Lethal Weapon

....ONLY if you purchase the kit that way. They also have a rear block option which includes "Block stacking" on top of the OEM block! Now, THAT is bad! Wtf???
Personally, I rate skyjacker at the bottom of the list. Their quality has gone down hill over the years. Their brackets are slightly thinner & their steering knuckles are also the least beefiest I've seen. Sorry..... I don't give them high ratings just for making rear leaf packs "as an option". There are other companies who also offer rear spring packs that are available if one chooses to purchase them and better quality.
Not knocking Skyjacker.... They're an "ok" kit & will still be ok on your truck... But there are definitely better kits out there.
I own a BDS & love it... But will rate Rancho at the top with their 1pc sub frame system. JMO.

jonbar87

What other company offers leaf springs? And actually, Skyjacker requires 20" wheels because their steering knuckles are so large...

BDS uses blocks. Enough said. What legit suspension company actually uses blocks?? Everyone knows that's a no no.

Lethal Weapon

I've personally owned skyjacker products on my show truck years ago... When their quality was at their best...again, they're not bad...but they are NOT the best just because YOU or anyone else owns their product. I have a BDS on my truck & still feel Rancho is a better system. And it has NOTHING to do with the rear block vs rear spring campaign that you are so proud to support.
I am NOT knocking you, your truck, or skyjacker...they make "ok" products...the fact is: there are better & there are advantages & disadvantages on ALL kits including the kit I chose.
To answer your questions and to set the facts straight...and ANYONE can also check out the websites for verification...
Other companies who sell lifted spring packs: DEAVER SUSPENSION: http://www.deaverspring.com/
Bulletproof suspension: http://bulletproofsuspension.net/ ATLAS SPRING: http://www.atlassuspension.com/atlas-leaf-springs.html (which I believe makes them for BP Suspension... to name a couple & I'm sure there are more...) Now a old coworker also had a lifted 2010 F150 Skyjacker kit, (now recently purchased a F250 Superduty), and we compared our kits and ALL the Skyjacker metal drop down brackets were THINNER, and the Steering knuckle was ALSO not as beefy as my BDS. Also the rear HAD BLOCKS from Skyjacker!! and they were STACKED with the OEM block! THIS IS FACT! Please ALL readers: please go to Skyjacker's web site: http://skyjacker.com/ And ALL can see these NEXT facts...
Skyjacker does indeed offer (as an OPTIONAL) Rear leaf packs... BUT they also offer: Block & add a Leaf... and they Also offer BLOCK ONLY which is even STACKED with the OEM... This FACT: is on page 13 on their instruction manual and PICS showing this. (I can not get the pic off the PDF file to upload to this, but Anyone can go & see it for themselves).
Also: this is right off of their instructions in step 11: ( Now THIS is BAD!!!) This is a definite MAJOR "no no" .... agreed???? But they are a "legit" company, as you say.... and they also use rear lift blocks & the ONLY company that I know that stacks them.

11. 6" Lift: While checking for appropriate slack in ABS lines, brake


lines, differential breather hose, & etc. Lower the rear axle & install


the new Skyjacker 4.5" rear lift blocks below the OEM rear blocks


with the taller end of the new rear lift blocks toward the rear of the


vehicle.


Back to the steering knuckle size... Rancho has been the ONLY company that I know, that you can re install your stock 18" wheels...everyone else including Skyjacker & BDS need larger wheels for this reason: The location of the tie rods will HIT the OEM wheels at a lock to lock position. Rancho seems to be the only one to address this correctly. (BDS accepts 18" wheels, but require a more negative offset for the previous reason just explained).


