6" blocks......

[AndrewKing]

Hi All,



I don't know if it's just our diesel trucks BUT the rear of my diesel truck sets up about 4 1/2

inches taller than my gas truck..... Only difference I could see is that the Diesel truck has a block spacer under the spring that measures 6" tall vs the gassers 3" block (my gasser may be sagging a bit since it has been worked hard )... Other difference is that the diesel has the factory overload springs too (I 'll never haul more than 1500 LB in the bed so ovevrload springs may be overkill in my case) ... . My question is... . Can I get a 3" block and new Ubolts to lower my diesel truck?... . I want to lower the rear to make it more level with the front BUT more importantly so I can use this truck and pull the various other trailers our company has without the hassle of having to buy new ball mounts (all the other trucks in the company sit about the same height as the 86 W250)... ... Also the slightly lower lift height into the bed would be helpful in some situations I think. Has anybody out there done this? Are there any Cons to this other than the cost of the parts and a little labor? How about alignment?

Thanks

Andrew

 

[matches]

The problem you will run into is pinion angle. If the angle is increased to much either way you will eat u-joints on a regular basis. It is possible to lower your truck by removing blocks, but you will have to buy wedges or have new blocks made that adjust your angles back to within specs. Remove the overloads and put airbags on, then you can adjust them to the load when you need to. If you really want to get custom, call national spring and they can build you a new set at whatever hieght you want, and spring rate.

 

[MMiller]

When I installed the 2. 5" skyjackers in the front, the rear of the truck came down a bunch. The truck sits level and by lifting the front the rear bumper height came closer to the ground.



Have you looked at the frame of the two trucks. I'll bet the diesel has a taller frame making it taller then your gasser bodywise. I have a 4" lift on my 75 and it sits the same as my diesel with 2. 5" in the front.



Michael

 

[bgilbert]

I will TRADE you my 3" rear blocks I removed about a year ago from my 89 for your 6" rear blocks. Only the 91. 5-93 diesel 4x4 models came equipped with 6" rear blocks. My 89 diesel came with 3" blocks, which I've removed and replaced with 6" blocks. I want to get 6" blocks for my 91. You can go to any spring and alignment shop and have u-bolts made to what you need. I didn't encounter any alignment issues. You shouldn't have any problems at all lowering it 2. 5-3". I'll even take your overloads and stops for them if you wanna get rid of them.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

... . keep in mind I may be having a seniors moment here but... .



It is common for these trucks to sag alot in the front end... . seems they never really thought about the front end weight...

If you are trying to compensate for the front spring sag (negative arch) you'd be better off replacing (budget depending of course) the front springs or even using a "helper spring" until your budget can handle replacing the springs.



I know mine sags fair bit too... funny thing is, when the camper is on the truck it sits dead level... . must be a moral to that ... .



pb... .