Eibach front Bilstein rear?

I hope you're not making the comparison between having different tires/having different suspension components

A recommendation I'd make to you; choose your components based on your vehicle's weight, or estimated future weight when you have it built to your liking. If you choose to go notch 2 up front, and choose to go full heavy duty leaf pack in the rear, with no real added weight, the ride will be extremely stiff and miserable. Both Dakar and Deavers have different options according to how much weight you're looking to support. My advice, be super realistic when estimating the weight of your build/future build. If adding 0-200lbs, an AAL would be just fine. If adding hundreds of lbs CONSTANT weight, a full leaf pack would be desired. As for mismatching brands to get what you desire, I highly encourage it, just as long as you did your research and found good reasons to choose one over the other. Nothing wrong with that at all. Its not like mismatching tires.

 

This is some great info. Hopefully this doesn’t derail this thread but you touched on exactly what I’m trying to figure out for my build and maybe this question will help others as well since you seem knowledgeable on the topic…

I know a single AAL is commonly referred to as a “band aid”, or a temporary solution.

I’m having an ARE topper installed next month. The bed of my truck will be empty during daily driving and I will only have additional weight under the topper when going on trips.

Do you think a single AAL could be a good long term solution or would I still need to eventually do an entire leaf pack?

I’m talking maybe ~10 times a year the bed would be weighed down with gear on trips; probably just 200-300 extra pounds. No permanent weight other than the bed topper.

I currently have a 1 inch rear block from ready lift but I’ve heard that can eventually damage the leaf springs, and obviously it doesn’t increase my load capacity at all.

 

You nailed it here at the end. Block lifts aren't increasing load capacity at all. The purpose of the AAL or leaf pack replacement, is to increase load capacity. If you choose an AAL that suits the increased weight of however much your camper shell weighs, it would be sufficient (as far as accounting for the added weight), and you'd retain much of your stock leaf pack performance and driving characteristics. To some, that's good; to some, that's less than what they want. The appetizing part of a full leaf pack replacement is 2 part for me; increased constant load capacity (choose your pack accordingly to your trucks weight) and increased flex offroad. With the AAL, it'll likely support the camper shell great, and when you add more weight than designed, it'll start to sag in the rear. A full pack replacement will do the same, but again, they're 'typically' designed for more constant weight. The downside, if you go for a full pack replacement thats designed to carry 700lbs constantly, and you only have 200lbs worth of camper shell, its gonna ride really stiff. Some sort of medium load pack replacement would give you the best of both worlds; handles the weight of the shell, offers "better" performance.

I'm no expert, let me clarify; there are many many more knowledgeable around here, and I'm open for anyone to correct me if I say something wrong. That being said, this is just my understanding of how they work.

 

Thanks so much for the info. I very much appreciate it.

It sounds like a single AAL might be best for me; I’m not expecting to ever exceed 500 pounds total in the bed. Especially since the bed will be empty during my daily driving, a full leaf pack may be overkill.

 

Most mods that most of us do are arguably overkill. But it doesn't mean its not worth it! As long as you're realistic with what you want out of your truck, you'll come to realize that alot of our mods are just "extra". I'd say drive your truck exactly how it is after the shell install. Replace what you want as you learn what is and what isn't working out for you. But if your heart desires to over build it before you ever run into an issue, do it! I say enjoy it while you can, build it to your hearts desire, and if that means $300 worth of autozone chrome vents, have at it regardless of what we think!

 

Thank you! That’s helpful

 

This is exactly what I’m trying to figure out. Either a medium load Dakar pack or a 2in aal with OL in

Only plan to do a shell (or soft topper) with a bed setup in the back and some camping gear

 

This is where I'm no expert; but my understanding is that both would do the job for what you're wanting. Obviously, the AAL for less money. But they're still not both equal. The AAL is exactly as described, "adding a leaf" to your stock packs; meaning stock performance, stock feel, stock flex, etc, just a little extra help to carry that added weight of the shell. To many, thats perfect; to some others, they want a little more out of their truck, maybe extra constant weight or more flex, in which case a full pack replacement comes to mind. Again, just have to be realistic with how you want to use your truck. If its a street truck, the AAL is probably the easiest solution. If you've taken it offroad, and feel its lacking in flex/ride quality, thats when you'd probably consider a pack replacement. Something else to be said, when looking at full packs that are gonna yield much more flex or lift height, you then have to start considering shocks/shock lengths, bump stops, extending brake lines. Its a lot of information. I spent countless hours researching before going the route I went, and it still wasn't enough to make the best decisions. Just read, read, read, find some locals with similar setups and test drive if possible to physically feel or see the differences in all of these choices.

