I've run Nationals (custom), RE 1462's, and BigOffroad 6"...the Nationals were way too soft, and provided 2" less lift than what I ordered, the RE's were good but expect to buy a set every year or two, and the BOR are exactly what others have stated: extremely stable but not overly flexy.
As for the shackle, I started with Commanche shackles because the BOR springs were providing 7" of lift even with 200 lbs of weight in the back...but there just wasn't enough flex. So I bought a set of boomerang shackles from ORGS for 1" of additional lift...and the ride was awful. It was so stiff with boomerangs, and the flex to the rear was still extremely limited.
So I went with a set of RE 1.25" shackles, and this is a great combo. The RE's have a half moon cut out of the shackle to provide more clearance to the shackle box, and you could grind off just a bit more to get about the same rearward motion of a boomerang but still keeping the better ride of a shackle that is angled to the rear. I have 8" of lift with this combination.
There are tradeoffs to using the BOR springs. Controlling spring wrap with the top leaf does mean less flex. I find my rig is more stable at 8" of lift with these leafs, both on and offroad, than it was with RE leafs at 6" of lift. Get rubber bushings, not poly (I still have poly and need to change them out to rubber at some point...they aren't bad but the ride is pretty tight). And be careful with that front to rear balance as Beezil pointed out...a slightly stiffer rear suspension with a flexy front can do some funny things at unexpected times. I like the extra stability in the rear to go with long arms up front, especially since my family usually is onboard for wheeling trips and so I really do have a pretty heavy rig and these leafs have been an excellent compromise.
Nay
As for the shackle, I started with Commanche shackles because the BOR springs were providing 7" of lift even with 200 lbs of weight in the back...but there just wasn't enough flex. So I bought a set of boomerang shackles from ORGS for 1" of additional lift...and the ride was awful. It was so stiff with boomerangs, and the flex to the rear was still extremely limited.
So I went with a set of RE 1.25" shackles, and this is a great combo. The RE's have a half moon cut out of the shackle to provide more clearance to the shackle box, and you could grind off just a bit more to get about the same rearward motion of a boomerang but still keeping the better ride of a shackle that is angled to the rear. I have 8" of lift with this combination.
There are tradeoffs to using the BOR springs. Controlling spring wrap with the top leaf does mean less flex. I find my rig is more stable at 8" of lift with these leafs, both on and offroad, than it was with RE leafs at 6" of lift. Get rubber bushings, not poly (I still have poly and need to change them out to rubber at some point...they aren't bad but the ride is pretty tight). And be careful with that front to rear balance as Beezil pointed out...a slightly stiffer rear suspension with a flexy front can do some funny things at unexpected times. I like the extra stability in the rear to go with long arms up front, especially since my family usually is onboard for wheeling trips and so I really do have a pretty heavy rig and these leafs have been an excellent compromise.
Nay
