Aftermarket shackle hangers question.. Went with Archive Garage

What are your impressions or experiences when you’ve upgraded your stock hangers to aftermarket?
I’ve been considering hangers for quite some time now on my truck since I’ve upgraded my leaf pack to icon rxt.. I’ve installed my 3rd and final shock upgrade for my truck (hopefully) so now I’m looking for that final upgrade of performance and ride quality and I’m curious about how these would be beneficial for those of you who have upgraded?
I’m sure all the main ones are solid pieces and fabricated very well by all companies (Archive, Rago, BAMF, DRT, etc)… I have all the tools to do this job and get it done in my garage.
Since I am 85-90% on the pavement with my truck my biggest question about installing aftermarket hangers is on road handling and ride quality improvements if noticeable?
I do go on trails and some off roading whenever I have time and get the chance to go but would like to go more often. So Anything it improves off roading with durability is just icing on the cake for me..

 

Purchased Archive Garage hammer hangers

 

from my research, and I might be wrong, but it just makes things more stiff in the rear. I decided against this, as I didnt want it more stiff.

 

Frame/torsional stiffness is a good thing, it lets the suspension do its job more effectively. Upgrading the hangers does not make the truck ride harsher - actually has the opposite effect. They really clean up the shimmying in the rear end of these trucks and make the rear end feel a lot more lively. Fantastic upgrade.

My review on them here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/drizzohs-21-off-road-build.748190/page-11#post-28654651

 

I’ll be able to give more of a review on these once I get them installed but from just an overall quality standpoint I give the pieces themselves an A+. They are very well built and designed imo. I’m happy with the quality for sure.
on the actual upgrade and It’s just my understanding that it firms up the frame which allows the leaf springs and rear suspension components to really do their job and shackle bushings to rotate more freely for actually a much smoother ride comfort and handling and performance on and off road. Will definitely report back in a few days once I get time to install them

 

@crashngiggles

 

@drizzoh could not have said it any better in his review. I have installed 6 sets of these so far, the first being on my truck. With the plethora of mods that I have done to my truck, I can truthfully say that this was the first mod that I did that I felt the results immediately in how my truck drove afterwards. Some people say....."Really?....I mean come on.....how noticeable can it be?" to which my response is......Yes, Yes it is......My truck is sooooooo much more planted. I did the angled crossbar, which I do recommend for further chassis stiffness, and it is literally like a different vehicle. You are going to love the way your truck drives. BTW, make sure that you have the right tools for the job, it makes it go soooooo much easier. The first set I did in about 8 hours, the last set I did a couple of weekends ago, me and another member banged it out in about 3 and 1/2 hours and 30 minutes of that was waiting for paint to dry. An Air hammer with chisel attachments and a ball joint press are your friends!!! after you grind down the rivets from the outside, use the year hammer to go in between the frame and the stocking are and chisel it off of there. The trick with the ball joint press and grade 8 bolt works wonders for the outside rivets going from the bottom up. regarding the top rivets, mark a hole with a center punch after you grind them down, drill a small pilot hole about 1/8" to 1/4" deep and the punch them through with an air hammer with a good pointed chisel.

 

someone mentioned on a review on their site that they got a little added lift? I dont see anything about that on the website. Anyone know whats up with that? Thanks

 

Getting ready to tackle this job. I was nervous about cutting my exhaust but cutting wheel and angle grinder made light work of it surprisingly then came back with sanding pad to clean it up. I am going to run get a ball joint press from harbor freight

 

pick up a 3/8", 2 inch long grade eight bolt from Home Depot as well. That will help you at the end of the BJ press while pushing the rivet out.

 

Archive ran three different versions of their Hammer Hangers and the Gen 1 and Gen 2 had a slight 3/8" lift. The gen 3 does not.

 

When I did mine, the end of the BJ press I used was removable so I just stuck the punch bit in there from the chisel (upside down). Worked great.

 

Yes, That works as well as long as it is not a very long Punch bit. We have been using a "Cup shaped" end attached to the BJ press and 2-3 inch grade 8 bolt slides right in there and doesn't move.

 

I have installed multiple hanger kits and they all seem to love it. I like how they feel on test rides. Cheers!

 

I’m about to go ahead and order the crossbar from archive while I’m at it

 

Or you can DIY( if you have a welder or a friend with one)

 

These have been on my list for quite a while..

After seeing the quality of the Archive bump stops I installed a few weeks ago, these have moved way up the list

 

I have a cheap little 125A welder but I suck at welding lol. Honestly I’m so impressed with everything I’ve gotten from archive( u bolt flip kit and hammer hangers) I’m gonna order their crossbar for that main reason

 

Absolutely! I like to support the ones that create quality work. But yeah this is a great DIY training since it’s something easy and out of the way(you know in case the dimes are not that nice) cheers!

 

subbed to see when the 4th shock upgrade comes with the new rear shock towers.

I installed the BAMF kit on my own and am super happy with it. Getting ready for some Archive towers and 12” smoothies as my 5100s are bottoming out with the kit.