly I felt for the price - why get the 1in plates if you are using stock coil overs, scew it - get the bigger ones.

I would really suggest scoping out some build threads. Alot of us have run the spacer/shackle set ups with great results.
 

RioDeColumbia

Bought an X
Location
Missouri
Camber bolts - you will want those so you can get an proper alignment if you put some spacers on the coil overs.
I ran the MX with 2in spacers and 2inch shackles in the back for about 2 years (check out the early pics in the build thread). She had enough clearance to get over the bad stuff and a good look. Honestly I felt for the price - why get the 1in plates if you are using stock coil overs, scew it - get the bigger ones.

I would really suggest scoping out some build threads. Alot of us have run the spacer/shackle set ups with great results.

Ha, I did notice that a lot of people just put in a spacers and shackles but it almost always results in coil bucket contact. That was why I was considering getting the UCAs from the start to avoid the CBC from he beginning. I am just trying to decide what the best route to go would be. I guess I could do an add a leaf or shackle in the rear to compensate for the spacer in the front, but I am not sure it is necessary or not?
 

obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
Ha, I did notice that a lot of people just put in a spacers and shackles but it almost always results in coil bucket contact. That was why I was considering getting the UCAs from the start to avoid the CBC from he beginning. I am just trying to decide what the best route to go would be. I guess I could do an add a leaf or shackle in the rear to compensate for the spacer in the front, but I am not sure it is necessary or not?

I did not find it necessary to do an AAL till I put in a 3in spacer. If you are doing the 2in with shackle, it will look good. One of our Richmond guys is running that exact set up and it performs great on and offroad.
But yeah, aftermarket UCAs make all the difference. I didn't get them until just this past May or so. So I ran almost 2 years with the awesome CBC. If you an avoid it, I would say go.
 

RioDeColumbia

Bought an X
Location
Missouri
I did not find it necessary to do an AAL till I put in a 3in spacer. If you are doing the 2in with shackle, it will look good. One of our Richmond guys is running that exact set up and it performs great on and offroad.
But yeah, aftermarket UCAs make all the difference. I didn't get them until just this past May or so. So I ran almost 2 years with the awesome CBC. If you an avoid it, I would say go.

Well I really want to avoid the CBC, so I think I am going to get the UCAs. What size spacer do you think I should get then, and should I add anything to the rear also?
 

obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
Well I really want to avoid the CBC, so I think I am going to get the UCAs. What size spacer do you think I should get then, and should I add anything to the rear also?

If you grab a 2in spacer, really all I would get is a shackle for the rear.
and AAL will make it pretty high with just 2inches.
(I don't even know where to get the 3in ones anymore, and 1in is just blah).
 

RioDeColumbia

Bought an X
Location
Missouri
If you grab a 2in spacer, really all I would get is a shackle for the rear.
and AAL will make it pretty high with just 2inches.
(I don't even know where to get the 3in ones anymore, and 1in is just blah).

So if I were to get the UCAs, a 2" spacer, and an adjustable shackle, I should be good? Well also some camber bolts also.
 

RioDeColumbia

Bought an X
Location
Missouri
Yes sir, you would be ready to have a bit of fun without worry.
Drop the rear sway bar while you are under there.

Great! And I definitely will take the rear sway bar off also. I've go another question... Would there be an advantage to buying an adjustable shackle over an aal for the rear?
 

obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
Great! And I definitely will take the rear sway bar off also. I've go another question... Would there be an advantage to buying an adjustable shackle over an aal for the rear?

At some point you will want both, to get the most lift out of our stock leaf pack.
They both provide lift. The shackle pushes your leaf pack down to lift and the AAL adds to the structure to provide more lift.

I think at this point is a matter of opinion. Some people choose to go the shackle route, then AAL. Some people choose to go AAL and shackle.
I personally did the shackle when I did my 2in spacers because I didn't want my rear end too high. I think it looks nicely leveled that one. I only added the AAL when I bumped up my spacers.
 

RioDeColumbia

Bought an X
Location
Missouri
At some point you will want both, to get the most lift out of our stock leaf pack.
They both provide lift. The shackle pushes your leaf pack down to lift and the AAL adds to the structure to provide more lift.

