Lift blocks
From : billygoat
Q: the rear of my 2000 ram van 3500 camper roadtrek 190p is lower than i prefer. i am considering installing lift blocks between the springs and the axle. i have seen them on ram 4x4 and they look pretty simple. is it just a simple matter of lifting the van using the frame and loosing the u-bolt nuts enough to insert the spacer blocks is there anything i should be aware of that may screw up will i have a problem with the springs or axle moving where is a good point to lift i was considering the rear spring mount is lifting it one inch noticeable or should i go for two if i use one inch i may be able to use the existing u-bolts. if i have to replace the u bolts does that make the job much more difficultallowing things to move around more does anyone know where i can find iron/steel blocks i have only been able to find aluminum so far. does anyone think that aluminum is ok im not sure. thanks for any response/comments bill -- .
Replies:
From : billygoat
thanks for all the info. bill -- axle. i have seen them on ram 4x4 and they look pretty simple. is it just a simple matter of lifting the van using the frame and loosing the u-bolt nuts enough to insert the spacer blocks yes but youll most likely need new u-bolts as the current ones probably arent long enough to accomodate the blocks. buy these when you buy the blocks. theyre probably 3 wide square u-bolts but double-check to be sure. measure the length of the current ones add the height of the blocks and another 1/2 to be safe. this is the length of the new u-bolts that youll need. is there anything i should be aware of that may screw up will i have a problem with the springs or axle moving not if you do one side at a time. where is a good point to lift i was considering the rear spring mount lift the van from the axle like you normally do. go up as high as you can then put a set of jack stands probably 6-ton stands not for the capacity but for the height under the frame rails. remove the tires then lower the van onto the jackstands. you want at least 4 between the bottom of the hub and the ground so you have room to work. put the jack under the axle of the side youre working on and raise it until it just supports the weight of the axle but isnt compressing the spring any. remove the u-bolts then slowly lower the axle down to be able to slip the block in-between the axle and the spring. now jack the axle up until theres a bit of tension on it. make sure everything is square then install and torque the new u-bolts. repeat this for the other side and youre all set. is lifting it one inch noticeable or should i go for two take a jack and a tape measure. raise the truck up an inch and see if its noticeable. i doubt it would be. bolts does that make the job much more difficult nope - actually it probably makes it easier since you dont have to worry about fouling up the old u-bolts when removing them. if theyre rusted too badly you can always cut them off. does anyone know where i can find iron/steel blocks when i installed a set of blocks on a friends ram we went over to the local 4x4 place and bought a set of trailmaster blocks. they were iron they welded like iron put it that way . yes stay away from aluminum. .
From : billygoat
if i understand what you are saying there is a pin on the spring that goes into a hole on the axle. i did not know this. this somewhat answers my concern about the spring/axle movement from square but what if the blocks i use can find do not have this pin how big/long is this pin thanks bill -- for the blocks ive seen aftermarket 4x4 lift stuff have all been iron/steel. not aluminum. i have a pair of 6 blocks not in use anymore they do cause axle wrap they are easy to install new u-bolts are a couple dollars a piece they have pinion rotation engineered into the block. the stock spring pin is still used to locate the diff and the block has its own pin that sits in the original hole on the diff and a hole on top to accept the spring pack. the rear of my 2000 ram van 3500 camper roadtrek 190p is lower than i prefer. i am considering installing lift blocks between the springs and the axle. i have seen them on ram 4x4 and they look pretty simple. is it just a simple matter of lifting the van using the frame and loosing the u-bolt nuts enough to insert the spacer blocks is there anything i should be aware of that may screw up will i have a problem with the springs or axle moving where is a good point to lift i was considering the rear spring mount is lifting it one inch noticeable or should i go for two if i use one inch i may be able to use the existing u-bolts. if i have to replace the u bolts does that make the job much more difficultallowing things to move around more does anyone know where i can find iron/steel blocks i have only been able to find aluminum so far. does anyone think that aluminum is ok im not sure. thanks for any response/comments bill -- .
