Off Roading Lift blocks

[MTParker]

I have been searching for 6" - 7" lift blocks for my 99 3500 4x4.



I have 2. 5 " on the front and want the rake back I am installing a set of ladder bars and want the lift before I mount the bars.



the tallest blocks I have found are 5. 5"



any help greatly appreciated

 

[BWillard]

Your best bet is to add a leaf or swap out the spring pack. There is a reason you can't find bigger blocks-----too much leverage on the rear springs! Big blocks=big spring wrap! Even if you put ladder bars on, it will still hop or bounce around with big blocks. I bought a Chevy truck once and it had homemade 7" blocks on the rear, what a nightmare! One ended up breaking and just about reaked havoc going down the highway. You'll get a better and safer ride with a new springpack. Hope this helped.

 

[JTroiano]

I don't remember how the shackles are on are trucks but you can get a couple inches if you flip them or make them longer. It depends on which way they are designed.

Jon T

 

[BCook1]

Skip the blocks

I dumped the blocks in my 92. Spring wrap. I had 4 inch blocks with 6 inch springs in my 82 - nightmare. Even ladder bars did not completely stop the hop. Also, you will need 1inch diameter u bolts to hold blocks that large - they will twist off or "walk". Don't do it unless you enjoy fighting problems and breaking things.

 

[CumminFast]

I am ordering 2" blocks from superlift to stack on my factory blocks.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

You people are nuts 7" blocks, STACKING blocks, I don't know which is worse.



Stacking blocks is a huge mistake, and a big block is only stighly better.



Oh ya, never put blocks in the front either.



get the correct springs to do it right, don't take short custs and try to save money.

 

[jrobinson2]

The T Rex rear mini leaf pack raised the rear of my truck about 2" and helped the ride quite a bit.

Jared

 

[CumminFast]

What the hell is the difference between a stacked block and one block????? You think it is going to jump out of there? Why would superlift even make a system like that if it was unsafe?

 

[BCook1]

Blocks

To the best of my knowledge, no manufacturer ever used anything larger than a 6" block in the back and no blocks in the front. A "tolerance" is designed into vehicles from the factory to allow for a variety of uses. The 6 inch blocks were used since the mid seveties and have always been a problem. Check out the TSBs on the first gen trucks. The problem is that the block moves the axle farther away from the springs and therefore increases the leverage the axle has on the spring during acceleration and deceleration. The result is spring wrap and it is a serious problem. The spring deforms into an S shape and then snaps back violently. If you call any spring manufacturer, they will recommend against taller blocks and stacking blocks. Stacked blocks rarely have anything to hold them from twisting away from each other. Stock U bolts are not strong enough to hold them together. Plus, think of the side forces generated when cornering - axle goes one way and the body goes the other. Again, unless you want a ton of problems and like breaking things, don't use blocks if you can avoid them. Take a look at larger trucks - see if you can find a block in any of them. If they worked, the manufacturers would use them. As with our trucks, they didn't work and the manufacturer still used them

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Originally posted by CumminFast

What the hell is the difference between a stacked block and one block????? You think it is going to jump out of there? Why would superlift even make a system like that if it was unsafe?

I don't think, I know, I have seen it happen. And in the off road world it is common knowledge that blocks are a problem and stacked blocks are just a mistake. Side loads on blocks are generaly the biggest problem, and they make alot of axle wrap which is another problem.

 

[College Cummins]

I agree with everyone on here that said that blocks are NOT the way to go. That being said, I reacently did a five inch lift on my Ramcharger, and did add-a-leaves and a five inch block in the back, just becuase of the money issue. If you can afford to not do a block, it is the best situation. If not, the smaller the block the better. I only have the block in there, til I do a shackle flip on the rear to eliminate the block altogether. Axle wrap is the main concern of teh blocks, as others have mentioned. If used in normal driving situations, and not pushed I think blocks will do alright, but if at all possible, no blocks are the way to go. James

 

[CumminFast]

My truck is just for looks and it does not go offroad. I dont think it will hurt having just 2" more of blocks under the truck. How does skujacker raise the rear w/ their 7" lift? Is it just a 7" spring pack? Does anyone know how much they are?

 

[patcarman]

i dont want to say anyones wrong, but there are lift blocks on the front of my 2003 peterbilt 379 ,but it has extreamly large u bolts to hold it and it doesnt go in the mud ,and my 2001 factory dodge has 4. 75 in blocks in rear,but if i was to lift the whole truck i would bo eith springs,i think blocks might be ok in some situations,just my 02 worth

 

[mjoppie]

i dont even think that anything over 4. 5" is even legal. in michigan its not and theres no stacking blocks either. ive seen trucks running around with 12" lift blocks. and the wild thing is it had 12" blocks in the front with negative arched springs :--) driving death trap!!!!!

 

[MTParker]

thanks for the replies I fixed it some time ago.



took rear springs to spring shop added 3" of lift with rearch and new leaf also went with 3/4" U bolts and the ladder bars. I do alot of truck Pulling and abusive street driving at 496 RWHP and 1052 Lb' + 100 shot of nitrous which I have know Idea what it adds but hold on (cant wait for twins and 220 injectors). Oo.

 

[patcarman]

how could anything over 4. 5 be illegal,my truck came with 4. 75 stock... must be your new law... . guess i better sell my truck before i go to jail

 

[mjoppie]

i dont know, maybe i read it wrong, but it isnt far off.

http://www.truckworld.com/How-To-Tech/97-lift-laws/lift-laws.html

it says 4"+ whatever that means, over stock or not i have no idea. i just remembered this when i seen this post.



matt



bty mine has blocks in it and almost 100,000 cobined miles of no trouble

 

[TJSHOTROD]

I had stack blocks.

I stacked a 6" block on the factory one due to lack of funds when I was installing my lift but it cost me a lot more in the long run. I spit out the lift blocks at a tractor pull and caved in both fenders. So I install the the pack I should of done in the first place and now have to pay about a $1000 to fix the fenders.

T. J.

 

[TKingsbury]

My truck had stacked blocks in it when I bought it. They had been there since it was almost new with no problems, but I still didn't like 'em. I put a set of 6" lift springs in the rear and did away with the blocks all together. Just more piece of mind. As a side note about the large trucks (Peterbilts and such) having front lift blocks, I believe they are all bolted to the pack with the spring center bolt and usually aren't more than 2" or so tall.

Travis. .

 

[Bob4x4]

What the hell is the difference between a stacked block and one block????? You think it is going to jump out of there? Why would superlift even make a system like that if it was unsafe?

Yes !!! I have towed MANY trucks out with there tires chewing up the fenders because they spit the blocks out :-laf :-laf . Take a look at those little u-bolts holding it together,now throw some big torqe at it and guess what will give up first. When I am offroading I want to be able to put my foot to the floor if need be and not worry about what will come apart. Stacked blocks are dangerous and will not pass an inspection in most states.



Bob