Blocks

[Slobbermouth]

I have an 85 std cab with Marlin 4" front springs and Chevy rears. I have a 1 1/2 " block and I'm still about  1 1/2 " low.  So I'm thinking of putting in a 3" block. Will this have any disadvantages like axle wrap ?

[Rocksurfer]

A lot of people complain about them, but I've seen them on comp rigs including F-Toys. I am currently running a 3 inch on the rear of mine and have no complaints.

[toyotanner]

make sure to buy steel ... i myself have seen 2 aluminum blocks smash into nothing

[Rocksurfer]

I forgot about that part, do not go with the aluminum blocks like he said. Not only will they come apart they will and I mean will slowly crush at the ends allowing the axle to rock back and forth in the pads loosening the ubolts.

[FLRunner]

My experiance with blocks  is DO NOT USE THEM . 3 years ago  On a 3 day weekend we were in Tellico  going up to slickrock .   just as i started up the trail there was a decent size rock to get over Just as i got the front over BANG something went  At the time i had a Currie built 9inch rear end  And my first thought was oh oh  were am i going to get custom axles that fit this thing to get me out of here ? Then to my surprize when i looked out my window my rear tires were up by my door.    The blocks exploded letting my axle slide right up my springs and takeing everything out in the process .  After spending the next 8+ hours laying in the mud in the rain trying to peice together the truck just so we could get it off the trail and back to camp  I told myself NEVER again will i have blocks on my rig .  O sure doing the rear leafs cost more  But  i would have paid 10 times that amount that day to not have had that problem . Also  it made me really think about my rear exotic axle  Sure it was cool and suposed to be bullitproff But  what if i had broke a axle ? all my friends have regular Toy axles and carry spares  and in a pinch i am sure i could have found 1 at a local junk yard or what ever  but i would be in a jam if i was waiting for currie to cut me a new shaft and Ups to somehow get it to me .   lesson learned  keep it simple .

[Rocksurfer]

What type did you have alum, or steel? I've also seen plenty factory mounted blocks on 4wd Dodges and Chevy's, don't know about Ford.

[FLRunner]

Honestly i dont remember  they were Pro comp  .   I know fords come from the Factory with the blocks . Just going by my experiance . and yes i would always check to see if the ubolts were tight before a trip .  The truth is i have scene IFS rigs go up things  and fully custom built rigs break going up the same thing  so who knows .

[TIMS89CRAWLER]

if you run blocks I would highly suggest using a anti-wrap link bar of some sort

[Slobbermouth]

if you run blocks I would highly suggest using a anti-wrap link bar of some sort

One of my buddies suggested the same.  It might be better to switch over to Marlin springs ??

[jimbo74]

What type did you have alum, or steel? I've also seen plenty factory mounted blocks on 4wd Dodges and Chevy's, don't know about Ford.

some fords use a factory looking block thing that also houses a pad off the side of it for a bumpstop ---- usually the heavier duty 4x4 fullsize trucks

[DTB]

blocks are dumb....there....I said it

[Rocksurfer]

blocks are dumb....there....I said it

So are you, and I didn't need to say it.

Here's mine have had no problems with them, I think one day I will shorten those ubolts before a rock makes pretzels out of them.

[Joey88RUNR]

Wow....I like the Jack on Jack method i have never seen that before

[Rocksurfer]

Thanks couldn't get it high enough to get it off the ground in the rear so I went as far as I could with the floorjack and then took the bottle jack to finish getting it off the ground to put my shackles in. My truck is a little tall, notice the jack stands they are the only things tall enough to get it off the ground and the receiver is lower than my frame.

[blackdiamond]

www.4crawler.com for quality blocks

[germ]

I've run blocks for years and haven't had a problem on my Toy, but did have some problems on a 72 Blazer I owned with the U-bolts loosening and it rocking back and forth. Never had one disintegrate on me though. I did have one of those stupid aluminum 3 degree shim plates explode on a landcruiser while going across the 'con about 15 years ago, and had a similar experience with the axle sliding all over the place. (figured it out when the driveshaft came apart and started bouncing across the rocks and that sudden loss of power)

As a general rule, I'd recommend going without the blocks, as it's just one more piece that could fail and leave you stranded. Yes, axle wrap is a concern, but as long as you don't hammer it too much, I think it would be minimal. As a stop gap until you could afford the right lift spring, I think it would work.

Erik

[mikerob]

I had 4" blocks and I got axle wrap bad.  But they work good until you can get springs

[kneedownnate]

I've run blocks and yes, they can lead to hellacious axle wrap.  Small blocks aren't too bad, but I'd only use them temporarily till you can come up with a better solution.

[Slobbermouth]

Can someone point me in the direction to resize pics. I would like to show you what I got.


  Thanks !

[kneedownnate]

You need to have a program on your computer to resize pics.  I do mine through kodak I think so that probably won't work for you, but I'm sure somebody will pipe up with a down-loadable program.

[DFWFO]

Why the hell would you run a hitch that low on a offroad vehicle? just seeing that discredits everything you say.  Change your plates to goober. rocksfr...ha

NOT ON THIS FORUM

[blackdiamond]

Why the hell would you run a hitch that low on a offroad vehicle? just seeing that discredits everything you say.  Change your plates to goober. rocksfr...ha

Easy Big Shooter...this isn't PBB and that was pretty rough coming from a guy with 28 posts.  There is a 30 post minimum prior to 

[yota18]

Easy Big Shooter...this isn't PBB and that was pretty rough coming from a guy with 28 posts.  There is a 30 post minimum prior to 

Dang Blackdiamond way to crack the 

[DFWFO]

my bad, i'll slow my roll, but i do have a point. Wasnt trying to be that mean but i guess i was. I am from TX, we all talk trash here, but i got it, ill leave all that on pirate, i guess im just use to those guys.

[blackdiamond]

my bad, i'll slow my roll, but i do have a point. Wasnt trying to be that mean but i guess i was. I am from TX, we all talk trash here, but i got it, ill leave all that on pirate, i guess im just use to those guys.

No worries.  I would agree that the low slung receiver is a better "boat anchor" than an off road modification, but I bet he won't damage the trailing edge of the tailgate.

[twistedtoy92]

blocks are one of those temporary things that you run only untill you get better/longer/taller/flexier springs!!! i'd never by a set thats for sure!

[twistedtoy92]

or just re-arch your springs for more lift!! thats pretty simple to do and it works great!

[BLACKDOG]

my bad, i'll slow my roll, but i do have a point. Wasnt trying to be that mean but i guess i was. I am from TX, we all talk trash here, but i got it, ill leave all that on pirate, i guess im just use to those guys.

Just make sure you know who you're talking to before you start   I can almost garantee rocksurfer.. I mean.. goober.. has wheeled on harder trails than you have, and for far longer (sorry rocksurfer )  I'm betting that hitch came off when he wheeled last. 

[jimbo74]

infran view is what i use, i actually got it from a link psoted on this forum...

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=5512

[BLACKDOG]

infran view is what i use, i actually got it from a link psoted on this forum...

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=5512

 

Or you can upload them to photobucket.  Its free, and easy to use.