Block vs no block. This is my question..

Sup guys? I keep hearing this over and over regarding using blocks.. not 2-3" blocks but 1". Everyone says they'll make your leaf springs wear faster. I can't for the life of me wrap my head around this decreased life span theory. How do the leaf springs know what has changed? Leaf springs don't rest on the axle. The thick ass, very stiff overload spring does.. and it's resting on a round rear axle. Leaf pack still in contact with the overload.. now a block between the axle and overload, in my opinion, would give a slightly longer platform for the overload to rest on.. helping to gradually decrease the length of whatever the overload is on.. i.e. overload>4" long block(platform)>axle.. this advice of prematurely killing leaf springs is hogwash because we rarely haul so much that we bear our leaf packs fully onto the overload.. if that ever happened we'd juice up the leaf pack.. or add a leaf for hauling. Want opinions because I feel it's misinformed guidance to newbies wanting to learn. My opinion is it won't harm the leaf pack nor shorten its life.. going too big will have consequences but not premature leaf spring failure..
Appreciate any feedback.. happy holidays!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Thanks! Had to update the photo on my '06..

 

Sad sad day on the first snow of the season..

 

Cogent post. Nicely presented. Curious for answers as I am 270 miles into this one inch block you speak of...

 

Based on my thinking I'd say all will be well your Tacoma world.. merry Christmas!

 

I can’t see a way a one inch block will harm your leaf springs.

 

A block increases the moment arm giving the axle torque more leverage against the leaf springs under axle wrap (both from acceleration and deceleration), you have more axle wrap which "S" curves the leafs.

Springs can either store energy or be at rest stably but storing and releasing energy breaks down their resistance to flex: "wearing them out".

Think of it like a paper clip being bent back and forth, it can do it a few times but eventually it breaks.

Blocks just make the breakdown happen faster by increasing leverage, the taller the block the less support on the spring perch and the more leverage is had the quicker the breakdown.

Plus upgrading your whole leaf pack is relatively cheap and easy and you get more load and better flex so why cheap out on something that impacts EVERYTHING about your ride quality and harshness?

 

I can understand axle wrap.. but nothing is physically changing in regards to what the leaf pack is experiencing.. anything that the leaf pack sees is thru the overload.. that's my point.. and after discussion with many a friend I still can't see the impact.. driveline alterations I can grock.. the paper clip thing wouldn't happen over the helper/overload spring.. which isn't cited in a stock set up..

 

I mean in practical application a one inch block probably won't harm anything NOTICEABLY but it's the "killing a fly back in time changes the future" kind of thing, a small variation over many cycles and time does have impact, and from a scientific or engineering stand point, it's measurable and repeatable.

It does lead to more wrap, I have visibly seen it in person watching other Tacoma's take off from lights and using a go pro on my own truck to watch suspension cycling.

1"-6" they all increase it some and thus impact the spring life and ride, the question is, how much you're willing to accept.

If your butt dyno can't tell and you like it well, I can't stop you, just inform you, but personally I think it's a waste of money.

 

From experience
I use Toytec 1” blocks. Plus A Toytec AAL on stock springs . My ride height with about 350 lbs of gear that stays in the back of my truck has stayed consistent and my springs are still acceptable
I have no noticeable axle wrap and honestly I’m impressed with the soft ride on and off-road . Everything I have read says stock springs are garbage. Stock springs are soft and not Load tolerant but not garbage
I say run your 1” block and when you upgrade
Upgrade to a more robust spring if needed
Putting the AAL in is a little more involved than the block. If all your trying to do
Is gain an 1” then use the blocks

 

Welcome to TW!

 

So, does a block compress the spring when a truck is at rest any more than if the spring sat on the perch when the truck is at rest?

Also does a block cause the overload to engage quicker than it would without a block?

 

No, a block is simply adding space between the stock suspension and the axle exaggerating the S bending in the spring (Axle wrap) which can lead to saggy springs much faster and horrendous take off shudder the entire time.

A block lift also does nothing to add load capacity like an add a leaf or a full replacement pack would.

The overload only really comes into play when the leaf pack is "overloaded" or over flexed EVENLY front to rear, the spring can recurve on the overload leaf under axle wrap contrary to the beliefs of the... uneducated above.

 

I thought that would be the answer to my first question. Thank you.
Also, I have heard it stated around here often that a block will cause a ride to be more stiff or harsh(not in the axle wrap at take off sense), but in general driving. What would cause this? And I have to say that in some ways I agree with these statements. I am a few hundred miles into a one inch block. I also replaced 150k oem shocks with 5100's. So there are two variables to consider. I can definitely feel a marked improvement in the shocks, but bigger bumps especially at slower speeds there can also be something that seems harsher than before the 5100's and block. So does a block initiate anything that will cause a harsher ride? Would appreciate your thoughts.

I went with a block because I didn't want more than an inch of lift. It was not a financial decision. That gave me the rake I wanted, and still keeps my 265's from not looking too small imo. That being said I am a bit curious as to how a progressive AAL would ride in comparison. May be worth it even if it affects the look.

 

If you want to try a block, go ahead. You'll see what works for ya and what doesn't..

 

Axle Wrap. Blocks act as a lever applying greater torque on the leafs.

Lift reduces down travel so the shocks may be bottoming out in some situations or may short cycle.

 

That is logical to me. And that reduction of down travel would apply to any choice of rear lift including AAL, producing the same result as I currently have?
And that prompts me to ask the ever present controversial question... Does a block result in a harsher/stiffer ride than replacing the spring or an AAL? If all lift reduces down travel then I think I know the answer. I may real world compare at some point so it's no big deal either way , but it's interesting to discuss prior to...

 

A block should not increase the harshness in the rebound and absorption sense in the suspension unless the shocks are bottoming or topping out from too much lift but a lift block can exaggerate vibration s that get transmitted to the cab, too much of a block lift can change your driveline angles and cause a vibration which could be described as harshness by some I suppose.

Typically though people don't install lift until they put on bigger tires, and typically bigger tires either are required to run higher pressures, or have a higher load rating and therefore flex less and this can definitely increase the harshness of a ride, which may be attributed to the block lift but it's actually due to the tires.

Also, a lift doesn't always decrease down travel, for instance swapping on Chevy 63s can definitely give you a lift and that can give you a lot more down travel.

 

I ran a 1.5” block for a long time on my last truck before switching to a full leaf pack. The difference in ride quality was night and day. No more acle wrap and the rear end felt more planted and had better road mannerisms. Can’t say anything about premature wear because my TSB leafs were already flat after 15,000 miles.