Add a Leaf or shackles with OME Dakar?

Have OME Dakars and since have added a lot of weight. I installed all pro shackles that are 3/4" longer. My question is should I put the OME add a leaf in and remove the longer shackle? Was thinking of putting stock height shackle in. Is the extra weight going to stretch the springs without the add a leaf?

 

I would highly recommend taking the Dakars out and buying a completely new set of leafs that will add more lift and is heavier-duty for the heavy loads.

If you're carrying a lot of weight...an Add-a-leaf won't last long. They will eventually flatten out. Also - they can put excessive stress on your dakars too. Leaf springs have an 'arch' in them. Every leaf in a leaf pak has the same built arch so they all match. When you stick an Add-a-leaf in .....(with a completely different arch), it causes the other leafs to bend un-naturally (added stress). They function a whole lot better when all the arches are equal.
But that's my lame explanation based on my experiences.

 

Depends on how much weight you're carrying but I would go with the OME add a leaf. From what I have seen with guys using the add a leaf if helps out quite a bit with weight.
Another good reason and something I wouldn't worry about is the OME add a leaf was made for the Dakar leaf pack. It will fit right in and blend with the rest of the pack.

 

What Janster is saying is true of you were adding a leaf to something like a stock leaf pack. It's what happened to my stock leaf pack as well.
The OME leaf pack is designed to go with the OME add a leaf, like ToyoTaco said.

 

Yes, that's what I've read. The dakar add a leaf is made for the dakar leaf pack. I have at least an extra 200 pounds. It's sitting where I want it because I have extended shackles. I want to know if the added weight will flatten the dakar over time. Should I remove the shackles and add the leaf? Thanks.

I have a fiberglass cap, heavy duty bumper, swing out tire carrier and fuel cans.

 

The longer shackles will wear the leaf springs out a little quicker (and you will be a little more prone to crack a leaf), so yeah, it will flatten the Dakars faster over time than an add-a-leaf would.

 

Ok thanks! That's what I thought.

 

I'm in the same boat...camper shell, drawer system, soon to be fire swing out. I'm about a year away from upgrading my suspension from mostly stock plus an add a leaf.

 

Definitely get a fresh, whole new set. Wheelers has their own and they also sell Dakars.

 

Oh yeah! That's the plan. I should have gone that route in the first place.