Last thing, regarding front lift; if you choose notch 2, you'll be pushing the limits of your stock UCA's, and might consider upgrading them too. Lifting can be expensive, especially with future potential issues lifting can cause. Again, my best advice; be realistic.

 

Thanks man. Ya I’ve been obsessively reading the past few weeks. A friend told me I’ve spent more time on a 2in lift decision than he’s ever seen lol!

here’s what I was thinking

spc ucas
Eibach 2nd notch
Wheelers 2in aal OR med dakars
Read bilsteins with extended brake lines


OR

eibach first notch
Ucas
1.5 rear aal


I can’t decide

I’m just getting into off roading

I know I don’t want to go too wild off road but I do want to be able to push it some. And obviously camp etc


Right now I’ve got 265-75-16 ridge grapplers with 16x8 -25 Fn five stars coming
(Heard back and forth between sl and e) sl should be ok right?

this is my daily driver as well. But I do feel limited with tire choice with 16s. But figured since my tires were new I’d roll with it for now

 

I think both of those choices would accomplish what you're trying to do; but only one of those choices will give you the lift height you ACTUALLY want. If you're looking for a "best bang for your buck" solution, I would say just get the eibach kit, front and rear with a 2" AAL and call it a day. IF you run across something that isn't giving you the performance you want, buy it then, and sell your used parts for a small loss. As you've seen, folks are running the eibach rear shocks with 2-2.5" AAL/Dakars and no issues. Again, the eibach specs are nearly identical to the standard 5100's, giving a little extra length to the eibachs actually; eibach has to label a conservative number for liability purposes. The reps around here even say 'if we say 1.5 inch, people will go 2.5'. If you look at the extended/collapsed length of the eibach rear shocks, they're sufficient for 2" AAL. Now if you get into the 2.75"+ territory, you'll be pushing it. The goal is to have your leaf packs being the limiting factor to your downtravel, not your shocks, which is why shock specs and extended brake lines matter. For uptravel, its why your bump stops matter. With only an AAL, I'd be fairly certain your stock bumps and brake lines would be sufficient. With a full pack replacement/b110s, you'd want to do some actual measuring after install to set up aftermarket bumps and lines accordingly.

As far as you wanting to push the truck more off road and being comfortable doing so, it would really surprise you what it will do stock. Which is why I'm gonna settle on recommending the eibach kit/AAL and then upgrading later if you feel like its needed. Just know that I'm telling you from experience, it will be stiff up front on the 2nd notch and no added weight. And it'll either sit exactly level, or very slightly nose high with that setup.

For the tire SL vs E load, I'll let someone else chime in on that one lol. Its probably pretty debatable.

 

Thanks man. Would you get new UCAs regardless?

 

And you think it’ll sit level or noise high with the 2in?

I’ll also need a skid guard on the front right? Or will the stock one one the truck be ok?

 

When I was in your shoes, I didn't get UCAs; the truck was fine, and UCAs really wouldn't have been much help. When I decide to go up in tire size, I'll have a need for them to get my alignment in a better place to clear the body mount. IF I were you, and IF I/you had the money, I would definitely get UCA's. My guess is that you'll start out here, and continue to mod, and you'll have a need for them soon.

Yes, I don't think it will have any rake on the 2nd notch, not enough to notice at least. My best guess given you have no added weight anywhere on the truck, it'll sit barely nose high, possibly not enough to notice, or will be fairly level.

Skid plates, completely depends on what you intend to use the truck for. Take your truck to a couple places and do whatever "off road" you intend to do, then report back with how many times you made contact with your stock splash shield/skid plate. Odds are, like the lift, you don't need near as much as you think you do to just go camping somewhere.

 

Thanks man. I joined a few local groups so we’ll see how it goes.

And here is something I saw in the eibach thread

he was at 39 1/2 I think in the back and 38 1/4 in the front so may be I could get the 2in to play it safe

 

i have eibachs on the 2nd notch and deavers stage 3 with the eibach rear shocks. i have a camper and some tools in the back. and on the road it is really smooth and way better than stock that for sure. only thing is when i go on the speedbumps a little too fast then you can feel the harshness on the rear

 

How much rake do you have? Can you post some pics if you don’t mind? And what tire size?

 

i posted it on the 1st page. the white long bed. im using 285/75/16 tires

 

Ahh that’s right. I wonder if I should go with deaver instead of dakars

 

if money is no factor, then go deaver. If money is also no factor, just get an adjustable coilover for the front as well lol

 

I wish I was balling. Not yet lol