From : tom lawrence
i use can find do not have this pin how big/long is this pin they all have a pin in them because all axles have a hole to accept the pin and all leaf spring packs have a center pin to fit into this locating hole. its about 1/2-5/8 diameter and about 3/8-1/2 long. think about it - without a locating pin the only thing holding the axle in place against side loads would be the clamping force of the u-bolts. this would not be enough and would not be safe. .
From : demon
billy this is a couple quick pics of one of my retired 6 blocks. the pin in your spring pack can be removed and replaced. the wedge design rotates your pinion upward to compensate drive line angle. blocks are a dirt cheap way to lift the rear there are much better ways but cost more $$$. http//members.shaw.ca/luke76/photos/liftblock-1.jpg http//members.shaw.ca/luke76/photos/liftblock-2.jpg http//members.shaw.ca/luke76/photos/liftblock-3.jpg i use can find do not have this pin how big/long is this pin they all have a pin in them because all axles have a hole to accept the pin and all leaf spring packs have a center pin to fit into this locating hole. its about 1/2-5/8 diameter and about 3/8-1/2 long. think about it - without a locating pin the only thing holding the axle in place against side loads would be the clamping force of the u-bolts. this would not be enough and would not be safe. .
From : demon
......... oh and like tom said it has to have a pin locator every leaf spring pack does. if the blocks you find do not have a pin & hole you do not use them. simple as that. .
From : billygoat
tom and demon thanks. never having seen the spring off the axle i was not aware that there was a pin. makes sense too. a picture is worth a thousand words!! now if someone has a web address for the blocksfor a 2k ram van 3500 pleas post it. like i said i have only been able to find aluminum ones. bill -- billy this is a couple quick pics of one of my retired 6 blocks. the pin in your spring pack can be removed and replaced. the wedge design rotates your pinion upward to compensate drive line angle. blocks are a dirt cheap way to lift the rear there are much better ways but cost more $$$. http//members.shaw.ca/luke76/photos/liftblock-1.jpg http//members.shaw.ca/luke76/photos/liftblock-2.jpg http//members.shaw.ca/luke76/photos/liftblock-3.jpg i use can find do not have this pin how big/long is this pin they all have a pin in them because all axles have a hole to accept the pin and all leaf spring packs have a center pin to fit into this locating hole. its about 1/2-5/8 diameter and about 3/8-1/2 long. think about it - without a locating pin the only thing holding the axle in place against side loads would be the clamping force of the u-bolts. this would not be enough and would not be safe. .
From : r m
mine just sheared off and the axle slid back 4 inches. it was a fun ride home with the ass of the truck wanting to pass me. by the way it is a 3/8 pin on the 1500 4x4. i use can find do not have this pin how big/long is this pin they all have a pin in them because all axles have a hole to accept the pin and all leaf spring packs have a center pin to fit into this locating hole. its about 1/2-5/8 diameter and about 3/8-1/2 long. think about it - without a locating pin the only thing holding the axle in place against side loads would be the clamping force of the u-bolts. this would not be enough and would not be safe. .
From : gary carter
most lift blocks are aluminum try to stay away from them like the plague! you will lose stability with them an on loose surface like gravel and dirt if the rear tires spin you can get axle wrap which is hard on everything. the factory uses the because they are cheap. spend a few dollars more and get a set of add-a-leaf springs. they are not much more difficult to install and will be a whole lot more stabile. they are available in 1-3 lifts. lift from the frame itself not a suspension mounting point. gary carter the rear of my 2000 ram van 3500 camper roadtrek 190p is lower than i prefer. i am considering installing lift blocks between the springs and the axle. i have seen them on ram 4x4 and they look pretty simple. is it just a simple matter of lifting the van using the frame and loosing the u-bolt nuts enough to insert the spacer blocks is there anything i should be aware of that may screw up will i have a problem with the springs or axle moving where is a good point to lift i was considering the rear spring mount is lifting it one inch noticeable or should i go for two if i use one inch i may be able to use the existing u-bolts. if i have to replace the u bolts does that make the job much more difficultallowing things to move around more does anyone know where i can find iron/steel blocks i have only been able to find aluminum so far. does anyone think that aluminum is ok im not sure. thanks for any response/comments bill -- .
