Wheelers Progressive AAL Install Issue Solved

So I just put OME 885x's w/ 5100's at 0" in the front with 5100's in the rear and the Wheelers 1.5" Progressive AAL. Got everything installed smoothly up front and then came the AAL. Install wasnt difficult but I ran into a problem. The factory leaf hanger was resting up against the new hanger for the AAL and the factory hanger was also wedged on the AAL which wasnt allowing the bolt for the new hanger to go through as seen in the pictures. Called wheelers and Dan was very helpful. He told me that some trucks for some reason which he hasn't figured out have the factory hanger in a different spot causing this issue. So he told me to grind the rivet head off the bottom of the hanger then use something like a crowbar to spread the hanger open and pull it off. Once that was done the AAL hanger popped up and the bolt went right in. Overall excellent product that rides great, great price, outstanding customer service and overall an awesome buying experience. Ive dealt with wheelers several times before and always pleased. Thanks again guys







And how the truck sits after it all...

 

^ Nice! I've got the same setup. Are you 6 leafs total or 7 total? What are your rear shocks? stock 22.9"by14" 5100's? < that's what im running with the shock extender from toytec because I was maxxing them out extended. Now I'm running http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=KU09037BK because the shock extender made my shock bottom out 1 inch before the bumpstop touched (did some measuring).

~M

 

7, have the 4 leaf pack plus the AAL 3 pack

 

^ gotcha.

 

truck looks good man. just realized how similar our builds are

 

so would you typically run with both hangars or does the factory one come out anyway?

 

typically you'd run both but for my application I had to ditch the factory one.

 

ok. glad you posted this as i just started a thread last night looking for info on this setup. thanks!

 

No problem man. I searched for it and couldnt find an answer so I hope this helps someone.

 

Love my wheelers AAL!

 

my truck did not have any issues with stock hangars like above. My theory is that TSB packs have that hanger bracket in the spot where OP had issues, where as non TSB packs have the bracket spaced out farther since there are only 2 leafs not including the overload. Sports come with 4 leafs and Off Roads come with 3 leafs from what I can gather.

@757, they are pretty close Do you have any near future plans? I have a set of gunmetal konig countersteers due to go on this week. Super pumped about them!

Cheers,

~M

 

ehh not really. Im leaving for coast guard boot camp in two weeks so ill be without it for a few months eventually i want some sliders for sure. im sure the addiction will never end. Those wheels are gonna look sick man. Post pics when you get them!

 

Yea, there will be pictures. I'll try to remember and get a build thread going soon...

"welcome to tacomaworld, sorry about your wallet" applies heavily here.

Good luck at boot man!

~M

 

thanks man

 

I had the exact same issue, wish I would have found this post before the ordeal. Here's the link to my solution. Depending on the tools you have, grinding that rivet off can be a PITA! Cheers

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wheelers-3-leaf-aal-issue-with-install.443667/#post-12922543

 

What is everyone running for rear shocks with the overload in? Marie at headstrong told me it was ok to run the standard 5100's which have the same specs as the stock bilsteins. So for now I have the stockers in there but I'm sure they won't do to well with any kind of rough road or off roading.

 

Sorry to bring up an older post that already has a solution, also I have a 2nd Gen, But my issue is the same. I'm wondering why you must remove the factory bracket. I'll include picture's of my wheelers AAL, you'll see that the leaf rests on the rivet and the bracket on the AAL rests very close to the factory one which you've described as a problem. My ride quality is great now, no issues so far from what I can tell.

So, what issues will occur if I don't remove the factory bracket?

 

I'd imagine you're running a real risk of stressing/cracking that leaf. It's sitting at an awkward angle.

Icon instructions specifically mention removal of the stock spring clip in step #5. https://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/I51100_REVA.pdf

 

Understood, thank you.

 

Here's a photo of mine with the stock spring clip removed.