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Blocks front and rear?

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think_07

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I'm trying to actually get my K5 on the trail this year, but the way my finances are currently it isnt allowing me to have much of a budget for it. Would I be able to put like 4" blocks front and rear for now until I can afford a proper lift? Its not like I want to do this, but its alot better than having it sit for another season. What do you all think..
 
Blocks in the front is dangerous! Thye are not legal in the front in most states. If it is trail rig I still wouldn't do it.
 
Okay if its not safe I won't do that. Just a question, why is it not safe though? Just so i know. It is a trail only rig. I can wheel at stock height, but I just don't want to trim the crap out of it, or by smaller tires now, just to have to buy bigger ones next year. It was just a thought.
 
think_07 said:
Okay if its not safe I won't do that. Just a question, why is it not safe though? Just so i know. It is a trail only rig. I can wheel at stock height, but I just don't want to trim the crap out of it, or by smaller tires now, just to have to buy bigger ones next year. It was just a thought.
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theres WAY too many goofy forces going on with a steer axle. It puts stress on weird stuff and can MUCH MUCH easier spit a block out...think about how bad it would be to spit out a REAR block...front is 10x worse since you wont be able to really steer at that point.

block kits cost 50-60$ usually, rt? you can find a set of used front springs CHEAP...if you have time but no money, do the old style 52" front spring swap. It cost about 10$ for hardware and cheap to nothing to cut out the old rivits depending on how you go about that. New springs are only a few hundred and worth it to be safe. You can also do AALs up front (2" springs for about 150$ for all 4 springs...) and zero rate AAL too if you would like for another inch for about 40-50$ for the pair. Theres plenty of ways to get cheap lift up front and be safe. I went the 2" AAL route on my truck for a while and liked it alright. Added 1" zero rates and it was ok as well. You COULD also add slightly longer shackles, but that can affect castor. Later i went to 6" lift springs + 1" zero rate which was a good, cheap combo...now have b52 brackets, longer shackles and oe 52s minus overload from a 87 blazer...each set up had less than 300$ into it.
 
redneckdude said:
theres WAY too many goofy forces going on with a steer axle. It puts stress on weird stuff and can MUCH MUCH easier spit a block out...think about how bad it would be to spit out a REAR block...front is 10x worse since you wont be able to really steer at that point.

block kits cost 50-60$ usually, rt? you can find a set of used front springs CHEAP...if you have time but no money, do the old style 52" front spring swap. It cost about 10$ for hardware and cheap to nothing to cut out the old rivits depending on how you go about that. New springs are only a few hundred and worth it to be safe. You can also do AALs up front (2" springs for about 150$ for all 4 springs...) and zero rate AAL too if you would like for another inch for about 40-50$ for the pair. Theres plenty of ways to get cheap lift up front and be safe. I went the 2" AAL route on my truck for a while and liked it alright. Added 1" zero rates and it was ok as well. You COULD also add slightly longer shackles, but that can affect castor. Later i went to 6" lift springs + 1" zero rate which was a good, cheap combo...now have b52 brackets, longer shackles and oe 52s minus overload from a 87 blazer...each set up had less than 300$ into it.
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You really have to use crossover steering to get 52's to work.
 
52's are easy to install but 56's are even easier (no moving your shackle hanger) BUT you forgot to mention that if running 52 or 56 or?? that he will need cross-over steering. which really isnt all that expensive but if you buy a brand new or re-mand 2wd steering box the costs will add up a little but you will be doing it the right way.
 
Do it! Do it! I wanna see pics of this!
 
With 52s or 56s you will also need longer shocks and driveshaft, unless you have limiting straps.
 
I am editing this thread to make a new one because it didnt really fit into this topic.
 
Last edited:
think_07 said:
I am editing this thread to make a new one because it didnt really fit into this topic.
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Hahaha...way to hijack the thread, fellas. As redneck dude mentioned your best bet here is probably an add-a-leaf. They would most likely run you about 50 bucks an axle for 2 to 3 inches and zero rates ($45 apiece) would give you another inch on that so you're looking at around $300 for a solid 4 inches of lift that would be better than any blocks.

That being said you could just do the AAL's plus the zero rates for 4 inches up front and 4 inch blocks in the back and that would save you quite a bit of cash while giving you plenty of lift for a trail rig. Keep in mind that you'll probably need a dropped steering arm and possibly brake lines as well. Do you have tires already or are you going to be buying those too?
 
theres planty of people selling used lift springs on here and other forums. i even find lift springs on trucks in the bone yard quite often.
 
Haha, that reminds me, I've recently seen two K5's with lift blocks on the front.

Remember, there's the Rough Country 4in shocks and all for a little over $300. Doesn't get much cheaper than that, no matter how you slice it. You can also spend your money on a proper lift and then find a deal on used tires/wheels.
 
I am running that very same 4 inch Rough Country lift right now (installed by the PO) and it's been great as far as a bargain lift goes.
 
Don't use blocks, just cut a bunch of overload leaves to size and stack 'em up front.:yikes: :doah::haha:
I don't know what the deal is with the steering, looks pretty scary to me.
Guess what kind of truck it is....furd.

scary150.jpg

scary151.jpg
 
Yikes! ^

USSkoval said it all: Complete 4 inch kits start at about $300. Save your money for an extra month or whatever and do it right.

My budget recipe was:

3" Tuff Country springs front $200/pair
used 4" blocks in the back (local Craig's List) $20 (with U bolts)
Superlift "Scratch-n-dent" shocks from their e-bay store $10 each
Ford superduty shock tower mod: $20/pair.

Didn't get a full 4 inches in front because I leveled out the "blazer sag". For the money and expertise involved, this setup works GREAT.

Oh, if you really flex it out on the rocks, you'll also need:

Front brake lines for an '89+ IFS pickup: $14.99 each

I will offer one other bit of advice... if it's a trail rig, what's wrong with trimming? :hack: If you want big tires before big suspension, don't be afraid of the saw. I ran 35's on my stock suspension for over a year :D
 
Don't use blocks in the front, you WILL die in a fiery wreck. What size tires are you wanting to run? 33s fit with no trimming. 35s fit with a little trimming (clip the corners)to the front fenders. I ran 35s on my blazer with no lift for awhile and it wheeled great. I can post a pic if you want to see what it looks like.
 
A pic would be great thanks. I don't mind hacking my truck up at all, I am thinking of going with at least a 35", I still have 1/2 ton running gear, but once I break it that will be an incentive to move up in the world.
 
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