Blocks or add a leaf?
#16
If there are problems with the blocks, maybe you could explain. A friend suggested same thing so I felt reassured by getting the same advice here. But if you'd rather just blast me for taking someone's bad advice from my post, then so be it...have fun with that.
#17
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Year: 2001
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Engine: 4.0L I6 HO
Wasnt blasting you brother. Its the supporters of blocks that i was sitting back and enjoying. You did come to the right place. Blocks don't just add extra axle wrap, they have a tendency to walk out the leaf pack. There will be people that say "I've used blocks for year and didn't have an issue." To be it simple, there are people that smoke all their life and don't get cancer. Some people do get cancer from cigarettes. Why risk it in the first place. Just google negative effects of blocks. We put them right with fram filters when it comes to XJs
#18
::CF Administrator::
Why blast me? I asked for advice. If the blocks were bad advice, shouldn't you be blasting them for giving me bad advice? I thought this was a good place to come for ideas from people who have had XJs much longer than I have, but I guess not. Eat your popcorn, I seek advice elsewhere from people who might actually want to help.
I suggested leaf packs for a reason, sounds like yours are old and tired. Also the reason I asked you how old/who made them. You don't know. Even more reason to replace them. You also stated you don't think the jeep will last forever, or that you may get rid of it a year or 2 down the road...with proper maintenance, these things are solid. Look how long it's survived thus far. If a spring pack is your biggest concern, you should be ecstatic.
The reason add-a-leafs are not desirable is it's a band-aid. You're just adding a bit more stiffness by adding more material, the old leafs are still tired and worn out...and you'll be in the same boat not far down the road.
The reason blocks are undesirable is pretty much the same, except now, instead of adding material to the pack, you're adding a pivot point on your tired, sagging leaf pack. Basic lever principal. You are adding a fulcrum point on fatigued springs, not good, and again you'll be in the same boat soon.
New leaf packs are not expensive. Yes, AAL's and blocks are cheaper. For a reason.
How do you use your jeep? Do you off road a lot? If so, then DEFINITELY get new leaf packs. If you have it just for looks, then go with what you feel is best. I can't, and won't, recommend blocks...my XJ had them on there when I bought it, I built my own packs and replaced them, and 2 leafs on one side, and one leaf on the other, were broken in half when I removed them. Right where the blocks were. So, I speak from experience. You can build your own packs, or do an AAL cheaply, but I strongly urge you get new packs, especially if you're going to dump this rig on someone else...why make it harder for the next guy? Karma...
Just one man's opinion.
Last edited by Rogue4x4; 05-16-2015 at 08:55 PM.
#19
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New leaf packs is the right way to do it, and your XJ WILL last forever if you take care of it. If you cut corners, procrastinate, and ignore problems, it won't last forever, but it won't be the XJ's fault.
#20
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Lift blocks will case wheel hop/axle wrap,They can limit the full flex of the left spring up.And some brands have been known to move around casing even more problems.Add a leaf will give you a inch lift but it changes your spring back to a higher spring rate,With the higher spring rate you will have a rougher ride and your already sagging springs will keep in sagging.Short answer bite the bullet and buy new leaf springs its cheaper in the long run and you have no problems out of them.
#21
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Why blast me? I asked for advice. If the blocks were bad advice, shouldn't you be blasting them for giving me bad advice? I thought this was a good place to come for ideas from people who have had XJs much longer than I have, but I guess not. Eat your popcorn, I seek advice elsewhere from people who might actually want to help.
It's an XJ. It's going to last you a long time.
Long story short, fix it right the first time. Get new full springs. Don't waste your money on "cheap" crap. Like blocks. It's still crap.
#22
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I think the reason you're getting snarky responses is because of this statement. It suggests you would only invest the expense and effort of proper maintenance on something if it was guaranteed to provide you with a lifetime of service. That's called a paradox.
#23
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Well that was directed at my response but others covered everything I would have said and some I had not thought of, so thanks guys saved me a lot of typing.
BTW only one thing lasts forever..........Death, and we have a hope that was promised us about that also.
BTW only one thing lasts forever..........Death, and we have a hope that was promised us about that also.
#24
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as stated before blocks are not a good idea in this case and to be honest most others. replacing the broken or damaged (sagging) leaf spring is the best and safest route.
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