shackles - blocks = better ride?

[exbass94]

My truck came stock with lift blocks on the rear. I think they're about 2 inches. Do these affect the ride quality much? I would like to my truck's ride a little smoother. Yeah, yeah I know it's a truck not a luxury car. But there's no reason it can't work hard and still give good ride quality too.

I'm not interested in lifting it. I want to keep the stock ride height. If I simply remove the lift blocks and install longer shackles instead, will this improve the ride quality at all? (enough to be worth it?) Also, would it really be that simple, or would I have to make any other modifications?

 

[Captain Ledd]

I'm also interested in this, as I was pondering what to do for the rear of my 4wd swap.

I've heard it'll give a better ride, but I've never tried it or know anyone who has.

Modification wise I don't believe anything would need to be changed. Though I'm not sure the shackle would provide all 2" back, so it's kinda like a reverse leveling kit (I think only 1" gains from a 2" shackle). It should also help remove a small amount of axle wrap.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

When I was stock out back I hit a curb doing burnouts after takin the 35s off. Bent the leafs, shackles, hangers, wheel, axle shaft, and tweaked the housing. Pretty gnarley.

I swapped in an exploder 8.8" and ditched the blocks (same blocks OP mentioned) for some shackles.

The belltechs didn't make up for the two inch loss from the blocks, but really softened up the ride, helped with the axle wrap, and freed up tons of articulation.

If you have some fab skills you could extend some existing shackles or make a new set all together.

The knock off belltechs I have are 7.5" from mounting spot to mounting spot.

 

[koda6966]

my 4wd swap.

I demand an in depth write up!

 

[Captain Ledd]

I demand an in depth write up!

Oh there will be since I'm actually going ahead with the crossmember swap. Steadier work is hampering me and of course crap needs to stop breaking and draining my savings for it. It's crap I can't ignore either, like brakes and tie rod ends etc.

 

[krazykracker]

i swapped out the block for an extended shackle when i was stock it actually gave it a rougher ride im guessing b/c of the new poly urethane bushings vs the old rubber ones in the old shackle. it did have less axle wrap though. it also sat a bit lower w/ just the shackle & no block