How many leafs do I have to add

[tiredtiretodd]

If I want to keep my 6" lift but get rid of the blocks in the rear, do I have to get all new springs or can they be added? I want to get away from the blocks. Also I may add anti wrap bars.

 

[MadOgre]

You can put 2 inch add a leafs and then 4 inch blocks. if you have the large spring pack you might be sitting an inch or so taller in the rear after doing that. Ive got a couple spring packs that someone added 2, 2inch add a leafs per side, and it sits probably 3 inches taller then stock.

I however after having add a leafs for years do not like them for the simple fact that the main leaf spring gets worn through where the end of the add a leafs contact it. Every add a leaf set up I've ever seen has this happen. However it does take like 10 years for that to happen.

If you added single springs to make 6 inches of lift you would have spring packs 8.5 inches thick LOL I think that would be worse then riding in a Tank. Although im sure it could be done. I think they would tend to twist a lot though.

I have 6 inch springs up front with 2 inch add a leafs and 4 inch blocks.

Im gonna install 4 inch rear springs with 2.5 inch rear blocks. That way when I decide to go to a 4 inch lift all I have to do is remove the rear blocks or reduce them to 1/2 or 1 inch blocks.

As far as I can tell the cost is about the same for rear springs no matter what size lift 6 inches or less. So if you know for sure that you will always want 6 inches then go with 6 inch springs and you can always add blocks to that to go to 8 or 10 inches.

However if you put 6 inch after market springs on, the only way to go smaller is to change out the springs.

 

[skysurfer]

How about Tuff Country 2" springs and a shackle flip? That would get you 6" without blocks and a decent ride...only negative would be the cost.

 

[marks86]

I agree with skysurfer a shackle flip is a great way to flip the rear of your truck

 

[bucket]

I always say that blocks in the rear are absolutely fine for just about every truck owner. As long as they are cast, installed properly and torqued properly. And no stacked blocks. Dodge and Ford have used 4 and even 6 inch blocks for a long time, and GM has used blocks for several years now too.

And I'd bet that about every story that anyone has heard or told about problems with blocks, installation error was the cause of the problem.

 

[MadOgre]

I always say that blocks in the rear are absolutely fine for just about every truck owner. As long as they are cast, installed properly and torqued properly. And no stacked blocks. Dodge and Ford have used 4 and even 6 inch blocks for a long time, and GM has used blocks for several years now too.

And I'd bet that about every story that anyone has heard or told about problems with blocks, installation error was the cause of the problem.

True. My 4 inch blocks have been in there for 10 years or so with out any problems associated with the blocks.

I think blocks are easier when trying to avoid the pain in the asss of having to remove your rear springs with the sawzall. There is no way of getting around it in the front. But after having add a leafs all these years there is no getting around it any more. Cause the add a leafs have worn half way through my main springs.

 

[tiredtiretodd]

I always say that blocks in the rear are absolutely fine for just about every truck owner. As long as they are cast, installed properly and torqued properly. And no stacked blocks. Dodge and Ford have used 4 and even 6 inch blocks for a long time, and GM has used blocks for several years now too.

And I'd bet that about every story that anyone has heard or told about problems with blocks, installation error was the cause of the problem.

I hear ya bucket, I'm gonna leave it alone and just check the torque before I start driving it.

 

[bucket]

I hear ya bucket, I'm gonna leave it alone and just check the torque before I start driving it.

You will want to check the torque periodically after driving it for a while. After a couple times then you don't need to worry about it anymore.

 

[tiredtiretodd]

Torque

You will want to check the torque periodically after driving it for a while. After a couple times then you don't need to worry about it anymore.

Thanks again, I think I already have a shackle flip but I'm still kinda new to having a lifted truck. I do believe I also have 2" leafs with 4" blocks in the rear and was trying to figure out if getting rid of the blocks was a better idea. I'm gonna be adding anti wrap bars for sure.

 

[tiredtiretodd]

True. My 4 inch blocks have been in there for 10 years or so with out any problems associated with the blocks.

I think blocks are easier when trying to avoid the pain in the asss of having to remove your rear springs with the sawzall. There is no way of getting around it in the front. But after having add a leafs all these years there is no getting around it any more. Cause the add a leafs have worn half way through my main springs.

Why does that happen?

 

[tiredtiretodd]

I agree with skysurfer a shackle flip is a great way to flip the rear of your truck

Thanks Mark, That's what I was trying to figure out.

 

[tiredtiretodd]

How about Tuff Country 2" springs and a shackle flip? That would get you 6" without blocks and a decent ride...only negative would be the cost.

Thank you also Skysurfer, that was what I was looking for.

 

[tiredtiretodd]

You can put 2 inch add a leafs and then 4 inch blocks. if you have the large spring pack you might be sitting an inch or so taller in the rear after doing that. Ive got a couple spring packs that someone added 2, 2inch add a leafs per side, and it sits probably 3 inches taller then stock.

I however after having add a leafs for years do not like them for the simple fact that the main leaf spring gets worn through where the end of the add a leafs contact it. Every add a leaf set up I've ever seen has this happen. However it does take like 10 years for that to happen.

If you added single springs to make 6 inches of lift you would have spring packs 8.5 inches thick LOL I think that would be worse then riding in a Tank. Although im sure it could be done. I think they would tend to twist a lot thou
I have 6 inch springs up front with 2 inch add a leafs and 4 inch blocks.

Im gonna install 4 inch rear springs with 2.5 inch rear blocks. That way when I decide to go to a 4 inch lift all I have to do is remove the rear blocks or reduce them to 1/2 or 1 inch blocks.

As far as I can tell the cost is about the same for rear springs no matter what size lift 6 inches or less. So if you know for sure that you will always want 6 inches then go with 6 inch springs and you can always add blocks to that to go to 8 or 10 inches.

However if you put 6 inch after market springs on, the only way to go smaller is to change out the springs.

I'm for sure gonna keep the 6" lift but was told to get rid of the blocks cause they supposedly suck.

 

[tiredtiretodd]

Blocks

I know that I see blocks on stock trucks all the time so I assume that they're ok to keep under my truck. Now I need to know about anti wrap bars?

 

[bucket]

Some company still makes a bolt-on style set, but I don't remember who. I think an actual traction bar mounted to the passenger side axle tube will work much better. There's a few kits out there, but no matter what, welding and cutting is needed to do the install. If you have any fabrication skills, you can just make everything yourself.