Suspension Tech General discussion of suspension for the Ford Ranger.

Removing Stock Blocks.

Old Apr 30, 2008
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Rooks's Avatar
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Removing Stock Blocks.

Ok. So this past weekend when I was putting the Duff Traction Bars on the 07 I saw it had 1" blocks in the rear. I started thinking about what it would take to remove those to get a nice level looking DD.

Anything extra that needs to be done to remove those? Is it as simple as just getting shorter U-Bolts, unbolt, remove block and put new U-Bolts in? Also is that going to negatively affect anything?

Will this work with the stock shocks and pinion angle? Obviously your shocks would be sitting at a different stationary position, but I wouldn't think a 1" change would be enough to have to get new ones.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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you may not even need new Ubolts.

its only and inch, really shouldn't hurt a thing
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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That's kind of what I was thinking but I just thought I'd run it by you guys to verify my opinion.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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wouldnt removing your blocks eliminate the need for the traction bars?
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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Originally Posted by kevinsranger
wouldnt removing your blocks eliminate the need for the traction bars?
It would decrease the need; even setups with no blocks have axle wrap.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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How about your bumpstop? The block provides the "arm" that contacts the bumpstop. Probably be best to put on an extended bumpstop if you do this.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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That shouldn't matter John. The axle tube will act as the arm now. That is how my BII is setup.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
That shouldn't matter John. The axle tube will act as the arm now. That is how my BII is setup.
it would to an extent because it could slam on the shocks now. bind the shocks and destroy them.

but i dont run any bump stops and have not for a long long time.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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2 inch blocks came stock on mine and I've been thinking about taking them out. Just don't want any negative effects on it. I like my back to sit lower then the front to give it the prerunner look.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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Originally Posted by zabeard
it would to an extent because it could slam on the shocks now. bind the shocks and destroy them.

but i dont run any bump stops and have not for a long long time.
That is true, but he should install the proper length shocks for that lift.


Originally Posted by Prerunner-Ranger
2 inch blocks came stock on mine and I've been thinking about taking them out. Just don't want any negative effects on it. I like my back to sit lower then the front to give it the prerunner look.
Why not, you already have the pre-runner fenders
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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Well, if you ever get more extreme, you're probably going to regret not having bump stops.

Also, if you wait for the axle to hit the stock bump stop, you bigger tires will be WAY up there killing something else, lol. It's not just to stop the axle tube -- it's to stop all damaging up travel.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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if he has a 1" block, would it even have the bump stop ear on it?

the shocks and pinion angle will be fine, i ran 4wd shocks at 2wd height for a few months and i never had any problems.
i don't see it effecting anything other then making it 1" lower in the rear.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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Okay, I warned you. If you don't measure and test, then it's on you. You're getting advice that says you don't have to worry about it -- but have you measured it?

If not, and you don't intend to -- then you probably didn't need to ask the question, lol.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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he said its a 1" block john, i don't see him having any problems with it if he removes it.

i could see if it was a 2" block, but like i was saying, i ran 4wd length shocks on my truck without any blocks and it was fine.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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Shocks acting as a bumpstop are bad be it 1" or 10". Bottom out hard once and that could be it, shocks or mounts will take the hit.
What I think is cool, is the things Daystar makes that go on the shocks themselves. Not sure if they are intended to replace or simply augment bumpstops though. I'll wait for someone else to "test" them.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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I am testing them. They are my front bumpstops. They work great.

However, my shock mounts on the frame are heavily welded, and are 1/4" material.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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Originally Posted by n3elz
I am testing them. They are my front bumpstops. They work great.

However, my shock mounts on the frame are heavily welded, and are 1/4" material.
HA, if they survive you I'll trust them on anything!
Have you had any good hits with them? How was install? Good thing your mounts are sturdy,t hat tells if the shocks get hurt.....I'd worry most about them, you can always beef up mounts.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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Originally Posted by 5speedin2.3
he said its a 1" block john, i don't see him having any problems with it if he removes it.

i could see if it was a 2" block, but like i was saying, i ran 4wd length shocks on my truck without any blocks and it was fine.
So let's see if I get this: you haven't broken anything yet, you haven't measured to see what full thrash would do, and so it's okay.

Not very good advice my friend, sorry. He should check it out BY THE NUMBERS and do what needs to be done to prevent damage.

Anything else is pissing in the wind, lol.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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i had the rear of my truck fully flexed before i did the SAS and the shocks were still ok.
i also had the bed full of crap sitting on the helper leaf and had no problems.

now i have a 2" block and an AAL with the same shocks.

keep in mind he said the truck is his DD not his trail truck.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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The real way to do this is remove springs and test your uptravel. Add bumpstops to stop whatever hits first before it breaks! Shocks are not the only thing, if a driveshaft stops uptravel it can be BIG trouble.....like a trashed tcase or trans! Too many people ovelook this simple but important process.....
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008
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Originally Posted by buckgnarly
The real way to do this is remove springs and test your uptravel. Add bumpstops to stop whatever hits first before it breaks! Shocks are not the only thing, if a driveshaft stops uptravel it can be BIG trouble.....like a trashed tcase or trans! Too many people ovelook this simple but important process.....
again, i don't see a 1" block having that effect.

i do understand the point you guys are trying to prove.
 
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