Wheelers 5-pack + AAL?

Who has this setup? I am considering getting the AAL, and I'd like to hear feedback about how it handles, and I hope how it tows. Stance pics loaded and unloaded from the side would be great.

My deal: I've had a Wheeler's 5 pack for a few years. I also have a cap and rubber bed mat in there, adding about ~150-200 lbs full time. They're sagging a tad now.

Now I am towing a small trailer with minimal toungue weight, but usually I also have a full bed of various camping stuff at the same time. This is giving me a slight bro stance when configured like this, and the weight and balance is not ideal. Plus this makes the headlights aim high a bit.



I just tried adding Hellwig 550s for an easier, cost-effective solution. Won't fit for various reasons, non-starter.

Now I am considering the AAL, but I am concerned it will be too high when empty. (1.5-in 5-pack plus 1.5 AAL, is it really 3 inches?)

If I don't go for an AAL, I gues next option would be Dakar. That may be ideal, but do I really want to bust out cash for another pack...

EDIT: BTW, 881s in front, 265/70/16s

 

I'm running the 5 pack and aal with a camper top and a bed mat. I also have around another 40 lbs with tools and recovery gear

Hope this gives you some idea

Edit: almost forgot the basket and lights (30 more lbs.)

 

...and armor/sliders... Thanks. OK, so you are running 883s (I have 881s), and those tires almost look stock size 265/70/16? or 75?

 

I loved mine with the AAL 5pack and 1" lift shackles. Eibachs up front





With my lawn trailer




Still run the same setup but added another beefier leaf.

Flexes great too.

I say go for it.

 

IIRC, Blackdawg has the 5 pack with their aal.

Edit: Haha beat me to it..

 

LOL i never considered the armor. Yes they are 265/70/16, got the F-5's a couple of weeks and have waaaaay too much life left in the tires to get 285's

 

I will probably be adding the Wheelers AAL in a couple months as soon as I take care of my front brakes and get my sliders on. The 5-pack just can't quite handle what I throw at it..

 

Hey Scott,

Don't know if this helps you, but I added the Wheelers 3-pack AAL to my stock leaves (removed the overload). At the same time, I installed the adjustable Bilsteins (at 1.75" setting) to the front. This is what it looks like.


I also added a 150-lb Tonneau

Recognize those wheels?

 

any update OP ?

 

Oh hey. Thanks for the bump. I kinda forgot about this. Been very busy with house hunting the last couple weeks, so I haven't had time to do squat, including attempting to return the Hellwigs...

Thanks for everyone's input so far. Keep it coming.

 

Weird, I have a virtually identical truck and setup pulling a similar camper. I have the same issues: when loaded to camp, it rides a little low in the back. Good info on the Hellwig setup, glad I didn't pick those up myself. I've been contemplating an airbag setup. I'll be keeping a close eye here for any options.

 

You guys just need to AAL..it's cheap..works great..easy to install

 

never hurt to put on aal and will help when you throw stuffs in the bed.

 

I'd put in the aal and call it good. I have dakars with their AAL and it rides great. haven't towed with it yet though. I always have a bunch of weight in the bed, not counting my topper.

 

They'd affect (reduce) flex/uptravel I think. I also thought of Timbrens. But yeah, I think the AAL route is probably the way to go.

 

Pppffft. do you even flex, bro

Of course I'm not hardcore. I only have 20 lbs of extra wires in my truck...

But there have been times when I needed every inch. Plus we leave the trailer at camp and go head up old mining roads...

 

Actually, it's funny you mention the locker. My pic above was right after I removed the sway bar, and I was testing how it affected low-speed traction, as it were.... The pic shows the truck at the exact point at which I lost rear pass. rear traction because of front travel limit, so had I been going up a trail, this is the point of switching on the locker.

 

So I went ahead and ordered the Wheelers AAL along w/ a rear extended brake line yesterday. will report back my results.

Will I need new Ubolts? mine are about 12 months old and in decent shape

then I'l prob need to shocks too...

 

I'd buy new ubolts. They're reletively cheap so you might as well. Even if your old ones are long enough I would still replace them.

 

If you already have a 5-pack, I doubt you would need shocks, but depends on the travel of the shcoks you have. Sorry, I didn't look at your spec. I would get new U bolts too, just because when torqued they can stretch, and it is sort of a critical component. Holding the axle on and all...

Please report back, TIPI. I have not even had time to look into this farther; I suddenly got into an escrow on a new house, so I won't be doing jack all to the truck anytime soon except changing the oil and loading tones of crap into it to move.

EDIT: OK, just realized you are running Nitrochargers. So am I. Def. report back on shock length, please!