PTR13-35150 - Bilstein TRD PRO kit - Upgrade??

Did the skyjacker instructions explicitly state that the OL should be left in place?

 

You guys that are grinding a rivet-- is that to install the HS 3 leaf AAL?

Are there other aal's that do not require removing the rivet?

 

I think I had to leave the OL leaf in place for my application since I added a single leaf on both sides with no brackets on the new leaf and it isn't long enough to reach the ones that others are having to cut and grind. The OL leaf has the U shaped open factory bracket (the one that is not folded over from the factory) which the new leaf I installed sits on top of the OL leaf using the open U bracket to keep it straight. I don't see how you would install what I did without leaving the OL leaf. Worked out perfectly for my application since I didn't plan to remove the OL leaf anyway.

Notice the leaf that I added is right above the OL leaf and doesn't reach the rear folded over factory clamp but the open clamp on the right which is riveted to the OL leaf is what my new leaf and the other leaves are sitting in to keep everything lined up. This is why I didn't have to grind or cut anything since it doesn't reach those closed clamps like other AAL do I think.

 

So the guys that are grinding... their 3leaf AAL is extending to the bracket, so they remove the bracket... does that bracket then need to be replaced with something to hold the pack together?

 

The new 3 leaf AAL has brackets on both ends.

 

So what are they doing to the upper leaves that have the brackets cut off? Is a new bracket added?

 

That I don't know but I am sure they have to do something for brackets and they could answer that better than I could. I just know it sounds like what I did was simple compared to some of the "you tube" vids I watched.

Here's what I did:

1. Jack stands as high as you can so rear tires are about 5 or 6 inches (you need this when you drop the diff down on each side to work on the leaf pack) above the ground without anything supporting differential (diff just hanging no jack under it yet). Now use small floor jack as insurance and to raise and lower differential too. I left my floor jack under the center of diff to raise and lower diff as I did each side didn't have to move it from side to side or anything and it is a bit of insurance for the jack stands that way.
2. Dropped spare tire down for more room.
3. One side at a time I removed diff U bolts, lower shock bolt, and two brake line bracket bolts (so it wouldn't overstretch the brake line) lowered diff so leaf pack exposed.
4. Used two c clamps to hold leaf packs together while I removed center leaf pack bolt nut that is under the OL rubber bumper. Slowly unscrewed c clamps to slide in new leaf.
5. Lined up center hole for new included leaf pack bolt used clamps to bring the pack back together while feeding the new center bolt through.
6. Finish by putting diff U bolts and brake brackets back in reverse order from above and raising diff to help. Torque everything. Done then do other side the same way watching brake lines but unbolting brackets are easy to free it up.

I didn't grind, cut (except top of new center bolt for leaf pack which is under the rubber OL bumper - new ones usually need to be cut to length after you tighten nut for rubber bumper to sit on it), remove any tires except spare for room, or even loosen the end leaf pack bolts. The steps above is all I did exactly.

Below green arrows show the "open" OL leaf U shaped bracket and the leaf I added for another view:

 

The new AAL pack has brackets on either end that holds the OEM leafs in place. In the pic below you can see them just outside of the OL brackets. These are the HS 3-leaf, not sure of other brands.

 

you see that square Teflon pad on the overload! did the aal come with one to reduce rubbing and squeaking noise?

 

My Icon kit was the same way.

 

So to all you guys that have done the 3 leaf pack, did you put anything in between the leafs? I just got the Deaver 3 leaf pack and there is nothing between the bottom 2 leafs so I was thinking about putting something in there like those liners I've seen before.

 

I have the Baja version, winch bumper and Smittybilt winch (see signature), and no sag.

 

With regard to worries about the needle bearing, my dealer said that there was no warranty issues especially since these kit are a Toyota part.

 

Yeah, I bought from Rogue and got them in a week, but there were cheaper then.

 

Think he had a kit or two he saved laying around. He sent me a message and told me I could get one if i wanted. Happy birthday to me, i figured they were all gone and was about to buy true 6112/5160s

 

I just put a layer of grease on them and called it good. No squeaks, no issues.

 

I called and spoke with Brian with Skyjacker, he said the RTC515 is the only AAL they offer for 2016+ tacomas. also, I asked him about the overload he said to keep it in!
i like that i dont have to grind anything with this set up but i really only wants 1.5 max in the back! still can't make up my mind.

 

First, your other question was squeaking and mine doesn't squeak at all. I didn't even grease them. Second you will probably get somewhere between 1.5 and 2 like the box from skyjacker says. Mine was "about" 2 from where it was from the factory. Yours may be closer to the 1.5 like the box states.

 

I'm ok with 1.5 ima have to give it a shot! My original leafs are riding on the overload and squeaking bad, I'm taking it tomorrow for the squeaky tsb but they said they won't do nothing about the leafs going flat! So I'm thinking I need that single aal to help them a bit! Planing on installing everything this weekend

 

Cool. Good luck.

Just an idea....If you already have squeaking then I would probably do the lite coating of grease idea and I would check with the dealership or online before you install the weekend to see if they sell the little pads that go in between (just sits in between and the center bolt goes through them). Mine had some of those from the factory so they must sell them. I saw them between the other leafs because I had to line them up as I fed the center bolt through. Looked like rectangle pieces of tin to me but I do recall that. The one I added sits on the OL which seemed like it had something made on but I don't think I put anything between the AAL and the leaf above it but I don't have any squeaks.