Took my truck into the shop the other day because my tires were wearing pretty odd in the front. Tires are only about a year old, figured the alignment was off. Any way, turns out my front shocks are blown and that's whats wearing my tires. Shop quoted me $535 for two front shocks and the stabilizer shock. Came home and ordered the rough country 2.5" suspension level kit, comes with both front and rear shocks, 2" rear blocks and 2.5" coil spacer and a rough country stabilizer bar for $230 shipped. Figured for half the price and way more stuff..why not. So my question is..

1) It appears as though I have an upper and lower rubber coil spring isolator, all the websites and diagrams I see say our trucks only have upper isolators? Can anyone confirm this? The problem is I can see mine cracked and bulging out so was gonna replace them while I have it all apart but nothing says anything about lower ones.

2) My truck has 3" blocks in rear, is that stock? Rough country was surprised they were 3" but said Id have to put their 2" block on top of mine.

Truck is a 97 1500 4x4 Laramie. Any help with the questions would be helpful. Kit is going to be here tomorrow. Thanks

 

if its a 4x4, its going to have blocks in the rear stock. the 4x4 model comes with somewhat of a stock lift and bigger tires. Youve got the same exact truck as me. I'm also not sure why you ordered a level kit either, since your truck should be leveled stock

 

What do you mean it should be level stock? It has 3" blocks in the rear and nothing in the front. Either way the weight of the motor would make the front lower from the factory. As far as why I got the kit, like I said above, I was able to get 2 front,2 rear shocks, stabilizer shock and the level lift for half the price of 3 shocks from the shop. So why not?

 

And I knew the 4x4 came with blocks just wasn't sure if they were 3" or not. Im assuming they are stock 3" blocks. If that's the case Ill have to add the 2" on top If I put the 2.5" spacers in the front. Does your truck have the rubber isolators on top and bottom of coil spring?

 

The isolaters are there just to prevent the springs from rattling in their mounts.

I am REALLY not a fan of stacking blocks. Everything I ever read about it years ago, told me it was an incredibly BAD idea. Why darn near every suspension company now does it, is beyond me.

Keep in mind, your bump stops are also part of that block in the rear. You want to keep those on TOP. Otherwise, you are going to allow the axle to stuff itself an additional two inches into the fender well...... which may lead to tires encountering metal. Not really a good scene.

I would be tempted to skip the rear blocks altogether, or, if you want some more lift in the back, get an add-a-leaf, or something.

 

So is there isolators on the bottom of the springs? If so are they the dame as the top? Every parts store and online diagram only show upper isolators but i have something rubber on the bottom as well

 

Should be able to download the parts manual from the faq section here. Have a look at that.

 

Yeah I looked on that it just shows upper rubber isolators. Doesnt say anything or show any lower ones. Was hoping someone could check theirs and see

 

Mine has so many miles on it, I doubt that they are even there any more. Wonder if it is just part of the spring, and not available separately.

 

That could be, so I guess ill just buy new uppers and leave the bottoms how they are. Pretty messed up though.