I think at this point is a matter of opinion. Some people choose to go the shackle route, then AAL. Some people choose to go AAL and shackle.
I personally did the shackle when I did my 2in spacers because I didn't want my rear end too high. I think it looks nicely leveled that one. I only added the AAL when I bumped up my spacers.

How much of a lift difference will there be between an adjustable shackle vs a single aal?
 

RioDeColumbia

Bought an X
Location
Missouri
So would it be better to go with a shackle lift in the rear or an aal? The aal is cheaper than the shackle but the shackle can be adjusted to different. So I was wondering if it is worth the extra money to get a shcakle lift vs an aal?
 

obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
So would it be better to go with a shackle lift in the rear or an aal? The aal is cheaper than the shackle but the shackle can be adjusted to different. So I was wondering if it is worth the extra money to get a shcakle lift vs an aal?

You reserve more options with the shackle - so if you put it to 2in and dont like it (if that is a thing) you can pop it down one.
If you AAL, you AAL. Only way to come down is to take it off.
 

JeffPro4x

Hot Pipe
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Glenside, PA
You reserve more options with the shackle - so if you put it to 2in and dont like it (if that is a thing) you can pop it down one.
If you AAL, you AAL. Only way to come down is to take it off.

Or add more weight to the rear.

I ran a 1.5" spacer/aal until I installed my rear bumper. I lost almost an inch so I added adjustable shackles set at the middle hole to regain height. But then you need longer rear shocks, brake line extension etc...
 

obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
Or add more weight to the rear.

I ran a 1.5" spacer/aal until I installed my rear bumper. I lost almost an inch so I added adjustable shackles set at the middle hole to regain height. But then you need longer rear shocks, brake line extension etc...

Thank you Jeff, I thought I was really hoping someone with a different set up would jump in.
 

RioDeColumbia

Bought an X
Location
Missouri
Thank you Jeff, I thought I was really hoping someone with a different set up would jump in.

So I guess the shackle is probably the better option to go with for the time being if sounds like. And thank you for all the help, the Nation makes this much easier! Now I just can't wait to see the difference these components make!
 

TJTJ

Skid Plates
Founding Member
Location
NJ
The shackles are cheaper, ride softer, don't sag with time, and add wheel travel.

The AAL are more expensive, ride stiffer, sag with time, and subtract wheel travel.


Combining them is popular, as the added height is a plus, and the added travel from the shackle makes up for the loss in travel from the AAL, and the added stiffness can makes things more under control with more weight and at a higher COG.

You can't practically use ONLY shackles to get the same full height, as TOO long a shackle can make a stuffed axle flatten or reverse arch the pack.

AAL with MORE leaves ride better and hurt travel less...than AAL with 1-2 leaves, etc. A SINGLE LEAF AAL is the worst option.
 
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njnewbe

Test Drive
Location
US
I was looking at doing the 2" spacer lift as well, but my rear sags quite a bit so im wondering if I am better odf just replacing my leafs for 2" ones?

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JeffPro4x

Hot Pipe
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Glenside, PA
That all depends on your budget and your plans for the truck. I run spacers, but I was impatient. If I had it to do over, personally, I would've waited until I could do UCAs and coilovers.

sent via raven
 

njnewbe

Test Drive
Location
US
That all depends on your budget and your plans for the truck. I run spacers, but I was impatient. If I had it to do over, personally, I would've waited until I could do UCAs and coilovers.

sent via raven
What exactly do the UCAs do? I want to do this lift right and ive read up to two inches you dont need to upgrade the UCAs.

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JeffPro4x

Hot Pipe
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Glenside, PA
What exactly do the UCAs do? I want to do this lift right and ive read up to two inches you dont need to upgrade the UCAs.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Correct. You are supposed to not need them under 2". I got coil bucket contact with 2" spacers though. I installed bump stops on my own UCAs. Aftermarket UCAs allow more travel with longer coilovers.

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njnewbe

Test Drive
Location
US
Awesome thank you for your insight. Hopefully I will be able to get the ball rolling soon.

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