1st Gen rear lift

So I'm on the fence.

I only want to lift around 1.75-2". For the front I have 5100s, but I'm debating how to do the rear to meet two goals- increase travel and ride quality.

At first I was looking at shackles, but now it seems that using a 3 leaf progressive AAL while removing the overload leaf would be the smoother option?

 

Bought a wheelers 1.5" progressive AAL, looking forward to a smoother ride with the OE overload gone. But with the front 5100s set to 2.5" of lift (going with 2.5 vs. the 1~1.25 of the next perch- CV joints forgive me), I need to add about an inch to the rear (stock rake is pretty much gone with the old OE leafs). I want to avoid blocks as they seem to not give any added travel. Would a 1" shackle not compromise (maybe even increase) travel?

 

2.5" front and 1.5" rear should sit level. I wouldn't add 1" to the rear. Naturally the rear always sit higher from the factory due to hauling in the bed and the front has the engine.

 

I'll go with just the AAL and see how it looks. If it has the "bro" "cali" lift, I'll go with shackles to balance it out, as shackles seem to be the more off-road worthy approach in comparison to blocks.

Wish I had the funds for a front bumper, that would balance it out lol.

 

Sub'd, BlackSportD -- how did the lift turn out??