Yeah - You got it wrong son.



Shackles are way stronger...no one has ever had a shackle sag...AAL's, sag...all the time...as they wear out.

The leaf spring has no idea how long the shackle above it is...just think about it...the leaf has the same weight on it no matter how long the shackle is.



AAL's hurt articulation...they give height, and stiffen the spring to get it...a stiffer spring does not flex as well, and you get less wheel travel.

Shackles do not stiffen the ride, they don't affect it at all...but, they do add wheel travel, as they can swing with the leaf pack and let it articulate better.

Shackles are the best way, AND the cheapest way, to get a PML.



Cranking the t-bars, or any suspension lift, raises the steering box relative to the axles, which stay the same distance from the ground...so, again, if you think about it...

The steering linkage has to reach further than it did before...and, since its higher, it has to take the more acute angle to get to where it has to go...that angle puts stress on the components...1.5" does not do much though...so it's OK.



BTW - The drive line has to reach from the engine-tranny-axle path too...and a suspension lift makes the distance longer, and the angles greater, just like it does for the steering.

When I did the 3" lift, I put in a Diff Drop Kit to relieve some CV angle stress..and its fine now, as it was only an issue when the wheels were at full lock, in 4wd, under power when fully drooped...but the drop kit took care of even that situation.



If you are doing a PML, and your question is because you wanted to decide if you should do a shackle PML or a AAL PML....just get the shackles, crank the t-bars, and get a wheel alignment...and be happy....you're good to go.