Rear lift and ride quality

[AHowe88]

Right now I have a 4" lift front and back, although the back is on blocks (bought it this way).

I really want to get rid of the blocks, and am trying to figure out what the best options are. The truck won't be used offroad, in fact it is barely used at all, unfortunately I live out of the country for now.

I'd like to go to a 5" or 6" lift in the rear to avoid rear end sag, which I have now.

I know I have several options.

New leaf springs for 6" of lift (http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....oducts_id=6350).

Or a shackle flip kit: http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?rout...product_id=112

Will there be a noticeable difference in ride quality? On the shackle flip, if I get the 6" shackles, that would only provide 3" of lift, right?

Any input from you guys would be appreciated.

[mtully79]

Rule of thumb is the higher you go, the more the ride quality will suffer. These trucks will bounce you around(part of the fun for me )

If you want a nicer ride go with the springs versus the shackle flip. Deaver springs have thinner springs and promise a softer ride, although I went with BDS 4" kit due to cost and love it.

Good luck!

[mcmlxix]

With the DIY shackle flip, you get 4" of lift with stock springs. No suffering of ride quality. It does however change the pinion angle a little and you may need a shim.

I think ORD (Offroad Design) offers the Zero rate 1" block...

If you want quality, go with deaver springs as mentioned above. You could combine the difference, shackle flip with a 2" lift spring for the rear.

[crv]

I have a '71 with Tuff Country 2" front/4" rear - all springs. Like mentioned above, its really "bouncy." It's tolerable on the street, but I use this thing as a beach cruiser in the sand dunes and it's almost unenjoyable to even drive out there. I'm having ORD build me a set of their custom leafs (Alcan) now as well as doing the flip kit in the rear hoping for a much better ride.

[A1971Blazer]

Any leaf-sprung, mono-beam axle, truck is going to ride a bit rough......just part of it.
In my experience, the BDS stuff rides as good as any you can get, but it's pricey.

[imjeff]

I prefer the springs. An empty pickup rides rough by necessity, but the newer springs are softer.

[AHowe88]

Thanks guys. I am not new to lifted trucks, or rough rides, but I want this to be as smooth as possible.

I think I will do a shackle flip with the 1" Zero Rates. I'll see where I sit and then add another inch with extended shackles if need be.