Lift blocks bad for offroading?
Stacking blocks is ALWAYS a big no no. It is dangerous, as the blocks shift around under there, stretching your u-bolts out and messing up suspension geometry. U-bolt failure can be fataly, and will never happen at a good time. Also, never ever ever use a block on the front suspension. With the steering system putting lateral force on it, plus all the usual stresses it goes through, It would just be a disaster waiting to happen.
I would personally stay away from blocks taller then 4 or 5 inches. Shackle flips, hanger relocation, replacement leaf packs etc are all better ways of lifting a truck, as the leverage from axle to springs is not nearly as affected.
I would personally stay away from blocks taller then 4 or 5 inches. Shackle flips, hanger relocation, replacement leaf packs etc are all better ways of lifting a truck, as the leverage from axle to springs is not nearly as affected.
Champion
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,891
Likes: 8
From: NorCal
Provide more information to their points if you still have something to get understood.
Define "off-road" as you intend to do it.
Just a few things right off the top of my head:
If "off road" means mountain trails, suspension travel and compliance (softness) are more important than raw lift. You'll want ground clearance but not so much that you tumble down the mountain on an off-camber maneuver, and a suspension that will follow the terrain at lower speeds. (This is where most of my off road experience is, and I've a habit of going where others don't/can't, and getting home again.)
If "off road" means whooping it up in mud bogs that can be reached easily enough, lift is more important than suspension travel -- you don't want the undercarriage anchoring your truck. (I've never been much for mud bogging as it seems pointless to me, but I've known lots and lots of guys who were into it and darn good at it.)
If "off road" means baja racing, you want lots of suspension travel but less compliance than a mountain rig because you're bashing into things at a high rate of speed. Lift would be somewhere between mud bogging and mountaineering -- you need enough to clear the obstacles, but not enough that you lose high speed stability. (I've no experience racing these conditions on four wheels, but I've worked on baja vehicles.)
So, how are you intending to punish your poor innocent truck?
Just a few things right off the top of my head:
If "off road" means mountain trails, suspension travel and compliance (softness) are more important than raw lift. You'll want ground clearance but not so much that you tumble down the mountain on an off-camber maneuver, and a suspension that will follow the terrain at lower speeds. (This is where most of my off road experience is, and I've a habit of going where others don't/can't, and getting home again.)
If "off road" means whooping it up in mud bogs that can be reached easily enough, lift is more important than suspension travel -- you don't want the undercarriage anchoring your truck. (I've never been much for mud bogging as it seems pointless to me, but I've known lots and lots of guys who were into it and darn good at it.)
If "off road" means baja racing, you want lots of suspension travel but less compliance than a mountain rig because you're bashing into things at a high rate of speed. Lift would be somewhere between mud bogging and mountaineering -- you need enough to clear the obstacles, but not enough that you lose high speed stability. (I've no experience racing these conditions on four wheels, but I've worked on baja vehicles.)
So, how are you intending to punish your poor innocent truck?
For the longest time, blocks were a 'last resort' for lifting the rear. The longer the block, the more leverage the rear has on the springs, the higher the likelihood of axle wrap, and wheel hop. Stacking blocks was also considered a MAJOR no-no. These days, I think just about every lift company that makes kits for the dodge trucks use longer blocks, and also stacks them. I don't pretend to understand this. To my knowledge, physics haven't changed.
That said, (and, as has been said before) it all depends on HOW you use your truck, as to what is an acceptable method of lift. For mild off-roading, or, a street only truck, blocks are just fine. If you want to run difficulty 4 or higher trails though, I really don't think it is going to be the correct answer.
For folks that want more lift, without resorting to taller blocks, AAL's work fairly well, if you want to go still higher, look at shackle flips. Still not enough? Replace the entire spring pack.
That said, (and, as has been said before) it all depends on HOW you use your truck, as to what is an acceptable method of lift. For mild off-roading, or, a street only truck, blocks are just fine. If you want to run difficulty 4 or higher trails though, I really don't think it is going to be the correct answer.
For folks that want more lift, without resorting to taller blocks, AAL's work fairly well, if you want to go still higher, look at shackle flips. Still not enough? Replace the entire spring pack.
Record Breaker
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
i got the 4 inch AAL and it only gave me 2.5 inches in the rear. i run 6 inches of lift, and my rear had stacked blocks when i bought it. that only lasted aout a month and highway driving was all i had done in that time frame. i shed a block on 3 seperate occasions from the axle shifting back and forth. blocks are a no no. i have AAL's now, but my christmas present to myself if i dont do a NV4500 conversion will be lift springs
Last edited by BackwoodsRam; Nov 9, 2011 at 05:11 PM.
Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
You had stacked block is what caused your problems correct not one solid block?
From what I have been reading lately blocks will be ok for what I want to do. My truck sees mostly pavement/grass but I do want to occasionally go "offroad" what I mean is moderate trails nothing crazy.
Does it sound like blocks will work for what I want to do?
From what I have been reading lately blocks will be ok for what I want to do. My truck sees mostly pavement/grass but I do want to occasionally go "offroad" what I mean is moderate trails nothing crazy.
Does it sound like blocks will work for what I want to do?
