[MudShack]

I am sold on the 44044's up front and am pretty much sold on the 63" chevy's in the rear. I keep having a debate with a friend over block or aal.

I hate blocks. But from all the posts that I pulled up in the search, it sounds like the chevy's combined with a block do not cause axel wrap. Why is this. I am trying to stay away from the AAL option, because I have done that in the past and it really STIFFENS up the ride.

Here in PA we are only allowed 2" lift shackles (4" longer than stock). So lift shackles and block look like the way to go, IF and only IF the block doesn't cause axel wrap. I will not play with axel wrap.

So, those of you running the blocks...what is your experience?

Those of you running the AAL, just how stiff is it?

 

[Benny]

Lift blocks DO help create axle wrap.

Many of the guys around here are running a traction bar. A traction Bar will eliminate axle wrap and will not limit articulation (with proper setup)

Do a search for "sams offroad" on the internet and you will find a design that works great.

 

[Garza]

Id go with the Pro-comp long add-a-leaf. Then a small block if neccessary to get your desired lift. The procomp AAL's are not that stiff at all. They mix in with the pack vs the Ranchos which replace a leaf and is a lot stiffer. I believe most take the chevy overload (of a 4leaf pack, overload being the 4th spring) and cut it off just behind the perch and then leave about 8" toward the front of the spring. This way it is acting as a small lift block and the left over part helps get rid of wrap. JMO! Definetly do a search too <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

 

[BigBadBob]

I'm running the chevy rears with a 2.5" block. I had my brother drive the truck while I watched him try to wrap up the axle and that the pinion barely moved at all. I'm not very fond of blocks either and I plan to get the AAL and ditch the block.

I have a 99 tacoma with a v6 and an auto tranny.

 

[MudShack]

Originally posted by Ricktard:
<STRONG>Id go with the Pro-comp long add-a-leaf. Then a small block if neccessary to get your desired lift. The procomp AAL's are not that stiff at all. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

If I don't get a lot of feedback on the block issue, I believe this is what I will do, but with the 2" lift shackles instead of the block.

But the idea of cutting the overload and using it as a psuedo traction bar is not a bad idea. I did read that in one of the many posts dug up in my searching, but I forgot about it. Thanks!

 

[TNToy]

Originally posted by BigBadBob:
<STRONG>I'm running the chevy rears {snip}</STRONG>

<font color="yellow">Bob,

I thought you had AllPro's front and rear. What are you running in this picture? If those are chevy's back there, they don't seem to flex much (the front does most of the work here):

</font>

 

[BigBadBob]

Allpro fronts, chevy rears. I have a 4" drop hangar and a 6" shackle combined with the 2.5" block to give about 10" lift over a sagging stock tacoma.

The problem with the chevys not flexing is me being too much of a wimp to pull the overload completely. In that picture I put my tacoma overload in because it is negative arch. I plan to take the cutting wheel out, possibly this weekend and hack off the back of the overload as well as the better part of the front. After still having no axle wrap problems it's time to cut those suckers.

The Beeb told me I need more weight out back to really flex it out. In that picture I have a fullsize spare, my old diff and crossmember, 60" hilift, spare nuts and bolts, a small toolbox (40lb), and my old tacoma leaves. I guess I need a jacuzzi full of girls to weigh it down! <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0">

 

[yarddog]

I'm running them with a 2" block and the full over load leaf.

Not a HINT of rap.

Even with the overload I get major flex. The upper shackle drops about 3" off the frame, while the other side is flat which puts the plate against the bump stop. At least with my setup I see no need to modify the over load.

 

[pmurf1]

4" blocks on mine. I don't suffer any wrap either. Just be sure to locktite red the ubolt nuts and check them frequently and you'll be fine.

 

[GRABBER]

3" block on mine, no wrap. <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0">

 

[ErikB]

Blocks and add a leaves on mine.

These springs are so long and soft that an add a leaf doesn't stiffen it up noticably at all. I've got the 3 leaf pack and I added the Rancho leaf for 4 leaves (you're supposed to remove the middle leaf) and can still easily compress them past the bumpstops.

I think the reason these things don't wrap much is because the individual leaves are so thick compared to most springs.