Axle Shim ?

Do all of the axle shims bolt on to the leaf stack as though the shim is another leaf? I'm talking about the shims for correcting the pinion angle.

Is there a "better" style of shim. Headstrong shims have a slot and others just have a hole, is one better than the other?

 

I used the hole in the middle ones.
I upgraded the center bolt to very strong Allen head!

 

I didn't want ones to possibly slip out.
Long shot but it could happen

 

Yes they bolt to the bottom of the leaf pack. With the thicker side towards the rear. The slide in ones imo are kinda sketchy with nothing really holding it in but clamping pressure. Leaf springs move around a lot and something that's just sitting under the leaf I would think it wouldn't be very stable. One that bolts to the leaf becomes part of the pack and can offer a lot more piece of mind. Just my .02

 

Thanks Desert Runner, I was thinking the same about the slide in type sold at Headstrong, nothing against Headstrong, but I could see them working their way out.

 

I believe I got my hole in the middle ones from Wheelers or Toytec...

 

Yep, wheelers has them but only in 3 degree. Right now I don't know what I need for degrees as I don't yet have my new leaf packs in but wanted to be prepared so don't have to wait for more parts when I'm half way through the install.

I will probably get the ones at wheelers but is there a 2 degree set with just the hole, not the slot.

 

What pack ??

 

Also if you getting Dakar Leafs. Unless you carry a lot of weight,I'd remove one of the overload leafs.

 

I bought the Icon RXT pack, it was way more money but I like how you can play around the the springs to get different heights. I know you can do that with the dakars also but didn't feel like experimenting with what leaf to remove or add or whatever.

 

Following - I'm thinking about the ICON RXT pack as well for the same reasons.

 

I have the pack sitting here and its nice, just trying to decide what setting to start with. I was originally going to go with the lowest to keep it close to stock height but now am thinking of going on the middle setting.

 

I ordered the RXT pack last night, I will for sure be follwing your progress.

My newly installed 6112's are riding high in the front at the moment on the second setting from the bottom and my factory leaf packs in back are flat as a pancake.

good luck!

 

This looks like a good write up, interestingly they recomend the slot style shims like Headstrong sells.

A bunch to read through but seems like useful info.

Drive Shaft Vibrations Solved Step-by-Step

 

After reading most of the thread above I don't think we will be lifting the rear enough to need a 2.5 or 3 degree shim on the ICON packs. I have a cap on the back and I don't think it's going to be close to 2 1/2" of lift. Every truck is diffrent so I don't know for sure but I am going to try it without shims first.

I ordered a Wixy Angle Gauge and I will take measurments and shim the CB accordingly if needed. I'm not opposed to axle shims but I'm not sure anyone makes one smaller than 2.5 degrees that doesn't have a slot?


Now I just need to sit and wait for the leafs to arrive.

 

Yea, I'm not sure how much lift I will get and will just have to wait and see. I ordered 3 degree shim kit and center drop kit just in case and am waiting for a good day to do the swap.

 

I’d be interested in knowing if the leaf shim works for you, I have the Dakar pack and have a slight vibration on take off only. If this works I may give it a shot.

 

It will help.. IIRC, about 1 degree for each 1" of lift. But a 3 degree shim works for my 2.75 " Dakars.
I also have a carrier bearing drop

 

Had a 3 degree hole type shim on my old 06 with Dakar pack.and it made a world of difference.I would not touch slip in ones however.

 

According to everything I've read the vibration at take off is a sure sign that you need axle shims. You may also benifit from a carrier bearing drop.

I don't know if I will have vibrations or not yet becasue I havent installed them. I am looking for less than 2" of lift in the rear, if i could find a 1.5 -2 degree shim with a hole in it I would install it, but i can only find the slotted style.