Rear suspension thoughts (from a noob)

[Element]

Currently my truck has a 6" lift - blocks in the back, not sure up front (bought it like it is, and the guy I bought it from didn't do the lift).

Now, it seems a lot of guys dislike blocks because, I'm assuming, they can slide out, don't allow as much articulation, and seem like they increase the chance of axlewrap (more leverage due to the block). Now, I'm not really "in" on the best methods to achieve lift, so don't be too hard on me. I'm thinking about picking up a set of diy4x's shackle flip kit, which would equate to 4" of lift, but I'm not sure how to pick the other 2" up. I was thinking a 1" zero-rate for the rear, but as it sits now, the rear end is a bit saggy, and adding a 1" zero rate would cause it to sit level (so I really need 7" of lift). Can I go with a longer shackle to pick the extra 2" up? Shackle flip kit (4"), 1" zero rate, and new shackles (2")?

Here's a picture of the rear suspension as is (camera is held level):


Not sure if everything is supposed to be canted/angled back that far? Wheel seems to be pretty centered up in the wheel well.

This is another stupid question, but when one mounts the shackle flip kit, does it go in the same spot the stockers were sitting at? Does the location vary depending on other variables, in order to get the best shackle angle? At that, how does one determine the best angle? I'd think it would be at the position where the leaf spring side of the shackle would be just short of hitting the frame on full extension, but I'm not sure.

Now, on the front suspension...like I said, it's a 6" lift, but I'm not sure if they're different springs, or what.

Pics of the front suspension as is, and the shackle:



I'm not looking for monster articulation or anything, but if I can get rid of the blocks in the back, I'd like to. Ride height is fine for me right now, as 35s are all I plan to run for a while until I can get something stouter than the 10 bolts under the truck.

 

[Big Blzn]

Just me, but the blocks and the front springs look like they would be no bigger than 4" lof lift to me?????? At least that is what the pics look like.

 

[Element]

You know, I just went and measured them (never thought to before) and they're 4.5" blocks. When I took it for a spin the first time, it cleared 39.5" tires while driving on the road, just clipped the fender flares a tiny bit on hard turns.

Here's the measurement from the ground to the eye of the front of the rear leaf:

 

[obijuan]

yours looks to be a 4 inch lift.
i get to be a pic whore!! i just did this today, the brackets go in the stock location like this:

heres my no weight shackle angle, i am pretty sure the shackle angle is perfect from the get go with the kit.

for me i needed 7 inches, i threw in a 2 inch add a leaf as well as the zero rate to relocate my axle. i should be nosediving a little bit when its done. fix that with a zero rate on the front someday.


here is a six inch spring:

 

[Element]

Interesting. Another stupid question - when you unbolt the shackle, does the leaf pack "pop", like a compressed spring would do when tension is released? Never had to drop a leaf pack myself.

 

[obijuan]

you make it such that theres no weight on the spring when you do this. so theres no energy stored and it wont pop back at you. unbolt the axle and jack up the truck.