Lift Blocks

[tomford]

I know its a stupid question and i tried searching but why is it bad to use lift blocks in the front? is it because the steering acts as leverage to "twist" them out or what?

Thanks for answering my dumb question

Tom.

P.S. i was arguring with my friend in why not to put them in but had no good reason why not to, just dont do it

 

[chulisohombre]

they do not stand up well to tortional force.and are illegal in the front for that reason.zero rates are the only legal block type lift in the front.and its because they become part of the sring pack like a add a leaf and are usually made of stronger steel than a lift block which in most cases is aluminum.the farther you lift the axle off the spring the worse your steering geometry gets also and cause a long list of problems.

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

why is it bad to use lift blocks in the front? is it because the steering acts as leverage to "twist" them out or what?

Exactly. The longer u-bolts needed for lift blocks do not hold up well to the forces created on a steering axle and the blocks have a tendency to spit out.

 

[imiceman44]

Exactly. The longer u-bolts needed for lift blocks do not hold up well to the forces created on a steering axle and the blocks have a tendency to spit out.

Well technically they are as dangerous on the rear as they are in the front.
The only difference that I can see with an unloaded truck is the engine weight on the front, it will put more lateral forces when you turn sharply, still a loaded truck will have the same forces when the rear whips from such a sharp turn.
For some reason, legally there is no problem with them in the rear.
I have seen a while ago a truck with a welded block on the front, technically it was part of the axle, it was welded to the spring pad on the axle side, it was only 2" tall, and it would never break but it still will put too much stress on the springs.
Now if I was to try and figure why the law minds the front ones but doesn't mind the rears is that in case the front one goes, control will be much worse than if the rear block spits out.

 

[82355]

They are not illegal everywhere.

Martin

 

[toomany]

Along with the steering forces on the front axle...the braking forces are also greater. I've seen axles "roll under" when lift blocks poped out during braking.

 

[82355]

Does anyone actually have pictures of front lift blocks going bad?

Martin

 

[rdn2blazer]

Lift blocks are dangerous and gay as could possibly be in the front, there gay in the rear too for that matter. Their the cheap and very budget way of lifting a truck. There are wayyyyy better methods of lifting a truck. DO NOT USE THEM PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is that clear and honest enough for ya

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Does anyone actually have pictures of front lift blocks going bad?

Martin

There probably aren't many because most people know how stupid they are. I can find tons of pictures of rear ones failing.

But as said the biggest issue is that front blocks are even more likely to come flying out because of steering forces, more weight, etc. The reason that they are illegal in most places is because once the front axle is loose you'll basically lose all steering control and when it first drops down it will probably jerk the steering one way or the other. Not what you want to happen on the highway

 

[82355]

I have never used them on the front, and have no intention to, but I really would like to see pictures of a failure. I have never seen one.

Martin

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I have never used them on the front, and have no intention to, but I really would like to see pictures of a failure. I have never seen one.

Martin

I can't say that I've seen any, but that may be to how rarely they're used and also to the fact that people probably wouldn't be chomping at the bit to show their stupidity on a public forum.

From a quick google search:

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/suspension/131_0708_4x4_front_lift_blocks/index.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070703225213AAgy532

 

[imiceman44]

I can't say that I've seen any, but that may be to how rarely they're used and also to the fact that people probably wouldn't be chomping at the bit to show their stupidity on a public forum.

From a quick google search:

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/suspension/131_0708_4x4_front_lift_blocks/index.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070703225213AAgy532

The 4wheeloffroad article said pretty much what I said, I guess I know what I am talking about

 

[82355]

So still no pictures? I am well aware of why you shouldn't run front lift blocks, and like I said, have no intention of doing so. I just wish some one would have pictures of a failed set. I have seen them used, I have NEVER seen them fail.

Martin

 

[Blue85]

Lift blocks are dangerous and gay as could possibly in the front, there gay in the rear too for that matter. Their the cheap and very budget way of lifting a truck. There are wayyyyy better methods of lifting a truck. DO NOT USE THEM PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is that clear and honest enough for ya

I think a short block is good for fine tuning the ride height. Springs only come in 2" increments for the most part and it can be a real guessing game to find an additional leaf that does exactly what you want. So when the back is 1" lower than the front, just stick a 1" block in there and be done. Cut overloads are great for about 3/4" inch. Either way you can drill them and bolt them to the spring pack which few people here will argue with. In this case, the solution works in the front as well.

Also, you can work a taper into a short block to change the pinion angle at the same time.

Now tall blocks....I have to agree with you there. The same goes for aluminum blocks. They would probably be safe if they were solid, but those hollow cast aluminum ones are bad news.

