Can the rear be lifted by installing different shocks?

Or can it only be done by thicker leafspring pack?

 

Nope By leaf spring or blocks cheapest is shackles

 

Shocks dampen a vehicle's ride, they have nothing to do with supporting a vehicle's weight.

What is it that you're trying to achieve anyway?

Replacing a leafpack is easy fortunately.

 

Helper bags will raise it up. More air, the higher it will raise up.

 

At the expense of downtravel.

 

Thicker leaf pack, stronger leaf pack, blocks or bags.

 

Details

 

Details can be very expensive.

 

Or eliminate the leaf pack and go CO

 

A slight lift in the rear. For clearance.

 

Clearance for what exactly?

We're all definitely here to help you but many times a detailed explanation typically yields better results.

Depending on what you have at the moment, if you're running a worn leaf pack, you will net some gain with a brand new one.

This is especially true if you're running a stock leaf pack. That thing was long overdue a decade ago. And replacing it with a stock leaf pack (new) will probably raise you an inch or more.

 

I recently replaced the leaf packs with OEM equivalent. The old ones were rusty and over a decade old. So, I did gain a bit more height. But, would like more. This is for going off road. Basically wanting to drive faster on trails without the suspension bottoming out sooner. I was thinking this could be accomplished by stiffer shocks.

 

Cool ok.

May I ask, have you really gone off-road as you're currently set up?

I don't know how experienced you are, so take what I say as a general statement, but these trucks are very capable in stock form. Even with a stock leaf pack.

Changes in suspension does generally side with shocks that may feel "stiffer" and that's generally so your wheels remain planted to the ground as often as possible.

Remember, lack of traction is the biggest enemy here.

With that said, the stock leaf pack flexes pretty well on its own.

It's only when you really start pushing it that you find where you'll need help.

The next step naturally is a better set of tires, larger tires even (huge upgrade in itself). The clearance offered, not to mention the ability to air down significantly, is a huge improvement when going off-road.

How far are you into this thing anyway? Experience off-roading? Experience with this specific truck going off-road?

 

Get a pair of AALs (add a leaf), one for each side. Basically just adds an extra leaf to your current (new) leaf packs for a little extra height and load carrying capacity. Depending on the AAL they'll add a half inch to 1.5" of lift.

You'll have to remove the leaf packs of course to install them

 

Not bottoming out sooner can be accomplished with shocks actually, but they won't lift it more.

 

Not much at all. Just minor gravel fire trails. I guess I'm pre-preparing for worse terrain.

 

How much lift are you trying to achieve?

 

Not a bad thing, but I will strongly recommend what I suggested.

Get a better, and slightly larger set of tires, and go from there.

The ability to air down, and air up, is huge in itself so make sure you have an air compressor or similar as well as a means of deflating.

 

2-3"

 

That's a lot of lift, actually.

As stated earlier, you're only going to get that amount of lift from Leafs, shackles, blocks, or combination. Shocks will have to be replaced as well, because the shock shafts you have currently will be too short for that application.

The only way to get a good 3 inch lift is new leaf springs in my opinion. (I.E. depending on your application: Alcan, Deaver, All Pro, or Old Man Emu leafs)

A 3 inch lift is also going to need an adjustment to your load sensing brake proportioning valve as well as a longer brake line.