Lastly & back to the blocks... as I know the blocks cause axle wrap & have been highlighted in many of your posts.... I along with many others have NO problem & I yet have EVER experienced axle wrap with my truck - I drive normal - not like an idiot, I do moderate trail riding to camp & hunting & no issues at all...BUT before you state that skyjacker is the "ALMIGHTY" gift of suspension systems... because they make a pair of leaf springs... definitely does not impress me at all. THEY TOO make & use lift blocks in their kits, and would not surprise me if they still use Aluminum blocks instead of steel..... NOW in your exact words: What legit suspension company actually uses blocks?? Everyone knows that's a no no Guess what???? so does Skyjacker!... AND THEY ARE STACKING THEM!!!!!
I've done suspension work & custom suspensions from mild to wild and have owned Skyjacker leafs & coils on my very own trucks including my Bronco II (5 time 4WD Jamboree winner & ISCA winner). Pics included at the bottom.
I hope I'm not trying to sound like I'm trying to argue & I know how strong you feel on the kit & Rear Springs you have on your truck.... You indeed have a sharp truck!... But I am answering the exact questions that you asked - with facts. And anyone can look & verify for themselves.
AND if I ever decide to eliminate my rear blocks...I can always purchase Skyjacker rear leafs...or maybe Deaver? or Atlas...or ???
Hope this answers any questions you had?


Edit - (additional note) : There are a LOT of nice suspension kits out there and many different brands are owned by us right here on this forum. We are proud of our trucks & proud of the hard earned money that WE spent on it... they all have their ups & downs... folks...there are options out there... we are all here to help each other. Some things work better than others depending on how we want our trucks to perform & also many personal preferences.... but we have choices!
- America!!!

jedeckert1984

Now that's a joke...

SgtAxe

I had a Skyjacker on my Dodge. Rode beautifully and cleared 37s with ease. I've been debating lift kits for some time and I always seem to come full circle back to BDS. Unless you wheel the hell out of it, for mash the pedal at every light, blocks aren't going to cause you an issue. Besides, there are remedies for that if axle wrap is a concern. You can always upgrade to full leaf packs later, or just add a set of traction bars. You can read all the replies and commentary you want, but do your research and decide what's best for you. I've been lifting trucks and jeeps for some time. I'm not an expert, but I have seen pretty much every setup there is...rancho, superlift, bds, rough country, zone...you get the idea. For my 12 Screw, I've decided on the BDS. The pros of this kit far outweigh any negatives I've read. And the reverse rake you get with McGs look hideous in my opinion. And please, use the recommended tire size! My dodge was originally fit with 35s with the 6" and looked stupid. A month later I bought 37s and was finally happy. It makes all the difference in the world. Nothing uglier that a lifted truck with too small a tire. And the other commenter that mentioned Skyjacker requiring 20s...he's dead on. Those suckers were heavy and beefy. You needed the extra room that only a 20" wheel could provide. But go BDS.

jonbar87

Ok. Yep. Blocks are better.

City slickers never cease to amaze me.

jedeckert1984

Do you have an obsessions with Skyjacker or have a deep hatred for Lift blocks? Did I mention anything about blocks in my most recent comment?
No, I highlighted the part where you said that ridiculous comment about, and I quote/paraphrase, "Skyjacker requires 20" wheels because their steering knuckles are so large...". If anything that just shows poor design because not all people run 20s or larger, most run 17s to 22s on their truck which is a variety of wheel sizes.
Isn't that little jab at the end ironic? I see in your profile picture your truck is parked in front of a track home which by definition, a "city slicker".
People never cease to amaze me.

jonbar87

I have a deep hatred for blocks. As should anyone else who understands simple mechanics. Their steering knuckles ARE larger, which is why they require 20s...

jedeckert1984

You do realize that with simple mechanics comes the understanding that with bigger leaf springs also comes "wheel hop" and axle wrap right? You keep telling yourself that bud, what ever makes you feel better.

jonbar87

What? Do you even know what you're talking about? What do you mean "bigger leaf springs"? They are the same length as the old ones, or else they wouldn't fit. The taller the blocks, the more the axle will wrap thus causing wheel hop. Period. My leafs sit directly on the axle housing. That's what eliminates hop.