Topic: Blocks vs longer shackles ?

[Slobbermouth]

I have an 85 std cab with 4" springs in the front.  I have 63" chevys in the rear and a 1 1/2" block and im about 1 1/2" low.  My shackles are 6 1/2" eye to eye currently. Should I go to a 3" block or a 8" shackle ?  Pros & cons if you have them ?

[boggerunner]

blocks cause axle wrap, build an H style shackle 

[COToy91]

Or put  a add-a-leaf into gain some more arch and lift in the chevy's or
do that and a longer shackle and loose the blocks, they are not very safe

[emsvitil]

Going from 6.5" to 8" shackle will only gain you about .75" lift

(you gain about half the increase in length)

[jonathan82toy]

    or switch to a smaller front shackle   

[All_Set]

Buy 4" or 5" Marlin rear springs!   

[fawndog]

Buy 4" or 5" Marlin rear springs!   

+1
those 3 leaf chevys are easy to bend (I had those and 9" shackles), I went to the marlins with the 6" shackle NO BLOCKS... WAY BETTER !! 

[TacoRunner]

Or you could go with the 3" block and build yourself a nice Torque arm bar to counter the axle wrap.  That would make the lift easy as pie and then after lots of hard work building a Torqure arm, you'd have lots of great traction.

[Slobbermouth [OP]]

Going from 6.5" to 8" shackle will only gain you about .75" lift

(you gain about half the increase in length)

 Good Point !  I didn't take that into consideration.

+1
those 3 leaf chevys are easy to bend (I had those and 9" shackles), I went to the marlins with the 6" shackle NO BLOCKS... WAY BETTER !! 

 I heard it takes a good year for the Marlins to break in ?

Or you could go with the 3" block and build yourself a nice Torque arm bar to counter the axle wrap.  That would make the lift easy as pie and then after lots of hard work building a Torqure arm, you'd have lots of great traction.

 Sounds like you have been down this road ?  Any idea's or pics on a Torque arm ?


  Thanks for all the input I really appreciate it !

[All_Set]

I believe he's refering to an anti wrap bar, or traction bar ?

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=464319

[jrock]

I heard it takes a good year for the Marlins to break in ?

Or less if its a bad one  . Why not add some leafs to your packs?

[TacoRunner]

Good Point !  I didn't take that into consideration.
 I heard it takes a good year for the Marlins to break in ?

 Sounds like you have been down this road ?  Any idea's or pics on a Torque arm ?


  Thanks for all the input I really appreciate it !

Traction bar/anit-axle wrap/Torque arm. It's all the same. Just search for some on here and you'll find it.

[Rocksurfer]

I didn't have any issues with 2" blocks on my 86 and also had about a 1" lift from a shackle.

[Slobbermouth [OP]]

Or less if its a bad one  . Why not add some leafs to your packs?

 I really like the flex I am getting with the 3 leaf . I would think by adding leafs It would decrease ?

[jrock]

I don't know? I wouldn't think so if you used added nicely arched springs. Doesn't Marlin and All-Pro's have a good number of springs? It's just that I hate blocks and super long shackles aren't my cup of tea.

[Talon84x4]

 I really like the flex I am getting with the 3 leaf . I would think by adding leafs It would decrease ?