This is great information. Good job dissecting the different lift options. I just found this channel, if you haven't, you should do a comparison between the difference between these lift options here and suspension performance upgrades. That seems to be a point of confusion for some people. So much time is spent by people getting lifts to fit larger tires, the assumption is, it automatically improves off-road performance.
Great info, thank you. Question: I'm thinking about the leaf spring upgrade all around, but I didn't quite understand why they would be better than the Blocks or Shackles.
the leaf spring is almost set solid for a certain weight and geometry. It’s bent at a certain angle if that makes sense. If you stuff in blocks or shackles your stressing the leaf & bending it a bit more. If you do the upgrade your able to buy leaf springs that are actually made for the new height lift / weight load that you want. So you don’t have to add in metal blocks or anything that bends the natural bend of what the stock leaf is supposed to sit at !
but you dont go into up travel. where as a block lift in the rear will inhibit up travel and shackles will help in that area ( if you have the shocks to accommodate )
I have 33" tires with leaf springs went with 4" lift and tried to use stock shocks However, the shackles were shoved up against the frame. I'm guessing not enough height in stock shocks.
Old video ... but maybe someone will respond. I have shackles with 2 points to choose a height. It seemed like a huge amount of force would be needed to get to the higher lift. Thoughts?
If I add a leaf it can probably increase the rear height by like 1 or 1.5 inch, but if I add lift shackles (2in lift) together with the add a leaf will the rear lift height add up together to like 3 or 4 inches?
Darrin Nelson it all depends on what your application is. If you want a 2” increase. Add a shackle. If you want better load stability add a leaf. I tow so adding a leaf or dropping in a beefed up leaf spring makes sense. A shackle can get you the immediate height increase if you are on a budget.
If you are only doing a 1-2” lift generally no. However if your suspension is old or over 100,000 on your odometer it is highly recommended and “while you are there” you might aswell upgrade and match your lift setup.
@@803Garage I just replaced the old factory rear shocks (220,00 mi) with KYB Monomax which are not extended shocks. I am thinking about replacing the old factory lead springs with heavy duty ones from General Spring whose manufacturer says would raise the rear wheel height for 1.5 to 2 inches. I want to do it properly (which means there might be a possibility of getting rid of the new Monomax rear shocks and install extended rear shocks of Rough Country), but getting rid of the new rear shocks seems like a waste
Yes. Just replace your U-bolts as these tend to be a one time use and I assume you wanna go taller. I don’t know what your original block is or if you are stacking. I definitely don’t recommend stacking blocks. So long as you maintained the right drive / axle angle 📐 everything should work like stock. If the angle is off by to much you’ll eat up your universal joints. If you have a multi peace drive shaft sometime you can add a spacer. Other times you’ll have to change the mounts to get that angle. Heck I have seen where people have changed their differential by flipping the pumpkin 🎃 but that’s a whole different circus 🎪 and I think 🤔 adding the blocks plus new U-bolts should be fine.
Yes. If you add a leaf you should also replace you U-Bolts. If they look good and have enough room for the hardware to properly fasten the. yes you can re-use them but i also love new hardware. It’s like cheap insurance. Plus i live in Canada. Everything rusts.
Michael Hughes you are not wrong. The suspension of any vehicle is designed by engineers. On e you change something you throw the design mechanics off. However that being said if you make changes or modifications that reflect each other well through kits that are also designed by engineers you can make the proper changes without risking your life or your vehicle. Which is why I always say to get it done by someone with skill/insurance/certified followed by an alignment so you don’t destroy your tires.
So question, I have a Toyota t100 2wd. The leaf springs are on bottom of the rear end. They sell lift blocks for my truck but all the ones I see are over the rear end not under like mine. So will the blocks still work with them under or no?
Joshua Shore I took a quick look at some photos online and the leaf springs are under the axle. When it comes to trailers that are setup like that I just flip everything. I can’t help but wonder if you are able to just flip them and get the lift you want but putting the leaf springs on top of the axle. I would replace the u-bolts with new if you choose this route. Looks like a simple fun mod and if you don’t like it just change it back. =]
803 Garage By Mr DoALL now would it just be just taking the lead springs off the frame and placing them on the top of the rear and and just filling everything, or is there other things that would need to be done then just sitting them on the top and bolting them down.
Using a shackle you will lose rigidity. It will be lose plus lift giving you more flex. A block with retain the suspension stability while raising your vehicle keeping it very similar to factory. In both cases your center of gravity raises adding to body roll. A block is better.
@@andrekopu adding leafs will stiffen your suspension and raise it by the amount of leafs added. If you have a 1500 you can usually get the 2500 version and bolt it right in. You can also add helper leafs to give your old suspension new life. Even air bags which are usually used for load stabilization.
@@803Garage thanks! Yes I want to stiffen my suspension with a 2 inch. I've temporarily put shackles in and was wondering if upgrading the leafs would put it back or increase the stiffness it was at stock, or was it going to make it loose like it is with the shackles. It's not overly noticeable currently with the shackles but I can feel it. Thanks for your vid and replies🙂
@@dr.danielkester9313 they sell parts for each just - lower and raise / lift - be careful because if you only do a lift or raise without and supporting mods like coils / shocks you could easily upset the suspension ability to handle bumps or pot holes and of course handling
The cheap way. I use spring spacers. So you can maintain your stock springs but I would recommend longer shocks. You could just machine an extension but usually they are already worn out like mine were completely. I may have a video…. If I can find it.
Hub centric are fine depending on the use. However lug centric are very dangerous and plan old spaces will kill you care or worse …..I have tried them. I would never use them on my vehicles unless you needed them in an emergency such as a broken rim and all you could use was a stock rim with a spacer only to move the vehicle. Just my random thoughts.
I'm talking about lift spacers... but definitely wouldn't listen to anyone who uses even hub spacers...... completely messes with geometry, towing, and handling. Oh and leverage can't forget that one.
@@austindenning3692 you are 100% correct. Perfection if an opinion ever had one. Some applications it works but they are soooo rare and everyone wants a cheap lift but forget how dangerous it can be. 🤦
Nothing wrong with quality spring spacers if you're just looking for a lift for tire clearance. For off-road, not the best. For mostly on the road, and 70 bucks, fuck it. Yes I have spacers.
Matthew GioVanni DiMeo stcloudtransit very true. My thoughts were. Let’s do a quick intro video and see everyone’s reaction. Also because I put leafs springs under the axle when I want to lower the vehicle or usually a trailer. Great comment. I hope to have time to make a video to discuss this. =]
