quality lift blocks?

[thechier86]

hey guys, i have a 1990 grand wagoneer with rusty's 3.5-4" lift on it with some 32x11.50's on it, and i'm wantin a couple more inches. it looks like it will be cheaper and easier to get 2" blocks and shackles than a 2" body lift, but i can only find aluminum blocks. anybody know where to get steel ones? i was looking at the http://diy4x.com shackles, but they just tell ya how long they are. how long do i need to get them to go 2"?
also, what else do i need to worry about on this idea? will i have driveshaft issues? will it vibrate? i did a 4" lift on my xj, and it vibes like crazy, but my waggy still glides like a caddy at 4".... i wanna keep it that way, whether i get 2 more inches of lift or not.:thumbsup:

[BlackrockMotorSports]

The vibration you get is that just on take off speeds? Or all the time? if jsut on take off speeds you prob done have you rear angle set right.

To do it right it depends on what type of rear drve shaft you have. CV or non CV. If non CV set the angle to -1 to -2 degrees of what your t cases yoke is at. If you have a CV drive shaft point the axle straight up at it.

as for the lift blocks check on ebay im sure they have cast blocks on there

[380tom]

Not sure where you can get steel blocks but some guys make them out of steel block/stock. As for the shackles a 2" longer shackle will net you 1" lift. So you would need a 4" longer shackle to get 2" lift :eek: a little scary if you ask me.

[thechier86]

hmmm... thanks guys. yeah, on the xj, i'm still rockin the stock shaft with no sye or anything, and it really only vibes around 70-75 mph on the interstate. as for the tall shackle, maybe i don't wanna do that. what are your opinions on a 2" body lift? is that any worse/ better than tall shackles? i'm not too set on 2 more inches, but if it would be easy i'm down. not usually into body lifts, blocks or anything like that, but i'm just tryin to figure it out. i knew a lot of trucks came with blocks from the factory, and wondered if they would suck on a waggy as bad as they do on xj's.

so the short version is what do you guys think i should do? leave it alone, or work on gettin a little more lift? stuff rubs a little at full flex, when i turn the wheel. what's a cheap, easy way to get just a lil' more big on my jeep?

[380tom]

On my 68 Wagoneer I'm running a 1" lift shackle (2 inches longer than stock) up front due to the 4" hellcreek springs in the rear actually giving me 5" lift just to level it off. You might do that and a 1" block in the back that is gonna get you one extra inch not two but not as scary as a crazy 4" shackle and 2" block.
Alot of guys don't like/trust the body lifts. I don't think they are unsafe as much as I don't like the gap between the body and frame it makes.
I ran a 1" shackle and 1" block as well as a 1" body lift (just cut a 2" body lift in half) on my CJ5 and it looked and worked great. Just twice the work.

[thechier86]

cool. did you just put stock chevy shackles on the front? are aluminum blocks as crappy as they look? i just don't want that to be a dangerous weak point.... i already have an extra set of ubolts that will work.

[380tom]

I used these for shackles http://www.bjsoffroad.com/CartGenie/prod-470.htm had to mod. them just a little to fit in the stock hanger. Not sure if you would or not?
I don't know if I would trust the aluminum blocks or not? There are tons of steel lift blocks of every size and type on ebay The only ones I have ever run were on the CJ and they were steel. These FSJ's are pretty heavy. Maybe someone else here has run an aluminum block and can shed some light??

[thechier86]

cool man, thanks. i'm kinda gettin the inch-itis, because i wanna go to moab and be big enough to go where i want. i don't trust the xj to drive that far, since it has 285k on the clock.

[jeeping1974]

The GW has a longer drivetrain than the XJ does, hence why your XJ is vibrating and your GW is not. You should be able to get some cast iron lift blocks at a local parts store (at least you can around the northeast).

You would probably be better off going with a 2" body lift and then think about upgrading your suspension lift to a 6" later on.

[pineymike]

I've run aluminum blocks they never came out but one split.I now run factory ford 3" blocks(cast steel) dodge also had steel blocks on some years.Good luck have fun!

