How-To: Install Add-A-Leaf (AAL) Kit
#1
10-16-2012
How-To: Install Add-A-Leaf (AAL) Kit
Fairly simple install that takes about an hour with proper tools. Yes, I know my truck is filthy. I haven't washed or moved it since I went to the latest meet.
Stuff you need:
Add a Leaf Kit (I used Tough Country 2")
Two 8" c-clamps
New ubolts w/ nuts
Floor Jack
Two Jackstands
Two Ramps
1/2" Deep Socket Set
Impact Gun (you could make do with a 1/2" ratchet and breaker bar"
Air Hammer (You can use a normal hammer and a punch)
Angle Grinder w/ metal cutting disc
PB Blaster
The day before you're going to do this mod, I suggest spraying the nuts on the top of the leaf spring plate which hold the ubolts to the axle that way when you begin, they won't give you any trouble. Mine zipped right out with the impact gun.
Install day:
Chock/block one of your front tires from the front and the back
Break loose the lug nuts on your rear wheels. Do not remove them or loosen them a lot yet, this is just so you can zip them out once they're in the air without the need of using the parking brake.
Jack the back of the truck up from the rear differential, place your ramps parallel with the frame rails of the truck and place your hi-lift jack stands on the flat part of the ramps.
Remove your wheels
Lower the truck down slowly so your frame fits perfectly into the "claw" of the jack stands.
Remove the 4 18MM nuts (2 per ubolt) that hold the leaf spring plate. Remove the ubolts and spring plate. Discard old ubolts and nuts.
*Before anyone even asks why to discard the ubolts and nuts, its because once they're torqued onto the truck once, they stretch. Torquing them down again will just weaken them, putting you and your truck at risk of something failing in the future.
Your jack should still be under the differential as support. Lower it down slowly until you see the top of the block separate from the helper spring (lower, flat leaf)
What you should have removed:
Take your c-clamps and place them on the leaf packs holding them together somewhat tight for the next step.
Now, take your angle grinder with a metal-cutting disc and cut off the center pin bolt.
* sometimes the center pin bolt will be stubborn to remove through the individual leafs, this is when your air hammer comes into play. A quick burst will blast it through the bottom.
Center Pin cut out
Slowly loosen your c-clamps and remove your helper spring (the flat one at the bottom).
Place your new add-a-leaf on top of the helper spring *NOT UNDER EVERYTHING* and slide the new provided center pin through all of the leafs in the pack including your new add-a-leaf. thread on the new provided nut just so the pin doesnt drop out of the bottom.
Once again, use your c-clamps to tighten the leafs together. Make sure the bottom of the center pin is lined up with the hole on the perch on your axle.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Slide your rear block back in. Put it in from above your drum and going inward, its the easiest way. make sure the block goes into the hole on the axle perch. Slowly jack up the axle from the rear diff. Line up the new center pin so it goes into the hole on the top of the block.
Tighten your new center pin to spec. You'll have to trim it as you go with the grinder or your socket wont fit.
Grab your new u-bolts and nuts and slide them through the leaf spring plate on the top. Tighten, and torque to spec.
Repeat process again for the other side.
Luck,
LTR
Other Pictures
Product used:
Before Measurement (ground to center of lip of the wheel well)
After Measurement
Stuff you need:
Add a Leaf Kit (I used Tough Country 2")
Two 8" c-clamps
New ubolts w/ nuts
Floor Jack
Two Jackstands
Two Ramps
1/2" Deep Socket Set
Impact Gun (you could make do with a 1/2" ratchet and breaker bar"
Air Hammer (You can use a normal hammer and a punch)
Angle Grinder w/ metal cutting disc
PB Blaster
The day before you're going to do this mod, I suggest spraying the nuts on the top of the leaf spring plate which hold the ubolts to the axle that way when you begin, they won't give you any trouble. Mine zipped right out with the impact gun.
Install day:
Chock/block one of your front tires from the front and the back
Break loose the lug nuts on your rear wheels. Do not remove them or loosen them a lot yet, this is just so you can zip them out once they're in the air without the need of using the parking brake.
Jack the back of the truck up from the rear differential, place your ramps parallel with the frame rails of the truck and place your hi-lift jack stands on the flat part of the ramps.
Remove your wheels
Lower the truck down slowly so your frame fits perfectly into the "claw" of the jack stands.
Remove the 4 18MM nuts (2 per ubolt) that hold the leaf spring plate. Remove the ubolts and spring plate. Discard old ubolts and nuts.
*Before anyone even asks why to discard the ubolts and nuts, its because once they're torqued onto the truck once, they stretch. Torquing them down again will just weaken them, putting you and your truck at risk of something failing in the future.
Your jack should still be under the differential as support. Lower it down slowly until you see the top of the block separate from the helper spring (lower, flat leaf)
What you should have removed:
Take your c-clamps and place them on the leaf packs holding them together somewhat tight for the next step.
Now, take your angle grinder with a metal-cutting disc and cut off the center pin bolt.
* sometimes the center pin bolt will be stubborn to remove through the individual leafs, this is when your air hammer comes into play. A quick burst will blast it through the bottom.
Center Pin cut out
Slowly loosen your c-clamps and remove your helper spring (the flat one at the bottom).
Place your new add-a-leaf on top of the helper spring *NOT UNDER EVERYTHING* and slide the new provided center pin through all of the leafs in the pack including your new add-a-leaf. thread on the new provided nut just so the pin doesnt drop out of the bottom.
Once again, use your c-clamps to tighten the leafs together. Make sure the bottom of the center pin is lined up with the hole on the perch on your axle.
[IMG]
[/IMG]Slide your rear block back in. Put it in from above your drum and going inward, its the easiest way. make sure the block goes into the hole on the axle perch. Slowly jack up the axle from the rear diff. Line up the new center pin so it goes into the hole on the top of the block.
Tighten your new center pin to spec. You'll have to trim it as you go with the grinder or your socket wont fit.
Grab your new u-bolts and nuts and slide them through the leaf spring plate on the top. Tighten, and torque to spec.
Repeat process again for the other side.
Luck,
LTR
Other Pictures
Product used:
Before Measurement (ground to center of lip of the wheel well)
After Measurement
Last edited by 99offroadrngr; 10-16-2012 at 04:50 PM.
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