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add a leaf or block?

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Old 05-08-2007, 02:30 PM
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add a leaf or block?

i looked around and found a few things that talk about leaf vs blocks but it didnt really answer my concern.
im getting the tuff country 5" lift. i already have 2" fabtech lift with a add a leaf.
the tuff country comes with blocks.
what i want to know is can i just get another add a leaf or do i need to remove the extra add a leaf?
almost everyone says blocks are bad, so i would like to not have them if possible.
does anyone know if its better or safe or anything to do a leaf instead of blocks??
i dont know much about lifts so im not sure if im asking the question right.
please help.

thanks.
Old 05-08-2007, 02:33 PM
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add a leaf for sure.
Old 05-08-2007, 02:56 PM
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A good rule of thumb is the following:

If you can figure out any way to avoid using blocks, do so.

A combination of AAL's and Shackles are a much better way to go. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages, neither is as bad as blocks. With blocks, the advantage is the low price. The disadvantage is everything else about them.
Old 05-08-2007, 07:12 PM
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no blocks....as WATRD said, AAL and shackles...youll be way better off..
Old 05-08-2007, 09:30 PM
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Still never could understand why blocks are bad. Yeah, they look cheap, but, what problems do they cause?
Old 05-08-2007, 09:33 PM
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Originally Posted by SC4Runner
Still never could understand why blocks are bad. Yeah, they look cheap, but, what problems do they cause?
a block just lifts the spring off the axle, the way it tensions up with the spring makes it verrry prone to breaking and could put you in an accident in a hot minute.
Old 05-09-2007, 12:06 AM
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They also cause axle wrap. The axle actually wraps backwards when the wheels turn forward. I had a 5 inch block on my ranger and everytime I gunned it I had this loud hard bang. I realized my axle was wraping and slamming the heck out of my driveshaft. Replaced the blocks w/ 6 inch lift springs and never had the problem again. I think small blocks are okay like 1 or 1.5 inches but why bother? Just get shackles!
Old 05-09-2007, 12:15 AM
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buy the cheap block so you can save for a new leaf pack rather then spending liek a 100 bucks for add a leafs.

MAKE SURE to get rid of any fabtech parts or hardware(bolts) when u replace that lift.

Last edited by deserttoy84; 05-09-2007 at 12:16 AM.
Old 05-09-2007, 12:41 AM
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axle wrap breaks springs and drive shafts.

Blocks are and increased risk for axle wrap.

under wrap, blocks can also get "spit out" from bewteen the axle and spring, even if the spring and driveshaft are okay.
Old 05-09-2007, 12:57 AM
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my friend runs 2 inch block on his chevy 1500 and tows with it and it has a v-8 and he has no problem with axle wrap. like i said. use blocks till you can save for leaf packs
Old 05-09-2007, 01:01 AM
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I would do some research and fork over the money for a new leaf pack. There is a spring shop here that a few friends have bought from and they built whatever they wanted for about $200 a set.
Old 05-09-2007, 02:09 AM
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the shackles cost the same as blocks+new u-bolts! Blocks suck!
Old 05-09-2007, 09:38 AM
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Blocks are ok on full size trucks. The leaf springs on a full size are stout enough to resist axle wrap, even with the increased leverage created by a lift block. The tiny little springs on a stock Tacoma don't have the strength to resist axle wrap without a block, let alone with one. My truck has terrible axle wrap problems with an AAL in the stock spring pack, I can only imagine how bad it would be if it didn't have the extra support of the AAL and if it did have the added leverage of a lift block...

2wd, locked, in sand is where I have the worst problem. Feels like the truck is gonna rattle apart sometimes.

To the OP, don't use lift blocks on a taco. Find any other combo of parts to get the lift you want. Unless you never leave the pavement, then use whatever gets you lift, and chrome it...
Old 05-09-2007, 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by deserttoy84
my friend runs 2 inch block on his chevy 1500 and tows with it and it has a v-8 and he has no problem with axle wrap. like i said. use blocks till you can save for leaf packs
That is a full size, not a toyota.

Those are 2 inch, not 5.

My truck with no blocks wraps springs if i'm not paying attention.

Blocks do not cause axle wrap. Axle wrap occurs on its own. Blocks just make it worse.
Old 05-09-2007, 11:40 AM
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A fullsize rig can carry more weight though. Ive broke a set of 2" blocks by pulling a trailer loaded with wood. Did no damage (except for the blocks) but blocks still arent the best setup for a full size either.
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