From : billygoat
i should have said in the original post that i dont want a stiffer ride thats why i dont want to use helper springs. thanks for responses so far hoping for responses to address my questions. thanks bill -- the rear of my 2000 ram van 3500 camper roadtrek 190p is lower than i prefer. i am considering installing lift blocks between the springs and the axle. i have seen them on ram 4x4 and they look pretty simple. is it just a simple matter of lifting the van using the frame and loosing the u-bolt nuts enough to insert the spacer blocks is there anything i should be aware of that may screw up will i have a problem with the springs or axle moving where is a good point to lift i was considering the rear spring mount is lifting it one inch noticeable or should i go for two if i use one inch i may be able to use the existing u-bolts. if i have to replace the u bolts does that make the job much more difficultallowing things to move around more does anyone know where i can find iron/steel blocks i have only been able to find aluminum so far. does anyone think that aluminum is ok im not sure. thanks for any response/comments bill -- .
From : tom lawrence
to say that he respects kerrys service and yet refuses to renounce adds that belittle that service makes the president look like a two faced liar that wants others to do his dirty work. is that enough of a connection for you well he has called for an end to all such ads that depend on what you are talking about at first bush wanted all soft money adds stopped. i guess that makes sense since the left wing is generating 3 times the money the right wing is this time. funny how during the last election when the lions share was going to him he had no problem with it. will your boy kerry do the same kerry started almost a week ago and challenged bush to do the same. bush initially refused and tried to spin it into an end for all soft money adds as mentioned above. kerry called him to the carpet on that one during a conference and now like magic... -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving .
From : carl saiyed
i had the same problem on my 1980 ramcharger. i opted to install a rancho add-a-leaf kit. it helps immensely with lifting the rear and the front a little too however it stiffened the ride considerably. i havent been able to get u-bolts off and be able to re-use them usually very rusty so i always buy new ones they are pretty cheap. the add-a-leaf kit ran me about $80 i dont remember the cost of the u-bolts. where are you finding just lift blocks for sale hth carl the rear of my 2000 ram van 3500 camper roadtrek 190p is lower than i prefer. i am considering installing lift blocks between the springs and the axle. i have seen them on ram 4x4 and they look pretty simple. is it just a simple matter of lifting the van using the frame and loosing the u-bolt nuts enough to insert the spacer blocks is there anything i should be aware of that may screw up will i have a problem with the springs or axle moving where is a good point to lift i was considering the rear spring mount is lifting it one inch noticeable or should i go for two if i use one inch i may be able to use the existing u-bolts. if i have to replace the u bolts does that make the job much more difficultallowing things to move around more does anyone know where i can find iron/steel blocks i have only been able to find aluminum so far. does anyone think that aluminum is ok im not sure. thanks for any response/comments bill -- .
From : tbonedemon
grumman-581 wrote jon moser wrote ... check it out at spam-url-snipped fuckin pyramid marketing scheme... sounds like amway... if it was worth a fuck theyd make it for aircraft... i suspect that their liability insurance would shudder at the thought of that... oh i forgot its basically just alcohol... cant have alcohol in my aircrafts fuel system... save yourself some money and go up to wal-mart and buy a bottle of rubbing alcohol and pour in your tank... cant that customer crap is 30% water. if i want that i can just go to mexico and fill up there. .
From : sean prinz
have you considered an air ride style of helper they are adjustable so you can get the lift and hopefully not the stiffness sean the rear of my 2000 ram van 3500 camper roadtrek 190p is lower than i prefer. i am considering installing lift blocks between the springs and the axle. i have seen them on ram 4x4 and they look pretty simple. is it just a simple matter of lifting the van using the frame and loosing the u-bolt nuts enough to insert the spacer blocks is there anything i should be aware of that may screw up will i have a problem with the springs or axle moving where is a good point to lift i was considering the rear spring mount is lifting it one inch noticeable or should i go for two if i use one inch i may be able to use the existing u-bolts. if i have to replace the u bolts does that make the job much more difficultallowing things to move around more does anyone know where i can find iron/steel blocks i have only been able to find aluminum so far. does anyone think that aluminum is ok im not sure. thanks for any response/comments bill -- .