That doesn't sound too bad. Except it seems a waste to me to buy new U bolts when I may just replace them. I'll see how bad they are when I pull them. If they are junk then I'll just head down and pick some up. That of course might just nix the blocks, though. Got a small budget.

I found out today that my leaf bushings are junk... they are sitting about 1/2" from center. I grabbed some new poly ones. Probably means the fronts are just as bad. Fun.

 

well it is a 30 yr old truck. Gotta expect sh!t to be worn out. lol

I gotta say order from beefed. His stuff is overdone but id rather have overkill than sh!t breakin on me all day

 

I'd love to, but I had $1000 budget for the truck (including the truck), and I'm at $980. So yea, cheap is good

I'll be waiting a month or two to do the extra stuff. First stop is to make it driveable. Pulling the stock leaf is as cheap as it gets if nothing breaks - FREE.

 

well, the leafs stay. after you remove the ubolts, put a c clamp on the center of the pack near the pin. remove that pin, pull the middle leaf out, and put the pin back. if its messed up, replace it with a grade 8 bolt. it might need a slight trim if you reuse it. it could be done with all the stock hardware, but sure will be alot of effort. i hate fighting u bolts. i usually snap one anyways. lol.

 

OK, was going to tackle this soon, and needed to ask a quick question. You mentioned clamps on the leaf springs, well here are what I have on mine. You mentioned a BIG pry bar... yep, have one of those. So once the center leaf is gone can I ditch these brackets?

 

Yes you can but dont throw them away just incase you ever want to put it back on

 

i used a large screw driver and pounded under each side of the clamp then pryed
didnt have enough room for a pry bar on the 78
also the clamps on the middle leaf were attached (maybe rivited?) on
you do have a 81, it could be different

 

Well next weekend I'm giving it a shot, if not I'm probably either going with blocks until i can afford springs or just leave 'em alone. I've spent too much on this truck already!

 

its super easy. undo u bolts put jack under axle use vise grips to clamp center bolt on leaf loosen with ratchet and kroil undo clamp on leaf replace lower leaf mine are flipped place lowering blocks on center bolt lower axle down replace new u bolts and torque. you may have to lower jack stands before putting in blocks. do one side at a time and torque your u bolts and after a month go back and torque them again and youre good

 

Which direction do you install the angled 4" blocks? Any pics or diagrams would be appreciated.

 

Narrow to the front to point the pinion back down at the trans output.

 

I read high side goes towards the rear.

 

Yup short to the front, tall to the back.

 

the hole on the bottom of the new 4" blocks are too small. I tried to drill it out didnt get it big enough. Is it safe to drill out the hole in the bottom of the aluminium blocks for the guide nipple on the leafs to fit? Not sure if I should just get new blocks from beefed taco or remove the center leaf and leave my 3" inch blocks in place.