04 2500hd rear blocks factory?

Brandon5778 · February 1, 2018

Sorry if this has been posted I can't find anything on it, probably using wrong search terms..

I have an 2004 2500hd and I am trying to get a leveled look. When I bought the truck the guy let me have some aftermarket keys that were not installed to "level" it out. He also said the rear was lifted 2 inches with blocks. After my own visual inspection the factory keys are cranked up quite a bit, but my CV angles are not very bad at all.

After doing a lot of research I am just going to sell the aftermarket keys that I have because I just rebuilt my front end and I know how much stress it puts on everything if you crank it up higher with different keys. Instead I'll save up for a proper lift kit in the future. For now I want to leave the front with the factory keys cranked (about an inch and a half) and drop the rear the 2 inches back to factory. This will leave me with an inch of rake for towing.

My questions are:

1. It seems like all I need to do is remove the blocks in the rear, can I still use the U-bolts that are installed now, or do I need new hardware?

2. I've read a lot about these trucks having factory blocks installed, but I think it was just the 1500s they were talking about. Should my truck have any factory blocks in it? If so is it OK to run without them?

3. I'm planning on getting new shocks as mine are factory with 125k on them. With the front leveled how it is now would I want to order the bilsteins with 0-2 inches of lift for the front?

Here is my truck as it sits now.

Formulabruce · February 2, 2018

There are stock measurements with the stock 245 tire on the net for height, Im not 100% certain but they are out there.

I would not worry about a "level" "Stance" or the "rake" as neither have anything to do with performance, Driveability, or Ride comfort.

I think your front could be "up" more than stock, but hard to tell with the tires. As you said every little bit on the torsion keys gets very stiff.

No block in back aside from the factor spring perch.

The 3/4 ton truck was Never made to be an offroad fun truck, even if its now in 2019 marketed as one. The suspension is far to stiff to work well in the hills, mud etc.

Many people like to try to make their truck look "Tough" But usually it comes at huge expenses for tires, and suspension parts.

IF you want a lift, get a 2 inch "Body " Lift. Thats all you can do without a complete cooling system rework.

These trucks are up in the back for a reason, Ride and payload. Even a 2 inch lift Raises your center of gravity.

If Gm could have made the truck look more Badd ass and still do its Job, it would have. Mopar put lift blocks in their trucks for years, and used a straight front axle with it too. NOt my cup of tea, but if you want looks, keep in mind, if you are driving it, you are not looking at it, others are, so fix it for yourself, not others. Good luck

Brandon5778 · February 2, 2018

13 hours ago, Formulabruce said:

There are stock measurements with the stock 245 tire on the net for height, Im not 100% certain but they are out there.

I would not worry about a "level" "Stance" or the "rake" as neither have anything to do with performance, Driveability, or Ride comfort.

I think your front could be "up" more than stock, but hard to tell with the tires. As you said every little bit on the torsion keys gets very stiff.

No block in back aside from the factor spring perch.

The 3/4 ton truck was Never made to be an offroad fun truck, even if its now in 2019 marketed as one. The suspension is far to stiff to work well in the hills, mud etc.

Many people like to try to make their truck look "Tough" But usually it comes at huge expenses for tires, and suspension parts.

IF you want a lift, get a 2 inch "Body " Lift. Thats all you can do without a complete cooling system rework.

These trucks are up in the back for a reason, Ride and payload. Even a 2 inch lift Raises your center of gravity.

If Gm could have made the truck look more Badd ass and still do its Job, it would have. Mopar put lift blocks in their trucks for years, and used a straight front axle with it too. NOt my cup of tea, but if you want looks, keep in mind, if you are driving it, you are not looking at it, others are, so fix it for yourself, not others. Good luck

Thanks for your input. I bought my truck because I tow my boat a lot during the summer and to use as a daily driver. I understand the purpose of a 3/4 ton truck. But I also just like the truck, and looks are important to me. I simply don't like a whole lot of rake. Thanks for letting me know there is no blocks from the factory, I will be taking mine out.

Do I need to buy new u-bolts and hardware or can I just run with what's in it now? They'll just stick down lower, right? I also added another picture to show a better perspective of how much higher the rear end is. I measured the fender height and the back is 3 inches higher.