I have a 1984 F-250 6.9 Diesel and i want to do a 2 inch lift by blocking underneath the leaf springs. Will this work without having to change the drivline, steering setup, and other stuff. Has anyone done something like this if so can you tell me how it went? I was looking and it looks like i might need to get longer u-bolts.

Thanks Adam

 

Using blocks on the front axle is illegal and not safe.
No sense killing yourself or someone else to save a few dollars.

You can get blocks for the rear axle.
You can get 4" blocks off of a F350 axle at a salvage yard, use new U bolts and remove the 2" blocks that are on your F250 axle.
I did this to mine, I bought the blocks new at Ford for around 35 dollars each several years ago.

It has been long enough that I can't remember if the U bolts are 9/16" or 5/8" on the rear axle.

 

So i can remove the 2 inchers on both axels and use the 4 inchers off from the F-350 on both axles or is that illegal?

I had no idea that was illegal so thanks for the advice

Thanks Adam

 

This is only a test post

 

I never knew lift blocks were illegal on a front axle. Is that a state-by-state thing, or are they illegal in all states?

I can certainly agree with the statement about the being unsafe though. Rather than do lift blocks on the front, I would suggest adding a leaf from a set of stock leaf packs to each side as a better way to lift the front end.....

 

OK the front only has two leafs on it and to me they look worn because it looks like they are horizontal or a little bent downwards. Should that be or has someone messed with it before? How many would it take to do about a 2 in lift at max or possible 1 inch?

 

The front springs are designed with a reverse arch (front and back ends lower than the middle) so that's normal.

I'd try adding 1 stock leaf per side and see what you get. The leaf is close to 1/2" thick, so you only need to get another inch and a half from the additional spring-action....

 

Is there a place i can get some or do i need to go to a junk yard. The springs are really long in the front too and 3 feet maybe. But i can not put a rear leaf spring in the front because of the reverse bend right?

 

when I built the truck in my sig I used 1 ton and 2 ton springs the main thing is correct width of spring and "I bolt " hole size on my 79 the front and back was different sizes... also find you a tractor trailer repair place the custom bent my u bolts to the size and shape I needed ... If they hold up under a semi then my 3/4 ton was no problem

 

You pu the 1 ton springs in the front and 2 ton ones in the back then?

What types of springs does mine have one them? 1984 F-250, 6.9l Diesel, C6, 4x4.

Thanks Adam

 

to be honest I can't remeber it been over 6 years since I built that truck... I think I put 2 tons in the front .... on our trucks (84 and such) they use two differernt sizes... some have 2.5 and 3 wide depending on ext cab or regular cab... you will just have to lay a tape measure across them and see... I will be adding spring to my 84 ext cab its getting a wrecker bed and push bumper so it will be getting beefed up...

 

Thats cool is there a place where you can buy the leaf springs or should i just get some from the junk yard?

 

I believe Tuff Country and Skyjacker have 2" lifts. Check em out here http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/fd4_f2_350.htm

 

I just went to a local junk yard and bought two whole spring packs for 20 bucks...make suremto check for cracks first before you buy..

 

No blocks on the front axle in several states around here, not sure if it is everywhere or not.
I do know if you go to a lot of serious off road sites, the no blocks on the front axle seems to be an everwhere thing.
I have also never heard anyone say that was a good idea or acceptable anywhere I have been, which is a lot of places.

Adding one leaf to the front springs will make the front spring about flat.
You may find the upper bushing in the front spring front hanger is worn out or missing.
Replacing that hanger (both sides) raised the front of my truck about 1.5".
New ones are in the mid 20 dollar range each at Ford.

Adding an extra leaf will also make the ride much harder hitting the bumps.
The front springs are special the way the leaves are tapered.
Also the length means you need to use front spring leaves.
I have 4 leaves on my front springs, the front drive shaft almost hits the transfer case skid plate, you need to check for clearance when you add leaves.
Yes it rides like a road wagon, but the snow plow don't even drop the front an inch when it is on the truck.
Also there will be some wedges between the spring and the axle, be careful of which one was where and which way they were turned.
The wedges set the pinion angle.

The 4" blocks go between the springs and axle on the back.
That block is one of the big differences between an F250 and an F350.

Last minute thoughts on this, if it were legal and safe to just add blocks between the axle and the springs, why are there so many companies building lift kits and charging such high prices for them?

Several of the lift kits I have seen run taller blocks on the rear axle.
But the front axle is much more complicated, even on the leaf spring trucks.

The front axle is all about geometery, mess the geometery up and you now have a death trap, in our case the death trap weighs almost 4 tons.