Installing Wheelers 3-leaf AAL - question?

I'm tackling the rear end on Sunday (trucks, beer, and football!). (thanks to Chris4x4's excellent write up) I was going through all the parts doing a pre-installation inventory making sure I have all that I need for my modest 1-1/2 inch lift thats going on the truck this weekend.

In the wheelers parts bag, there are 4 black circular plastic pieces with compression clips on one side that look like they fit into the end of each leaf - now I can make assumptions and say that I think its a spacer that goes on the top of the leaf, one on each corner as a spacer/anti-friction kind of thing, but I hate to assume. Anyone install the 3-leaf kit have any pictures of the packs installed, or any install tips??

Thanks!


Installed pictures below!

 

The black disks are the anti friction pads.
You're correct on that one .

 

Remove that back part(clamp?) on the stock leaf pack.
The friction pad is suppose to sit on/under the other leaf.

 

So the picture above is mostly right with the black anti-friction spacers installed correctly, but the original spring clamps on the ends should be removed? I'm thinking about leaving the overload spring on, to maintain the weight capacity while gaining the lift in the rear.

Thanks for info.

 

I hope you know that will give you a little more lift.....

 

It will also max out the rear shocks.
You'll have about zero down travel.

 

Yes,

 

by leaving on the overload spring - how much higher will that make me sit, I only wanted 1-1/2 inch so if its a problem I will leave it off. I will admit I'm getting slightly cold feet about the lift because of all the vibration issues (front diff bearing) people are complaining about after the lift. I know the majority of people who post post because of problems and we hear all too often from the ones with the problems than with no problems at all but I am nervous about interfering with the reliability of my taco.

 

Buy leaving it on,you'll have almost 2.5" of lift in the back.

 

While installing the new leafs, should I grease in between the leafs, I don't have a squeaking problem now, but if its as simple as putting a little grease on the leafs while they are apart to help maintain a squeak free life then I want to do that.

 

Also, how do those metal spring clamps that are one the leaf spring come off? Do they need to be cut off or what?

 

Thanks chris, what about the grease idea? Good or a waste of time?>

 

Alright heading down to my fathers house to use his garage for the rear AAL install plus new 5100's. Any last words of wisdom/advice? The front 5100's are getting installed tomorrow morning as well as an alignment by the dealership down the road.

Thanks to all for the help.

 

Before



After:




Here it is installed! So glad I did it myself. Nothing hard about it at all. Gained about 2" inches of lift - non tsb leafs + wheelers 3 leaf AAL + overload spring.

I did not need to cut off those outer spring clamps they pose no interference for spring operations. The carrier bearing could use a 1" inch drop to lesson the angle but I took it for a test drive up to 50 mph and so far so smooth - the 5100's plus the AAL ride great! The front gets done tomorrow morning! Also thinking breaded SS rear break lines that are a little longer ar not too far off in the future.

Some numbers:

non tsb-leaf pack with 3 leaf progressive AAL with Overload left on on a 08 Double cab.

before: | After
37 1/8 | 39 1/4 passenger side rear
36 3/4 | 38 7/8 Drivers side rear

 

Are 5100's long enough to run with the Wheelers 3-leaf AAL's with overload spring? I'm thinking about putting my overload on with my AAL's to gain some more height in back, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that 5100's would be maxxed out with no down travel to spare. Would it be better to run 5125's if I use the overload?