Rear springs vs rear Blocks

[orangeuavol]

Which is better for a 4" lift? Rear Blocks or 4" lift rear springs?

[Beast388]

Definately springs!!

Believe me when I tell you that losing your rear blocks after a 1-2 shift at WOT is not something you want to experience. Ask me how I know.

[orangeuavol]

Thanks for the heads up.

[70Chevy4x4Nut]

I am planning on getting a 2.5" skyjacker lift for my truck. I want to use blocks because of the initial expense. If I don't like them would I be able to purchase the rear springs from skyjacker or some other company? I figured 2.5" would not be too high for blocks.

[Bowed]

In normal driving rear blocks up to 4" are safe . I have used them on several trucks without any problems . Also Lift springs have a greater arch and will ride harder then your original springs with blocks .

[Destructo]

I know a guy with a burb that had 4" blocks in the rear and one day while wheeling it popped the nuts off the u-bolt and just dropped the axle out. He went to a shackle flip after that. Go with new springs or a shackle flip, their both a MUCH better option than blocks, unless its a pavement queen then you'll probably be ok.

[70Chevy4x4Nut]

I think for now it will be a pavement queen. But I will have some springs bought or made in the future. Right now I want to cut back on the expense so I can have the truck on the road within a year or two. Then I will do rims, tires, and gear ratio swap, and new rear springs. Thanks for the replies.

[Mudder]

I wheeled my truck for many years with 4" blocks and never had any problem with them. I would go to springs if I ever go to 6".

[justinf]

4" blocks or smaller should be fine. I wheeled a Toyota truck for years with 35s and 5.29 gears and a V8. I abused the hell out of that truck and the blocks never gave me any trouble.

[Joey-D]

Think of it this way, which is safer for you as a person; would you rather have 4" longer legs or walk on 4" stilts all the time. I have a 6" lift; 4" blocks and one add a leaf. I have gone through 3 sets of blocks, the reason is the nipple breaks off because the axle wrap is redicous. If you do more than 2" blocks, you better count on some ladder bars or driving like a little old lady because you will have problems. If cost is a factor, what is cheaper, one set of springs or replacing blocks every 6 months? Also a cheap and very smart alternitive is shackles, by using a rear most shackle off a k5 blazer upside down as the front shackle on your rear spring gives you 4" and will cost what $20 at the junkyard. I believe that is how it works, will post the thread I read it in if I can find it.
Just my 2 cents though.

[smokkey1]

go with the 4" shackle flip from ORD it will flex better than blocks and safer....


justin

[Joey-D]

Blazer shackle Flip

[justinf]

Good blocks, and keeping the u-bolts tight should work fine. I do agree springs or a shackle flip is better, but 4" blocks are fine.

Like I said, I ran that toyota hard, and it had pretty decent axle wrap, I even drove it on the road like that for a couple of years and I never once had a problem with the blocks. Even with axle wrap, as long as the ubolts are tight, it shouldn't really affect the block, the block will rotate with the axle.

Another example, I ran 4" blocks in the rear of my K20 for mud racing. It had 33" boggers and a 350hp small block. Again, I never had a problem with the blocks, even when I took half the spring pack out.

I am just trying to point out that blocks will work fine in most cases.

[orangeuavol]

thanks for the info!

[1FaastC10]

i vote for the shackle flip too!

[500HP/SB]

my 70 k10 has a 4" lift with 35's and i run about a 450hp small block. it was done by the previous owner but it looks like 2 inch blocks and an ad-a-leaf. when i get wheel spin on pavment i get noticeable axel wrap. but no problem so far.

[The Dude]

i would definately go shackle flip, and if you really want to keep costs down i read somewhere on customtruckshowcase.com about dn easy way to do it with all stock parts.