Losing My Lift Blocks!

[Ben824]

Ok to say it once again the ONLY way to solve your problem (which is called axle wrap) is to get rid of the blocks or add traction bars. Since getting rid of the blocks is the least costly way lets say you will go that route. The easiest bolt on way to get this right is to swap the leaf springs for the appropriate height lift springs. Keep in mind your lift is old and has settled in and will have some sort of sagging of an undetermined amount. If you replace the rear springs you could end up having the rear sit higher than the front. If you get springs that are pretty closely matched to the front then once the rear has had time to settle in a bit they should even out. But expect it to sit a little high in the beginning.

To figure out your lift height since you are the second hand owner of the lift you will need let us know things like what size tire are you running? Are the fenders cut? If you have an after market flare like a bushwacker flare then this would mean the fenders are cut. Post a picture of the Jeep in its current state and we may be able to help you guess at the lift height.

The other option you have is to remove the blocks entirely. Then add HD Offroad's shackle relocation brackets which will give you up to a 1.5" lift. Then add shackles that will give you about half an inch more of lift and you will have that same lift height. I believe Comanche MJ shackles give around 3/4" inch of lift if I am not mistaken.

 

[bedheadben]

Ok to say it once again the ONLY way to solve your problem (which is called axle wrap) is to get rid of the blocks or add traction bars. Since getting rid of the blocks is the least costly way lets say you will go that route. The easiest bolt on way to get this right is to swap the leaf springs for the appropriate height lift springs. Keep in mind your lift is old and has settled in and will have some sort of sagging of an undetermined amount. If you replace the rear springs you could end up having the rear sit higher than the front. If you get springs that are pretty closely matched to the front then once the rear has had time to settle in a bit they should even out. But expect it to sit a little high in the beginning.

To figure out your lift height since you are the second hand owner of the lift you will need let us know things like what size tire are you running? Are the fenders cut? If you have an after market flare like a bushwacker flare then this would mean the fenders are cut. Post a picture of the Jeep in its current state and we may be able to help you guess at the lift height.

The other option you have is to remove the blocks entirely. Then add HD Offroad's shackle relocation brackets which will give you up to a 1.5" lift. Then add shackles that will give you about half an inch more of lift and you will have that same lift height. I believe Comanche MJ shackles give around 3/4" inch of lift if I am not mistaken.

My problem is NOT axle wrap. It was that my lift blocks had broken and one of them didn't even have a locating stud and they were just slipping around under the springs. I will be removing the blocks entirely. I still have a lot to learn about shackles and relocation brackets for them.

Will I be fine running my stock shackles with a 4" leaf spring lift? I just measured my height using the dirty method and I'm 3.5" higher than stock, so I'm assuming that was 4" at one point but has sagged because of all the abuse those poor leaf packs have been through.

 

[whitexj98]

My first lift consisted of 2 inch blocks in the rear (young and dumb) , they did the same thing cracked on me. I caught it before any thing bad happened.

 

[kcjeep6]

Explain to me how my former "real" lift blocks were better. I welded studs on the buttom just like the other blocks had. These are definitely way stronger than the previous ones.

When you welded the studs to the tube did you make sure that the surface was flat? If you do not have a flat surface it will rock on the high spots! Did you cap the ends to the tube ends? I you did not cap the tube it will collapse! This will cause the U-bolts to come loose and the axle to rock.

 

[bedheadben]

Yes the surface is flat but no I haven't capped the ends. Great idea, thanks!

 

[DanMan2k06]

How thick is the tubing? It looks pretty thin in the picture maybe 1/8". Definitely cap the ends.

I guess I know which forum not to visit until I'm at least 5k into my Jeep.

5k? You're talking about leaf springs like they're gold or something. At my local yard they're $15 a spring. Take out the main leaf, cut off the eyes, mate to your pack and you're done. You're out of pocket $30 (maybe a couple bucks more for some hardware) and have a whole lot more peace of mind. To each their own though, I understand not everyone has time or resources available...

 

[FunkRider]

Blocks are scary... what's more scary are those huge brotard trucks with 6 inch lifts that consist of 6 inch blocks.

 

[cdawall]

I guess I know which forum not to visit until I'm at least 5k into my Jeep. :laugh2:

I am under $2500 into my jeep including wheels, tires, lift and the price of the jeep which was purchased bone stock with a blown rad. Yet somehow I managed to life it without using blocks. Trust me I thought about it since I have 2 sets of stock cast steel blocks from Rangers (2" and 2.5" ones.) The really nice ones with built in extended bumpstops. Yet for some reason maybe the advice from every jeeper I have met I DIDN'T PUT BLOCKS IN, but then again I spent $45 on a set of junkyard pickup leafs and $12 on centering pins. It was really expensive. :banghead:

 

[Super mud]

Blocks are scary... what's more scary are those huge brotard trucks with 6 inch lifts that consist of 6 inch blocks.

Or two 3 inch blocks stacked.