I didnt do any shims on the carrier bearing. It rides pretty good. It is a little stiffer than stock, but not bad.

I have the McGaughys 2/3.5 kit and when I first put it on I had the hangers and shackles on the lowest setting, which made the rear lower than the front, and it was sitting on the bump stops. I then moved the hangers to the bottom hole, and set the shackles on the top hole, which gave me about 1/2 to 1 inch of rake. If you set the hangers on the bottom and the shackles on the bottom It will be level. You are going to have to trim your bumpstops either way. A c notch wouldnt be a bad idea, but isnt necessary. I would do some helper bags if you plan on towing with it.

When you get ready to do it pull the bed off. It is alot easier that way. I have done it with the bed on and off, and It is way easier with it off. Also the rivets on the stock hangers will **** you off in a hurry. The best way I found was to take a cut off wheel and make several cuts across the rivet head then knock it off with an air hammer.