block lift ?
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
From: MS.
block lift ?
i have a 96 f250 4x4 i want to put a 3 or 4 inch lift on it.I would like to spend as little as possible.do they make a block lift for this truck? Do i have to do anything to the center bearing,shocks and brakes?
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
In the front, no. You need to get a good lift kit that lowers the axle beam pivots. It'll probably come with new springs as well.
You can lift the rear with blocks.
If you have an F-250HD (with full-floating rear axle) everything in the rear suspension is the same as an F-350 except the F-350 has a taller block between the axle and spring. I think it's 2" - 3". Going higher than that will give you a little more axle wrap, but I wouldn't think you'd get in too much trouble going only 1" - 2" higher than an F-350.
If you have the standard F-250 (with semi-floating rear axle) you probably have softer springs. That will give more axle wrap than the stiffer springs on an HD. I'd still think 3" would be OK, 4" might be pushing it (maybe others have more experience).
What do you mean by "center bearing"? Do you have a 2 piece rear driveshaft? If so there are two schools of thought. The theoretically "right" way to do it is to keep the center bearing where it is. That keeps the front U-joint near 0 deg and keeps the middle and rear U-joints equal and opposite so there's no vibration.
However with big lifts that doesn't work. Then you need to lower the center bearing and possibly rotate your pinion up (cut and reweld the spring perches). Sorry, I don't know which path would be best for you.
You can lift the rear with blocks.
If you have an F-250HD (with full-floating rear axle) everything in the rear suspension is the same as an F-350 except the F-350 has a taller block between the axle and spring. I think it's 2" - 3". Going higher than that will give you a little more axle wrap, but I wouldn't think you'd get in too much trouble going only 1" - 2" higher than an F-350.
If you have the standard F-250 (with semi-floating rear axle) you probably have softer springs. That will give more axle wrap than the stiffer springs on an HD. I'd still think 3" would be OK, 4" might be pushing it (maybe others have more experience).
What do you mean by "center bearing"? Do you have a 2 piece rear driveshaft? If so there are two schools of thought. The theoretically "right" way to do it is to keep the center bearing where it is. That keeps the front U-joint near 0 deg and keeps the middle and rear U-joints equal and opposite so there's no vibration.
However with big lifts that doesn't work. Then you need to lower the center bearing and possibly rotate your pinion up (cut and reweld the spring perches). Sorry, I don't know which path would be best for you.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 29
From: Bismarck, ND
Shouldn't have to do anything to the brakes, maybe just rebend the lines to each front brake where it goes from hard line to flex, to give it a little more play. You will need new shocks with more length. You may need to change your pinion angles, depending on what your angle is now. If there's a 4x4 shop near you, you can take it in there and have them look over your current angles.
And no block lifts on front axles. You could do rear block and front springs, but really, spring lift 3" kits just aren't that expensive, and you may as well start with fresh springs and bushings on both ends.
And no block lifts on front axles. You could do rear block and front springs, but really, spring lift 3" kits just aren't that expensive, and you may as well start with fresh springs and bushings on both ends.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 984
Likes: 8
You aren't going to easily lift that without a lift kit. The front will require drop brackets. Sound like you have a 2 piece rear shaft, make note when you purchase a lift kit so they send the correct blocks. Unless you have an engineering degree, have built suspensions before, or have the time to sit online for trial and error buy a complete kit. Another option would be look for a donor 350 and swap in a solid front axle. If you're going g to beat on it, that could be the best option.
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