Add-A-Leafs or Blocks?

[JGoss]

I installed some 2" spacers on the front, and now of course the rear sags when towing. I'm leaning towards some add-a-leafs, but maybe blocks would work just as well. I don't tow heavy, or frequent, but I don't like it sagging. Which would be better and which brand is good? Air bags are out of the question, so maybe someone could chime in. I would prefer 3", but 2" would work too. Thanks

 

[prmizeski]

Go with the two inch block, the add a leaf will only make your truck ride worse than it already does. Block is the cheapest/ easiest way out. If money wasn't an issue I'd look into the full replacement springs from Lorenz.....

 

[JGoss]

I found some 2" Skyjacker blocks w/o new u-bolts for $52. The add-a-leafs are around $132. The ride doesn't bother me to much, but it probably will someday. Thanks

 

[Bob4x4]

Go with the two inch block, the add a leaf will only make your truck ride worse than it already does. Block is the cheapest/ easiest way out. If money wasn't an issue I'd look into the full replacement springs from Lorenz.....

Stacking blocks is a poor idea,it will add to the wheel hop the standard springs are prone to already.

Spend a lil money and do it right,a mini pack will improve the ride some and keep the weight capacity.



Bob

 

[CRuth]

All the old guys I talked to were adamant. Never use blocks in the front. Avoid using them in the rear.

 

[RMarkey]

Add a leafs for sure. Blocks aren't ever really a good idea. Thanks why they're so much cheaper. Go with the leaf springs, a whole new set would of course be the best route, but add a leafs are fine too. I added a set onto mine and didn't notice any ride changes. You will be happier with the leafs.

 

[Lorenz]

Air bags are what we reccomend. It sounds like you've had a bad experience? They are the best bet when towing with a leveled truck. $220 or so from Summitracing.com delivered to your house. We can't beat that pricing and don't try... Dump the on board compressor and tanks, keep it simple and run the air lines behind the gas door. You can use a bicycle pump in a pinch to air them up...

A 2" block with your OEM Leafs will top out your shocks, and it will feel like you welded the axle to the frame.

 

[WMoroni]

Air bags are the way to go. I had the exact same problem as you. I've got a set of Carlis' on mine. I absolutely love them but could have gotten away with a less expensive set. I've got on board air now with the pacbrake so I will be plumbing the air bags in and geting a in cab controller. Don't need it but since I've got the air anyway I'm doing it.

 

[JGoss]

Air bags are not out of the question yet. I was just scared of the price and extra stuff on my truck to have to maintain. I think add-a-leafs would just be a lot easier. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[Lorenz]

In order to clarify, a 2'' add-a-leaf will have the same result if not worse than 2'' blocks. You'd be adding spring rate to a topped out shock.

 

[Cayuse66]

Like Sean said go with air bags. Mine already had add a leafs in the rear when I bought it and the ride is horrible. The smallest amount of bounce in the back has the rear end hopping while empty even with the bilstein 5100's. Stupid CA freeway expansion joints. Sean's dual purpose leafs and air bags are on my list to replace in the future.

 

[Bob4x4]

Just remember short air bags will limit travel



These will not

#ad




Bob

 

[Bob4x4]

Bajabob here went from the standard airbags (Firestone)to the long travel and was amazed at the improved ride. He is running Seans suspension as well.



Bob

 

[Lorenz]

We have a work around in the mix. We'll get the travel out of the Firestones with our new fangdangled air bag reservoir kit that's in the works.



The compression side of the Firestones is were the problem lies. When they ramp up, the stored air/energy doesn't have a place to go. bajabob was using 3-4'' of travel with the standard air bags and my 2. 25 System. I think we can more than double that with a couple of reservoirs in line.



If I can make it economicly feasable, we'll get it done.

 

[Regcabguy]

Airbags.

The Carli long travels are indeed a major improvement over the Firestone's,but if Sean can devise a way to strike a happy medium for guys who don't do a lot of off-roading but desire increased travel over the existing products out there,more power to him. I can vouch for his sincerity and skill. Same goes for Carli. I carry a 2000# Northstar popup all the time on my truck and Lorenz and Carli products have enabled me to barely notice it's there.

 

[Cattletrkr]

If add-a-leafs do not stiffen your ride, they aren't doing anything. That's what extra springs do. The only exception would be adding extra overloads. I have a set of Hellwig bolt-on overloads on mine. It is two more springs bolted onto the factory overloads. If you're not towing heavy or often, this would be the way to go. Cheaper and less hassle than airbags w/o any change in empty ride.

I have everything on mine: 2 extra leafs per side, 2 extra overloads per side, and airbags. The overloads are nice, but didn't help as much as I needed. The airbags (Air Lift) don't add anywheres near the 5K they advertise. Finally the add-a-leafs get me about where I need to be.

Question for the suspension gurus here. What shock is available for me to soften up the ride in the rear a little? I get absolutely no play in the springs if I jump on the tailgate (200lbs). On every bump, the rear slams back up as fast as it possibly can. The add-a-leafs are responsible for this. When I put the pack back in and set the truck down on them, they didn't sag at all.

Sure is nice loaded though.

 

[Lorenz]

''Cheaper and less hassle''





theres nothing cheaper than welding an 8'' block between your axle and the frame



I'll get serious again in a couple of posts...

 

[Bob4x4]

Question for the suspension gurus here. What shock is available for me to soften up the ride in the rear a little? I get absolutely no play in the springs if I jump on the tailgate (200lbs). On every bump, the rear slams back up as fast as it possibly can. The add-a-leafs are responsible for this. When I put the pack back in and set the truck down on them, they didn't sag at all.



Sure is nice loaded though.

You are kidding right?

If the springs are so stiff they don't move there is no way a shock will make it softer!If the spring does compress and that is what you are saying then you need a rebuildable shock that you can add more rebound to. You are grossly overloading your truck to be in that situation :-laf



Bob

 

[thashane]

I second the notion that a bigger block is not the way to go. I have seen blocks sheered on trucks with only 1/6 of the torque that a stock cummins puts out. Also you have to think of the fact that with a block or aal your truck will sit higher in the rear again unloaded which makes your leveling kit mute. Airbags seem like a logical decision as they are adjustable enabling you to reduce sag with most loads. The only drawback I've heard is that the 5psi required for firestone or airlift bags unloaded can add more dreaded stiffness to an already stiff ride.

 

[CPersing]

What about Timbrens?



Vehicle Suspension Kits - Timbren Suspension Enhancement Systems