How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
I HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY OF WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU, OR YOUR TRUCK, THIS GUIDE IS UP HERE FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES; CARRY ON AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Tools needed: 1/2" Socket Set And Ratchet Penetrating oil 1/2" Breaker Bar 2 different jacks a set of jack stands (or wood blocks) 2 C-clamps (helps) and angle grinder with a metal cutting disk Materials needed: Add a leaf kit with new leaf pack bolts (4 inch or more) New U bolts (HIGHLY recommended) :Caution: you may want to spray the u-bolts and center bolt for leaf pack with penetrating oil a couple hours prior. These bolts are on there really good. First is first, loosen the rear lugs. Chock your front two tires front and back. Jack up your truck by either the hitch or some other sturdy enough point in the rear end other then your axle. (you will need to relax the suspension) remove tires. http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/6839/0730111111.jpg Make sure the suspension is fully relaxed, place either blocks or jack stands under the axle so when you unbolt the u-bolts the axle will land on them. (the shocks will also hold the axle up but i do not recommend maxxing those out.) http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6766/0730111111a.jpg Next step is to unbolt the U-Bolts (mine were stubborn so i had cut them) Once u-bolts are removed and the leaf pack and axle are separate from the block. I suggest using some sort of clamps to hold the leafs together to prevent them from falling. http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/2314/0730111141.jpg You can now unbolt the bolt holding the leaf pack together. (i had to cut mine) http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/2...0111141aln.jpg once leafs are separate you can remove the bottom leaf (overload spring mainly on 4x4's) http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/4070/0730111146.jpg sometimes the center pin is stubborn, knock the head out of the hole. http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/3339/0730111147.jpg place the add a leaf at the BOTTOM of your leaf pack. (NOT UNDER THE OVERLOAD SPRING) then fish the new bolt through. http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/9679/0730111149.jpg This part will require alot of muscle. (it helps with C-Clamps) tighten the bolt with the supplied nut. (if you can get a deep socket on there with a breaker bar it really make this easy. you may have to cut some of the bolt to fit the socket around the nut.i used deep sockets so i had to cut a minimum amount) http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/9227/0730111159.jpg tighten the nut with a breaker bar until you cannot anymore with one arm. Cut excess threads off. (leave a 1/4 of an inch as seen in pic) http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/5666/0730111205.jpg And there you have it, your add a leaf is successfully installed into your leaf pack! http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/4757/0730111209.jpg to lessen strain on lifting the axle, use the second jack to lift up your axle to re-install your block and u-bolts (make sure the head of the leaf bolt is lined up with the hole on your block or axle.) THERE YA HAVE IT! http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/5209/0803111724a.jpg :adore: http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/2435/0801111517.jpg |
Re: How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
Good write up...
So where is the best place to buy the add a leafs? About how much extra lift did you get? How much different does it ride? |
Re: How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
not much difference in ride, i got mine from summit for about $45 with shipping and i have gained 2" of lift new u-bolts were custom bent from a spring shop for $25 for all 4
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Re: How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
and the list grows
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Re: How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
haha i hear ya
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Re: How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
Exactly how i did mine. Putting the back back together was the hardest part of it all, otherwise its pretty quick
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Re: How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
Just a heads up, if you get a 4" center bolt you dont need to use the c-clamps to push the spring together, therefore saving valuable energy (hit the center pin w/ a deepwell socket and impact gun)
ALWAYS use jackstands (like the PO did) NEVER reuse u-bolts (to get them off, the easiest way is to cut them, not unbolt them) |
Re: How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
i actually unbolted some u-bolts from a junk yard they were very clean and intact, just as rusty as everything else and they came off very clean and looked in a very re-usable state. but yes which is why i recommended getting new u-bolts. i had also used an impact with the deep socket but i intended this guide for the average joe mechanic.
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Re: How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
The reason why you dont EVER re-use u-bolts is bc when they're torqued correctly, they're designed to stretch (like torque to spec head bolts). After stretched they are very difficult to get the nuts off of. Sure, they look perfectly fine, but are now weak.
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Re: How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
ok i gotcha, i will change that thanks man
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Re: How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
nice write up, wood blocks look sketchy tho lol
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Re: How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
whatever, i live on the edge haha
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Re: How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
Are the u-bolts the same size? Like if I go find a place to make me some..can I just take an old one with me and tell them to make it exactly to this?
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Re: How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
^answer smashers question!
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Re: How To: Install Add-A-Leafs
Yes please do! As it gets closer to summer time I am thinking of the 3" spindles, and AAL/Shackles in the back..and want to know my question!
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