Just aal in rear

Hi all i have a double cab long box with topper sliders and tras skid. My truck sits low in the rear with the added weight. It sits really low when i load up to go camping for a few days. Was wondering if adding a aal and leaving the front stock would be totally out of wack? Was thinking of a progressive 3 leaf with overload out and some 5100s.
Thanks

 

Any form of AAL will be a bandaid. The stock leafs are shit and a full pack replacement will be the best option.

 

I would consider a full pack but seems like it would lift the rear around 2". With the add a leaf they are saying around 1.5" and with my added weight i would think it would be a little less.

 

With the weight of the shell, I’d say that alone would be roughly 1.5” of lift with overload. I’d personally say I would keep the overload in.

The recent trucks we have done have yielded 1.5” - no overload with fresh leafpacks (newer trucks - never hauled yet)

Depending on your final gear weight being carrier, I would definitely recommend a replacement leafpack. It you intend to keep the front at stock height, the Icon RXT would be right up your alley at a “low” lift for the rear. Definitely would be a good idea to switch out the rear shock as well with an aftermarket pack.

 

Would the 5100 be a good shock for the icon rxt pack?

 

Best answer. I know from experience.

 

Ditto. Started with a single AAL. Never again. Such cringe

 

I have the same setup as OP. I just added Sumo Springs in rear and could not be happier. Lifted my rear just enough and no more sag

 

I agree with this... don’t do a single AAL. I do think you could get away with a 3 leaf progressive... BUT your best option would be contacting someone like general spring or deaver and having a custom pack made exactly to your specifications.

 

I love my deavers

 

I need one of those diff decals!

 

I’m not so sure about that. I had 1580 lbs of flooring in the bed. Yes I’m aware it’s more than i should be putting in there. But the stock spring packs were fine, went back to normal with load removed. But with an aftermarket heavy leaf pack my springs look like a “w” and stayed like that. The load that did that was a gas grill, 2 chainsaws, a box of model farm equipment and 2 5 gal jerry cans in the bed with a 18 1000 RZR on a trailer towed. About 5-6 hundred lbs tongue wieght. 2 people could lift the tounge. All told that’s a far cry from 1580. What I’m trying to say is that maybe the stock leaf packs aren’t bad. Maybe just go with a block on the rear.

I’m not confusing the front with the rear capabilities. So don’t argue with me about that. Also, I understand that travel and weight capabilities requirements can be two separate arguments.

 

from my experience with a shell, sliders, rear bumper and running the icon progressive add a leaf with the factory overload for the last 10k, you will maintain factory ride height for a while. that being said, i agree with the others, it most definitely will be a bandaid at best.

 

Single aal. Just sayin'

 

The single AAL is pretty terrible as stated on here. I was in a similar situation and at the time went with Hellwigs rear helper leaf, I had the old style brackets and got frustrated with the fitment. I found out after I added a wheelers single AAL that hellwig makes a new angled u-bolt for 3rd gen rear leafs

Here is what people don't tell you about lifting your rear end... You will most likely need a wedge due to vibrations, that will increase your lift in the rear. I ended up with wheelers single AAL and a wedge and my rear end was in the sky! (23.5-24" hub to fender) Even with lots of weight in the back. I wound up with a full lift (1.5 in the front, which I am happy with) but the single AAL in the rear is still brutal.

Back to your actual question, often a person on here asks about minimal changes to his truck and gets told to get a new everything or $$$ options. That works for some but sounds like the OP doesn't want a full new suspension! Your options without getting a full lift in the future seem to be, sumo springs, Hellwigs (correct brackets), air bags (off road no-no according to most), or full custom leaf pack from Deaver with no lift but added spring rate for your weight.

I just ordered the Archive Garage rear AAL which is an overload design, much different than most, but I have a 1.5 inch lift in the front so this is MY situation. Trying to lower the rear a bit (currently 23.5-24 inches hub to fender), but still handle added weight of camping gear.

Chances are if you go full leaf, single AAL or multi AAL your future will most likely be full lift to level out the front due to adding wedges for vibrations. This is just my experience!! It's a slippery slope and I bet you are not the only one who just wanted a little lift in the back and ended up with a full lift kit

 

Thanks evomike1. Like i said i don't really want a lift but what to go back to about stock before my added weight. I wouldn't mind a little taller than stock but don't want the back clear in the air. The guys that say you don't like aal sounds like you all tried single leaf? Was hopping to get some input from people that have tried 3 leaf without the over load spring in around my same weight.

 

I do like the idea of the rxt pack thanks for bringing it to my attention. Might just have to wait a little longer.

 

This will also likely increase stiffness in the rear. It would be best to find the right balance based on how much weight will be there all the time. I'm opting for progressive AAL so I can maintain some of the stock ride feel.

 

As I posted earlier I had a single aal that broke. As I couldn't find a used set of Deaver J66 springs used (new is out of my budget) I installed a progressive 3 spring aal over the weekend. I got about a 1/2 to 3/4 inch more lift than I had originally. If I had left the stock overload spring out I'm pretty sure I would have ended up exactly where I was with the single aal. The ride is just very slightly stiffer, but I doubt anybody but me would notice the difference. I also think they may have settled just a bit since this picture.

 

Maybe I’m retarded. But where do the wedges go? I’m
Looking to buy a full leaf pack suspension kit as well and want to make sure I get everything correct