 

[K5Nate]

Lift blocks are dangerous and gay as could possibly in the front, there gay in the rear too for that matter. Their the cheap and very budget way of lifting a truck. There are wayyyyy better methods of lifting a truck. DO NOT USE THEM PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is that clear and honest enough for ya

Best response so far!!

 

[blazin' j]

82355, have u tried searchin the web for any pics??? seems other people have and posted articles or what have u...maybe if its sumthing YOU are interested in, YOU should surf tha web...

 

[blazin' j]

www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/suspension/131_0708_4x4_front_lift_blocks/index.html
4x4 Front Lift Blocks - Stop The Blockade!

Scary Truth Behind Front Lift Blocks
February, 2009
By Ali Mansour
Photography by Ali Mansour

​

For years we've been telling you to stay away from front lift blocks. Not only are they a danger to you, but to everyone around you as well. What makes them so bad? It all boils down to simple physics. Whether driving off-road at high speeds or cruising down the freeway at a normal pace, your vehicle creates a certain amount of rolling momentum. Whenever the brakes are applied, roughly 70 percent of the vehicle's weight is transferred to the front axle. This pitching action causes the front axle to roll forward, thus applying extreme pressure on the front U-bolts and springs. When you add a block into the equation it elevates the leverage point on the front axle, causing the axle roll to become even more dramatic. Enough force or pressure can be applied to fire the front block out from between the axle and the spring. This will result in loss of steering and frontend control, which may have a tragic result for you and the vehicle.

Some argue that welding the front blocks to the axle can eliminate the block from shooting out, and in their mind it's a safe fix. True or not, when you raise the spring perches higher on the axle you place a greater amount of force on the spring. The springs are now working harder to control the vehicle's vertical and lateral movement and can cause the axle to travel unpredictably, cause spring deformation, and also raise the leverage point on the axle. Sure, you won't shoot the block out, but instead the entire axle will wrap violently under the vehicle. Simply put: Don't run front lift blocks.

Welding front blocks or building...​

read full caption​

Welding front blocks or building tall perches creates a high leverage point that creates more stress for the leaf spring. This diagram illustrates the forces the vehicle encounters during cornering (shown turning left). The lateral force is now intensified as much of the vehicle's leverage is placed high above the axle. Axlewrap during acceleration is also compounded.​

This diagram illustrates the...​

read full caption​

This diagram illustrates the forces the vehicle encounters during braking. The front lift block sits in a high-pressure area and as a result could easily be ejected from between the spring and the axle resulting in complete loss of control over the front end. This only intensifies as tire sizes become larger due to greater leverage.​

The only thing worse than...​

read full caption​

The only thing worse than having one block in the front is having two! Not only has this truck raised the leverage point by creating a taller perch, but having a loose block resting between the spring and the perch is a recipe for disaster. Seventy percent of your vehicle's braking power comes from the front. Although the blocks here are only a few inches tall, they can easily distort the leaf springs and become deadly projectiles. Another note to mention is welding anything cast is terribly difficult and requires a skilled professional welder to lay a solid bead. So don't do it!​

 

[Greg72]

The 4wheeloffroad article said pretty much what I said, I guess I know what I am talking about

Correction: You're still learning....

 

[imiceman44]

Correction: You're still learning....

Common Greg
We all know I never stop learning, or else why would I be here?

So what are you doing here wasting time, we need updates.

 

[SuperMidget]

this might help explain, quoted from

4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/suspension/131_0708_4x4_front_lift_blocks/index.html

For years we've been telling you to stay away from front lift blocks. Not only are they a danger to you, but to everyone around you as well. What makes them so bad? It all boils down to simple physics. Whether driving off-road at high speeds or cruising down the freeway at a normal pace, your vehicle creates a certain amount of rolling momentum. Whenever the brakes are applied, roughly 70 percent of the vehicle's weight is transferred to the front axle. This pitching action causes the front axle to roll forward, thus applying extreme pressure on the front U-bolts and springs. When you add a block into the equation it elevates the leverage point on the front axle, causing the axle roll to become even more dramatic. Enough force or pressure can be applied to fire the front block out from between the axle and the spring. This will result in loss of steering and frontend control, which may have a tragic result for you and the vehicle.

Some argue that welding the front blocks to the axle can eliminate the block from shooting out, and in their mind it's a safe fix. True or not, when you raise the spring perches higher on the axle you place a greater amount of force on the spring. The springs are now working harder to control the vehicle's vertical and lateral movement and can cause the axle to travel unpredictably, cause spring deformation, and also raise the leverage point on the axle. Sure, you won't shoot the block out, but instead the entire axle will wrap violently under the vehicle. Simply put: Don't run front lift blocks.