Blocks vs Carli Progressive Leafs

[joesetum]

I’m looking for some advice or recommendations from anyone that might have experience with either of these. my truck is a 21 3500 HO SRW with factory air suspension. I put on 35x12.5x18’s on already. Then I bought thurens kit which came with 2.25“ soft ride coils, adjustable track bar, and fox reservoir 2.0s for front and rear. I bought 2” spacers for my rear leafs and air bags. I’m wondering if I’m going to run into issues running 2“ blocks in the rear and if I should just spend the money on carli’s progressive leaf springs. Is it worth the $2300 they want for that set up for factory air? I don’t know much about suspension set ups so I’m not sure if the cost outweighs the performance or vice versa. Only thing I’ve read that I get worried about would be the blocks adding to any axel wrap that could occur when towing or making the truck work (not sure if this truck would be more prone to it being the HO?) This truck won’t be doing any crazy wheeling or off roading, it just gets used on city/highway, towing trailers, and gets used as my hunting rig. Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[BikePilot]

I wouldn’t think that axle wrap would be a major issue with 2” blocks, so probably fine there. The Carli setup is likely to ride better and give more flex, which may not be super relevant for your use.

 

[Lazybones]

2" rear blocks are pushing the limit on those fox shocks. I believe the rears are spec'd for stock to 1.5" taller than stock. Maybe get some 1.5" spacers instead and then you can also gain a little piece of mind regarding the axle wrap as well. I don't have experience with the Carli progressive leaf springs but from what I've read is you can get more sag out of them as opposed to factory but its probably not a huge concern being you have airbags. I'm sure you would be happier with the Carli springs but the rear blocks are so cheap I think its worth a try first unless you are trying to soften up the rear end a bit right now.

 

[Squatch]

I’d leave it alone, those carli springs would ride nice, but unless you’re hell bent on spending money, you don’t have much to worry about. Don’t over-think it.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Don’t the 3500 4x4s already have a “block” in the rear from the factory?

 

[Lazybones]

Kind of. I think they're basically built into the leaf springs if I recall.

 

[loveracing1988]

I’d leave it alone, those carli springs would ride nice, but unless you’re hell bent on spending money, you don’t have much to worry about. Don’t over-think it.

If he doesn't do something he will be about 1.25" nose high.

To the OP install the 2" blocks and see how it rides/looks. You can always upgrade to the full leaf springs later. Verify you have the correct U bolts though, your 2" kit didn't come from carli so it might have the smaller axle tube U bolts from the 2018 trucks.

 

[loveracing1988]

2" rear blocks are pushing the limit on those fox shocks. I believe the rears are spec'd for stock to 1.5" taller than stock. Maybe get some 1.5" spacers instead and then you can also gain a little piece of mind regarding the axle wrap as well. I don't have experience with the Carli progressive leaf springs but from what I've read is you can get more sag out of them as opposed to factory but its probably not a huge concern being you have airbags. I'm sure you would be happier with the Carli springs but the rear blocks are so cheap I think its worth a try first unless you are trying to soften up the rear end a bit right now.

While true they say that I do not think it is accurate with the 4.5 gen trucks. They dropped the rear of the truck for 2019 by 2" so there should be plenty of travel. I will put it this way, When I installed my 1" blocks I could have left the fox shocks connected they had so much additional travel.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Id do the blocks and add ladder bars to keep axle wrap at a minimum

 

[Squatch]

If he doesn't do something he will be about 1.25" nose high.

To the OP install the 2" blocks and see how it rides/looks. You can always upgrade to the full leaf springs later. Verify you have the correct U bolts though, your 2" kit didn't come from carli so it might have the smaller axle tube U bolts from the 2018 trucks.

I misread, I thought he already had the blocks, so I was saying leave em.