I'm sure this is one of the debates that will probably rage on for years, but I'm in the need for some knowlegde. Ok... so I'm getting sick of busting up my molded mud flaps every time I go anywhere off the pavement. So I started thinking... how can I get a little more lift cheap. Well you never touched the t-bars... why not crank them up a little bit? Sure that will be fine and dandy up front... but how can I get an inch or 2 out back?

So I knew about Add-a-leafs. Sounds like a pretty good option. Can get a nice Superlift Long set for 75 bucks from Summit. Not a bad deal. What about blocks? Ok. I can get a 1 1/2" block for 60 bucks. I know a little less about these. I'm pretty sure my Ranger doesn't have any on it right now. The leafs are bolted right to the axle. So if I were to get this 1 1/2" block from Superlift instead of the AAL, does it just bolt underneath the leafs?

Also which is gonna ride better (probably won't matter much as Ride Quality I'm too picky about). For the money I'm looking at, I'm thinking the Add-a-leaf is looking like the better option right now.

I don't know. Give me some opinions guys! And remember.... fight nice!

 

do a shackle. should be cheaper than both the others. is yours 2wd or 4?

 

They all get the job done. Stacked blocks are bad unless you weld them, and tall blocks cry out for traction bars!

I went with custom blocks because I the ride of add-a-leafs. I also put on traction bars AND a shackle, lol.

 

How much you trying to lift the rear end?
I would go with either a chevy drop shackle, or an AAL. blocks are crap.

 

I have blocks and a aal so i dunno but i would choose shackles.

 

its been said but to reiterate...
stacked blocks=danger
blocks=axle wrap
go shackles

 

i say shackels or AAL... cheaper, easier and safer

 

Ok. Works for me. I'm just trying to get 1 to 2". Nothing huge. I just want to get a little more clearance on the 33"s. I'll take a look at what I can get for shackles and let you guys know. Thanks.

 

personally............aal.............depends on the person though. i would be using my truck for work so i would use the aal

 

BRINGING BACK AN OLD TOPIC WOOHOOOOOOO


is there a ride quality difference in short AAL and long AAL?

 

AAL's just create a stiffer ride in the back, not something that a pickup truck needs any help with. Get Chevy drop shackels as it will increase your flex and they have different settings on the shackel so if you wanted to only go 1.5" or 1" instead of 2" because it was to much you can do that. Blocks will cause axle wrap.

 

yesss but what if I already have chevy shackles?

 

go with an add-a-leaf than.....maybe a 3 inch block replacing the stock 2.5 if you have to

 

alright, but my truck is an XLT and does not have a stock block.. so i'd either go with a 2 inch block or an AAL

if i went with an AAL, should I get a long or short one?

 

it doesnt have one????? hmmm my 99 had a stock block i thought it was an all 4wd ranger thing.....idk the differences between the long and short, ive used a short, i think a long one causes less stress on your leaf pack....

 

OH OH.. that's it. mine is 2wd
so i think you're correct, all 4wd's do have blocks

 

short one will ride a little bit more stiff as it has a higher tension rate. the longer one has more area so its going to be softer.

 

would getting the longer AAL be better than getting a 2" block?

basically, im looking for a somewhat soft ride without axle wrap..

 

My ride didn't get any stiffer w/ the short AAL, but I would go with the long AAL if I had it to do over.

 

sweet. is the Skyjacker Softride Long AAL a good choice>

 

yea, the skyjacker should work fine. the bigger the block you run, the more wrap youll get. stay away from them and you should be ok.

 

sweet, thanks!

 

where is the best place to get the long add-a-leaf from???

 

i have the short AAL and i still get axle hop around the corners with small bumps, so i think ill be ordering the shackles and traction bars together!

 

Humm.. great info for me.. In case im not satisfied with my shackle