Hey guys I need to lift the rear end of my truck about a 2 inches. I was hoping to use an block & bolt kit. I really want to go as cheap, but safe as possible. If I could just find some 9/16bolt by 3in wide & 15 to 16 in long, I could make the blocks. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

You could do an Add-A-Leaf if 2" is all your shooting for...

 

Thanks muddin. I have thought about that, but not checked into it. I would guess an ADD a Leaf would work better than adding more heighth with blocks any way. Who has the best deal on add a leafs? Thanks

 

Does adding another leaf increase the spring rate to the point where its really hard on your back when the truck is empty?

 

Nope, I have rear add a leaf's on my 2500 HD and it rides the same. My 315's might be hiding the new harsness, but I couldn't tell a difference except my headlights are no longer good for squirrel huntin'

 

Go sit some Hellwig air bags, they are cheap and will not mess up your ride.

 

Josh I thought about doing the airbags, but the system I looked at was about 400 or so bucks. Not looking to spend that much. Thanks Blue

 

I ran ad-a-leafs. I actually have a new and used pair for sale witih new shocks but thats besides the point. I think new ad-a-leafs were like 80$ for a pair. Keep in mind you will need 2" longer shocks though. You dont however need to increase your break lines or anything. Arnt the bolts actually 1/2" not 9/16"? I got the extra length bolts I needed through atlas spring. I a off the shelf bolt from a hardware store would work I guess if it was grade 8 but only if you ground the head down. The ride was alittle stiffer but I think some of that was using an oil filed shock. You could add blocks too but the price differance is probbaly very little between the 2 unless you made them like you said. Just about any local 4x4 shop should be able to get you the goods. Also check your U bolt length. When I did the add-a-leaf with my truck and its over load springs I needed longer ones. on the truck without overloads it was ok. Blocks you may need U bolts because your adding 2" to the pack insted of 1/2"

 

Absolutely it does. I don't care what anybody says, an add a leaf drastically changes the spring rate and make a stiff spring even stiffer. Look at an add a leaf and compare it to the thickness of the factory leaves. See how it's twice as thick? See how it has more arch than the factory leaves? That's how it adds that 2". It forces more arch into the factory leaves. Newton's Third Lawof Motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In other words, the force exerted by the add a leaf to create the extra arch in the spring has to be countered by an equal amount of force to compress the spring. If the add a leaf exerts 100#/in. to force the arch into the spring, then the spring requires an additional 100#/in to compress.

It's actually alot more complicated than that, but you get the idea.

 

I agree that it does impart more upword force on the leaf package and that will make it a bit stiffer. Although to the point of a harsh ride? that depends on to many factors to guess at. However I dont agree you can tell by size or arch. Its all the compound of the metal and how its temperd. If it has very poor memory it will have very little "spring" it could have a huge arch and be 3" thick but never push up more then a few pounds.

 

I found them for you for $259 at the suspension connection, they are firestone airbags bolt on. Check them out.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for a ADD A LEAF? I am looking for the shorter style you put in under the lift spring pack & arch them. Thanks

 

Any help on this one?

 

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/...ml?id=5Ntzcvsc

BIGHEAD, this is what I have on my '99. It leveled it perfectly when I put in the Skyjacker D25 front springs. Lifted the rear right at 2". These are longer springs that go between the other springs and they gave my truck a smooth ride. Can't tell the difference between when they were stock. It came to $69.82 with shipping.

Mark

 

Thanks Mark, that is just what I was looking for. Will I need longer shocks with those? Thanks