Springs vs Blocks

[85k10383]

I am wanting to do a four inch suspension lift on my 85 K10. It has a three inch body lift already, and 33 inch tires. Are there really any benefits to replacing the rear springs on a modest lift like this? I am aware of the shortcomings of blocks, but was assuming that really only applies with BIG blocks. Am i wrong in that assumption? Can any of you speak to me from experience, ie what you have used when it come to which way I should go with this? The truck is primarily a soft roader, with occaisonal light mudding and winter time snow use BTW Thanx all!

 

[Irishman999]

I have seen alot of people using blocks. You should have no problems.

 

[82chevy350]

Blocks Would Be Alot Cheaper

 

[burbdood]

I had a 90 K5 Blazer with a 4" lift with blocks. Everyone told me that blocks would cause all kinds of problems like axle wrap and stuff like that. I never really experienced any big time axle wrap at all on road or off. I also got to keep the factory ride too since new leaves can be rough on the spine.

Rough Country sells a 4" lift for $350 with blocks and $500 with springs. I'm going with the springs all around only because I think I have a cracked leaf in the driver's side rear leaf pack. If it wasn't cracked, I'd go with a block all over again.

 

[burbdood]

One more thing though, if I were you, I'd ditch the body lift. I have never really trusted body lifts. I had a friend that had a Jeep Wagoneer with a 3" body lift on it. One day we were going down an old, old overgrown logging trail in the Sierra's when he hit a log that was partially buried laying across the road. When he hit it, his truck stopped, but the body didn't. It shifted forward about 4" or 5" and did a lot of damage.

 

[Jaymez]

Looking at the RC site, from where to where would I measure my spring lengths? From bushing center to bushing center or something else?

 

[crazy4offroad]

Unless previously modified, 1/2 ton trucks should be 52" rear springs. A popular mod instead of blocks is switching in 56" (3/4 ton) springs and a shackle flip kit, which most shackle flips yield 4" of lift. I have this setup with a couple AALs and a ZR to get me to 6" rear and it rides like a Cadillac compared to my stock 52" springs on 4" blocks (when I was running 4" lift).

 

[burbdood]

Looking at the RC site, from where to where would I measure my spring lengths? From bushing center to bushing center or something else?

Just measure the main leaf from spring eye center to spring eye center. Like crazy said, the most common spring length is 52" in 1/2 & 3/4 ton trucks and Blazers/Suburbans.

 

[Jaymez]

Sweet. Thanks.

Who has the best deal on a 4" spring lift going these days?

 

[Manbearpig]

Tuff Country is a popular choice I believe

 

[burbdood]

Out of all of the companies I've seen, Rough Country seems to have the best deals at $500 for an all spring lift, but I've heard their springs ride pretty harsh. Then again, I've heard folks say that they ride pretty good. The softest and most popular springs out there are from Tuff Country. They have EZ Ride springs for the front, but a 4", all spring lift runs about $780 while one with blocks run just over $400.

And I know that Skyjacker should be called Wallet-jacker because they're out there with their prices.

 

[Swims350]

rough country is the cheapest but they ride terrible. They are very stiff and that's front springs only with rear blocks. I'd spring the extra coin for the tuff country ez ride or the soffride from skyjacker or superlift whoever made the soffride ones.

I never had a problem with rear blocks no wrap or anything.

 

[Beatdown Z]

Shackle flip IMO. There are prob 3 or 4 companies making them too.

 

[MONGOK5]

YES THERE IS THREE I KNOW OF AND THE DIY4X BEEN THE BEST ON PRICE AND TECH HELP!

http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?route=product/product&path=24&product_id=120

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/shacklekit.htm

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/index.php

 

[bucket]

I've never had any problems running blocks, but the heaviest use they ever see is towing. I do torque the u-bolts every now and again though.