Question about shocks and leaf springs

Well, I kind of did... but didn't spell it out. I mentioned how I opted for a 5" All-Pro rear shackle with the OME Dakars + D43XLs. As I understand the OME's... the D43XL extra leaf do not provide me with any additional lift over the stock Dakars -- they just take more weight. OME Dakar's are supposed to give 2.5" of lift, if memory serves. Standard rear shackles are 4", again, if memory serves. The extra lift one get from a rear shackle is half the difference of the shackle dimension less 4". So, in my case, 1/2 * (5" - 4") = 1/2" additional lift, which, in addition to the OME Dakars 2.5" of lift, should give me 3" of lift in the rear. I hope I got that all correct. It is from memory of text conversations with Adam, sir Box Rocket. I more or less modeled build off his Box Rocket (except I haven't gone and re-located the rear shocks -- heck, I'm still waiting for her to come home with her new frame from the dealership...)

 

Pretty sure they'll give you more lift if you don't weigh it down. They're designed to have the same amount of lift, assuming you have that extra weight in the back. That's really how all add-a-leafs work. Just like the adjustable positions on 5100 shocks: you increase the height by adding preload (stiffer springs).

iirc, my shackles are 5.25" long, eye to eye. and I got roughly an inch, maybe a little less, which sounds about right.

I'm trying to stick to 2.5" total lift, so I'm running with the idea of J59's and my current shackles. The Deavers have more leaves, so I should get a more progressive ride, too. The nice thing about adjustable front coilovers is that it doesn't really matter *that* much what my rear lift will be, as I can adjust the front to match.

 

That will be an upgrade and they are rebuildable. Some people arent a fan of icon shocks cause they are meant to drive well on road and offroad. But if you want to revalve them you can turn them into a great shock. I always recommend reservoirs, but these are a good intro rebuildable shock set up.

 

One month later.. well. OME leafs on the way!

 

Ouch!

 

Hey yall, got my OME leafs coming tomorrow, I want to make this job as quick and easy as possible. Does removing the rear tires make the swap any easier? Got new U Bolts too so I can just sawzall the old ones off if the nuts cant break loose. Already able to break the bolts loose for the leafs. Just wondering if I actually have to take the wheels off. I'd rather not unless it makes the swap much more easier.
Thanks guys

 

Haven’t done it yet myself but can’t imagine it being easier with the wheels still between me and the u-bolts.

 

I'm thinking it may be better if I left them on that way I can lift the truck so the tires are barely on the ground, keeping the shocks from maxing out after I remove the leafs? Not sure. But I guess removing the wheels would only be like 10 mins

 

I think you’re supposed to put the frame on jacks just in front of the wheels and then use a pump jack under the diff to raise/lower the axle as needed for the install. You need to be able to lower the axle to unload the springs so you can unbolt them and raise it to line them up with the shackles.

 

Refer to this thread - Point me right direction suspension advice?

I posted pictures and a quick how-to on leaf spring replacement.

 

I went into this thinking it would he quick and easy.. not so much. Had to cut off the U bolts and the front bolts that hold to spring to the frame, which was a huge pain to cut off and lining up the axle after both leafs were off, a lot of musical jacks happened during the swap. But eventually got it.

Before driver side

Passenger side

Before new leafs


After driver side

Passenger side

After new leafs


The front is now 2.5" lower

Is there anything I would be able to do relatively cheap to pick it up some? It's got 3" lift in the front already.. or anything yall would recommend for it to look better? Maybe chop off the valance (black plastic piece under the bumper that's already busted and basically hanging there)


Ps. It's so much easier to take off the tires when swapping these!

 

You may as well order two CV Axle boot kits right now, the old boots tend to split when you put on a lift.

Or at the very least, do an inspection to see if they're cracked/leaking yet.

 

I swapped CVS maybe a year and a half ago.. I'll keep an eye on it though!