[thechier86]

thanks guys! i might go hit up pull-a-part and see if i can find some steel blocks on a ford or dodge, and some chevy shackles. i thought about going soa on it with the 3.5" springs someday, and puttin bigger tires on it but i wanna wait till i can afford to do it right. also, i don't think i wanna run 37's on my dana 44's. i think one inch from the chevy shackles and some 1" blocks will work pretty good, and at least keep the tires from rubbin. the body lift looks like a PITA to install, but i'll keep it in mind.

[thechier86]

thanks guys! i might go hit up pull-a-part and see if i can find some steel blocks on a ford or dodge, and some chevy shackles. i thought about going soa on it with the 3.5" springs someday, and puttin bigger tires on it but i wanna wait till i can afford to do it right. also, i don't think i wanna run 37's on my dana 44's. i think one inch from the chevy shackles and some 1" blocks will work pretty good, and at least keep the tires from rubbin. the body lift looks like a PITA to install, but i'll keep it in mind.

[HellCreek]

hey guys, i have a 1990 grand wagoneer with rusty's 3.5-4" lift on it with some 32x11.50's on it, and i'm wantin a couple more inches. it looks like it will be cheaper and easier to get 2" blocks and shackles than a 2" body lift, but i can only find aluminum blocks. anybody know where to get steel ones? i was looking at the http://diy4x.com shackles, but they just tell ya how long they are. how long do i need to get them to go 2"?
also, what else do i need to worry about on this idea? will i have driveshaft issues? will it vibrate? i did a 4" lift on my xj, and it vibes like crazy, but my waggy still glides like a caddy at 4".... i wanna keep it that way, whether i get 2 more inches of lift or not.:thumbsup:

The Rough Country blocks that we sell are cast steel. I didn't know that anyone made aluminum blocks - shims, yes, but not blocks.

-Tom

[thechier86]

i tried to get some at vato-zone, and they were aluminum. how much are the rough country ones? i live in tn, so i could just go to dyersburg and pick some up...

[grand_wag_85]

Find a pair of cast iron ones from a F*rd truck. They are cheap, readily(SP?) available and have bump stops.

[HellCreek]

i tried to get some at vato-zone, and they were aluminum. how much are the rough country ones? i live in tn, so i could just go to dyersburg and pick some up...

Since you would be picking them up in Dyersburg, you could order them direct from Rough Country. Their phone number is (800) 222-7023. Anyone on the sales desk can take your order.

-Tom

[Gambler68]

The Rough Country blocks that we sell are cast steel. I didn't know that anyone made aluminum blocks - shims, yes, but not blocks.

-Tom

They're supposed to used as lowering blocks, but sadly are labeled as Lift/Drop blocks.

[bushwood44]

I had 2in blocks on mine from pep boys when I decided to get rid of them the pin in the middle was worn about half way through.

[thechier86]

were those aluminum?

[Heckofadeal]

I ordered a set of lift blocks from rusty's for mine. They're cast.

http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RK-BK2-UV&Category_Code=LEAFACC

[jaber]

I put 2" aluminum blocks in the rear of my GW to compensate for the "wag-sag". They worked great for hwy use. I was able to get 31's under it with out rubbing. They were still in great shape @ 60K when I swapped engine and rear axle into the '88. Roughly about 7 years.
Just would not use them on a trail rig. Too many side forces at work there...

[flatbackdragon]

go to any spring shop, they should have anything you could want.
there is a place here in Grand Junction called "The Spring Works" that will sell the lift blocks, make whatever u bolts size, length etc U bolts you would need, etc.
There has got to be such a shop in your size city.

[rebeljeep]

Couldnt tell from post, you have four lift leaf springs right? Regardless I would recommend body lift so it wouldn't mess with what you got goin with ride and give a even lift of 2" rather than 2" in the back and 1" in the front. Just my .02 lol : D

[thechier86]

thanks guys! i do have the rusty's 3.5-4" lifted leafs all around, and longer stainless brake lines. i will be wheeling this jeep a little, but truly i will be mild with this one, since they're gettin rare in tennessee. i'm thinkin a body lift will be a ton of work for me, and i don't have any friends around that i would really trust to help me with it without screwin something up.
can i hear some more opinions on body lifts, blocks, and shackles? i looked at how short my stock shackles are, and i'm pretty sure they are inhibiting my flex, and some beefy longer ones would help with that.
i'd love to hear from some guys who actually wheel/daily drive with longer shackles, blocks, and/or body lifts!
keep the info flowin!!!:drivin: