Cracked Toytec AAL plus new shackle installed

The rear lift with my old Toytec 2" AAL were too high with my new OME 881 coils so I decided to install 1" Toytec shackles. The removal and install was pretty easy with a lot of liquid wrench and a impact wrench. I always thought the ride on the AAL's were too stiff and I just noticed that one is totally cracked and the other has numerous small cracks forming. I have about 60k miles on the AAL's, 95% street driven with a few camping trips here and there. I don't load or pull trailers either, just a daily driven grocery grabber most of the time. Is it normal for AAL's to fail so easily?

The new Toytec shackles ride a million times better and now the truck is level. Toytec said that I wont need a exhaust extension but I bought it anyways and boy am I glad that I did. There was no way in hell that the leaf would clear the exhaust. .The OME exhaust extension causes a bit more cabin vibration at a stop, assuming from the downward pressure from the extension?. I hope the exhaust system settles in place or Im going to have to go to a muffler shop.

 

dang...thought those leafs were unbreakable. I changed my original leafs with some dorman leafs. My original leafs had negative curve and needed replacing. the new dorman leafs ride pretty nice. they are stock specs

 

I was surprised too, I thought AAL's were stout enough for off roading . Thanks for the info on the dorman leafs. My leaf pack still has a positive arch assuming that the AAL's helped keep them that way. If these go bad I am going to replace them with stock spec leafs and keep the shackles.

 

Hey I'm from Cali too! I drive by your town when ever I head up north. My Taco lacks alot of power when climbing up the 5 (gorman/grapevine area). but yea...the dormans are nice, they're inexpensive, and not made in China.

 

Haha yea. Trust me, I have the 2.7 with 32" tires, I hate my life everytime I drive on the 5.

 

lol! you too! yea man...that 5 is a killer. I have to literally be in the slow lane with all the big rigs cuz I cant keep up with regular traffic.