Blocks or leafs: Which is better?

[stepside2k1s10]

I don't know if anyone has posted about this earlier, but what does everyone think would be better as far as ride quality goes?

[T Man]

Did you mean springs or spindles???? Blocks are for the back, cant run them on the front, springs and spindles are for the front.

[stepside2k1s10]

that's what I meant, I saw the word spindles on another window, and I typed it on the title. is there a way to change the title of the thread to "blocks or leafs"?

[T Man]

well,i tried for you, but no luck. I dont know about the ride since i dont have either.

[lowriderbowtie]

Spindles will ride like its stock....drop coils tighten up the ride
Blocks will ride like stock...drop leafs will soften up the ride

If you are looking to so a simple 2/3....spindles and blocks are the way to go. and you dont need to replace shocks with spindles or blocks

[blazen]

like mr bowtie said plus
springs=cheaper and easier to install, give a stiffer ride,drop1" 2" or 3"
spindles=more expensive, harder to install,give factory ride,usually only drop 2"

blocks=cheaper and easier install,factory ride,dont need new shocks,1,2,3, or 4" drop.
leafs=harder install, more expensive, softer ride, usually drop 3"

i think most do the springs up front and blocks in back. just cheaper and easier. and will still handle good and ride ok. good luck

[LilYellowZQ8]

springs=cheaper and easier to install, give a stiffer ride,drop1" 2" or 3"
spindles=more expensive, harder to install,give factory ride,usually only drop 2"

Springs or spindles are going to be the same because you have to remove the spindle to remove the spring, right? So I am not sure about it being easier. Doing springs are more involved and possibly dangerous if not done correctly. Both ways are going to require an alignment, but the spindles are going to throw out the toe-in and the springs are going to change camber and toe-in, So with the springs, it will take longer to align because of the added steps involved.

[lowriderbowtie]

you only have to knock the lower ball joint free to pull the spings out...you can leave the tie-rod ends attached as well as the upper ball joint.
springs are really quick to pull...i can get mine out in about 30 mins, and its about the same to put them back in properly.

no matter what you are changing on the front suspension (except shocks) you need an allignment afterwards....drop spindles throw the toe out, and springs bring in the positive camber.

[stepside2k1s10]

I am pretty sure I am due for an alignment check pretty soon, so if I do spindles and blocks (2/2 or 2/3 drop), does anyone think the dealership would void a warranty?

[lowriderbowtie]

Well, i test drove an '01 s10 about a week ago..and i asked the salesman if the warenty would void if i altered the suspension height, and he said YES.

[stepside2k1s10]

dammit. That's all I got to say.

[stepside2k1s10]

I guess I will have to order the zq8 coils and leafs if I want the truck any lower than it is now(I have a bad feeling in my stomach and my wallet), or I'll just go to a junkyard.

[bvr775]

it all depends on what leafs you use.these are the leafs i have used. grond force mono leafs are super softy and you loose your towing capibilty. beltech is a harder leaf and you retain more of your towing capibilty. eaton is as close to factory ride as you get. they eliminate allot of axel wrap and the way they are build they eliminate the need for pinion shims. I like my eatons well worth the money to have them made but you'll only get a 2 1/2 drop out of them. You can almost get an additionale half inch but you have to make your own shackes.

[lowriderbowtie]

how much warenty do you have left on your truck??

[stepside2k1s10]

When my parents helped seal the deal, they purchased a 39 month/39k mile warranty with it, when it was purchased in july of 04 it had 22k miles on it, and I have 28,500 miles on it now, so it'll be a while.

[surfsnow]

do you need to change the front shocks when yu go with springs? I'm going to go mild with 1" or 2" coils and 2" blocks. Also, on the 4 cils, is it true that because of the light weight that 2" coils will give you closer to a 1.5" drop?

[s10cyncrvr]

Installing drop components will only void the parts of the warrenty that could be affected by the modified parts. ie: If your windshield wipers quit working, they still have to cover that.

[lowriderbowtie]

do you need to change the front shocks when yu go with springs? I'm going to go mild with 1" or 2" coils and 2" blocks. Also, on the 4 cils, is it true that because of the light weight that 2" coils will give you closer to a 1.5" drop?

Yes you need new front shocks with drop springs. And If you have a V6 and you put in coils made for a 4cyl, you can expect anyware from .5-1" extra drop and vise versa

[stockchevy1983]

i have a 98 s10 pickup 2wd, single cab and short bed with 2'' drop spindles, 2'' coils, and i have 3'' belltech leaf springs, and toxic drops shocks in back and edelbrock IAS shocks up front, drives very nicely.

[LS2Sonoma]

when installing blocks - does anyone correct the driveshaft angles afterwards?

[T Man]

With a 3 inch drop, its not normally necessary, any more than that the driveshaft angle needs to be corrected with angled blocks

[LS2Sonoma]

the guy i know installed 3" blocks had a severe vibration over 60mph

he told me they were professionally installed..not sure by who, some company up here in canada.

would having a single or double piece driveshaft make a difference?

[T Man]

I dont think your problem is block related. The reason you angle your pinion is to reduce wheel hop. Sounds like another problem.

[LS2Sonoma]

raising the steady bearing eliminated the vibration...

[T Man]

Raising the carrier eleminated it? how much drop do you have?

[LS2Sonoma]

i dont have any drop..

i know two guys who had vibration with 3" blocks, both of them were fixed by moving the carrier up about the same height as the blocks

[biggd1884]

you are right about that

[indigo s10]

The warranty will only be void on affected parts. If you lower you truck and the A/C quits, they still have to fix it. It's covered under the Magnuson-Moss act.