I have managed to crack a couple of leafs in the rear springs of my 78 Bronco. It lives about half its life on pavement and half offroad ...... nothing crazy, just going hunting form spot to spot and a fair amount of use in the winter .... busting snow for coyotes. I have a 6" skyjacker lift on the truck and the rear springs look like stock with lift blocks. My question is now that I have to put some money into the rear suspension should I just replace the broken leafs or pony up for a new set of springs and ditch the blocks? What are the advantages of leafs without the blocks. How will new spring affect the handling on and off road?

Thanks for the input.

 

Definetily get some new springs. You wont have as much axle wrap when you get rid of the blocks. It may have a bit harsher ride but I think you will be happy with the outcome.

 

> What are the advantages of leafs without the blocks.

Less or no axle wrap when hitting the gas, which probably led to the springs breaking. Less roll in corners and less bottoming out on hard bounces off-road. The only drawbacks extra cost and maybe a stiffer ride.

The advantage of blocks are they are cheap, do not require the OEM to modify much, and offer a softer ride.

If it was my Bronco I would be hitting the junkyards for used spring packs.

If you are going new and plan on keeping it, then get military wrap springs and try to get them progressive rate with as many leafs (9-11) as possible.

 

umm, thats not exactly accurate! the rear springs on a stock truck are usually softer than lift springs! i mean they inheritantly have to be stiffer to keep the added arc!

with that being said, i would do a shackle flip first. this will get you close to 3" you should be able to lose the block. then go out and find a set of stocker rear springs. if i remember right the 78/79 broncos use 2.5" wide packs so it might be a challenge to find another set in a j-yard

-cutts

 

Actually fishy any 67-79 1/2 ton and 67-77 3/4 ton had a 2.5'' wide rear leaves. I bet if he found a highboy with rear leaves he would be set.

 

well I've never seen a ford 1/2 ton w/ anything other than 3" leafs.......or 3/4 or 1 ton actually....Chevy likes to use them 2 1/2" leafs tho

 

alright, I just went out an measured them, jsut to make sure, and all the pre 97' Fords in my yard have 3".....the 81 3/4 ton, the 78' Bronco, and 86 3/4 ton......the 3/4 ton have 3" front and rear.....I would assume that any truck from 67 to 97 have 3"er's

 

You are right on the 78/79 having 3" rear springs. Bad typo on my part. My 70 highboy has 2.5'' rear springs.