How far is the bumper stop from the axle in everybodies truck? I have about an inch in the front.... more in the back, though the back seems to be lower than the front. Which brings me to this... What's the most cost effective way of dealing with sag?

 

my 91 doesn't have much more than an inch if that. i am also looking for a cost effective solution. i would like to get 315's in there... but don't want to wear out the driveline! lol.

 

According to the FSM, when installing a snow plow they advise to use air shocks on the front . Just thought you would like to know.

I haven't put a measuring stick on it but mine are not much more if any. My old Ford f-250 with a big block showed about 2.5 inches so I added a leaf. I gained a whole half inch.

 

Anything more than a rumble strip and my bump-stops hit the springs. Front and back are close, though the front is closer. Still sags in back. Crunch, the older trucks use a shorter lift block in the rear, when compared to the 91.5-up trucks, which is why they sag even with decent springs. For 200-ish bucks, I'm gonna try airbags out back, only I'm gonna mount them so I need air all the time...essentially using the bags to hold the truck up (and higher than it is now) while the old springs just locate the axle. I'm figuring by building some bumpstop extentions, there will be a reasonable margin of safety if a bag should let go. I'm not talking about a lot of lift, just stock ride height. Skyjacker will set you up with the whole she-bang for a bit under a grand. This is all new springs, etc. Pretty good price for what you get, imo.
greg

 

I was eye balling that closeness to the bump stop yesterday while I was putting on my new steering shaft. It was only about 1 inch. I am not interested in lifting but I was thinking that a new set of lift springs without the factory blocks might keep the factory ride height close. My 91.5 had that "factory low rear" and I stuck a pair of rough country add a leafs on it. Worked great, the bad ride is still bad of course. Pretty cheap...about 35 bucks if I recall.

 

The 91 w250 that I just bought only has 20,822 miles on the clock, and it has about 1" of travel before the rubber stop hits the front axle. I was wondering if this was normal. This truck has never worked or been driven off road.

 

I had a stock 93 reg cab and a stock 93 super cab with the 6 inch rear blocks and they sat and looked good but both of them wondered all over the road. My buddy had a 89 with the short rear blocks and his truck drove rock solid. I guess the caster was less on mine and more on his. So if you jack up the back expect it to track down the road worse. IMHO

 

So... I gather everyone is close in the front, if their suspension is stock. Add a leafs being the CHEAPEST option, I might try to scare myself up some... shocks too. Think this is effective? I'm thinking it will clock in around $150.00, which is more towards my budget than the full suspension lift. Thanks for who chimed in.
Mike

 

Hey Greg,

My truck (91.5) has the short blocks, too. I put a set of ride-rite bags on this summer (after I put in the dump insert and filled the top of the new sides with firewood . . .)

I am very happy with how it works out, except that one of my bags leaks down pretty quickly -- so I have to keep airing her up. I need to take the quick-coupler off and reinstall it, but I put the fills inside the fuel filler door so it is a pita to take apart.

I would really like to put a compressor on the engine instead of the vacuum pump, and convert over to either hydro boost or air over brakes, but I just can't justify the expese for something that is only "to be cool".

By the way, I don't have ANY rubber bumpers left on the rear . . . Anybody have a good source for 'em?