5100s 3rd notch & 1.5” AAL

Lots of people leave them in, but all of the 3 leaf AALs I looked at specifically said they were designed to be used without and the overloads in (including the Headstrong that I ended up buying). The overloads will give you an extra .5” lift though if you do leave them in, but I’m not sure if that’s at the cost of ride quality or not.

 

I wanted the additional 1/2" of leaving them in but figured for as cheap as the 1/2" blocks are I would ditch the overloads and keep the weight down

 

Same here, but did jump direct to 275/70r17. Couldn't be happier.

 

Same set up with 1.5" Icon progressive 3 leaf AAL - Sits level with 1.1" 5100 front lift with camping gear. At least 400 pounds in the truck in this pic. 265/75R16 tires.

 

Looks great! Factory coils and your on 3rd circlip or 4th? Thanks!

 

Thanks! I'm on the #3 clip with stock coils.

 

Gotcha! Any rear shims or carrier bearing drop kit? Or just the shocks and the 3 Leaf? Any noises/vibrations? Handles well? Thanks!!!

 

No shims, no bearings - I don't think its needed for 1" front and 1.5" rear lifts from what I've read on here. No vibes, no noises. Falkens kind of very from road to road and can feel weird on the freeway when cold, but I actually raised my PSI from 35 to closer to 40 when on road and they ride better. May try something else next. They are pretty great in the basic off-road/dirt roads I do though. My truck does get Taco lean when its a full tank of gas, but that would be my only "complaint".

 

Gotcha!! Thanks again for your time and input! Good intel on tires also. I’m likely going w/ a Les Schwab product by Mazama. Open Range A/T. Hard to find a bad review of them, aside from price. Also going skinny at 235/85r16. So we’ll see how that rides.

Sorry about ur lean, as u know there are plenty of 1/4” shim options to cure that. I’ve never noticed mine to be leaning… yet.

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p31/HS_1/4"_Top_Plate_Spacer_-_TT05514-TPS.html

 

Honestly, how does the truck/rear ride w/ the 1.5” AAL and an empty bed!? I’ve been told is quite stiff over stock… even that you may need a kidney belt!! Thanks!!

 

Sounds nice. How did u achieve the 1” rear? AAL or a 1” spacer? If AAL, how stiff is the ride compared to stock? Any shims installed in rear? Thanks!!!

 

Ride isn’t to stiff/jarring w/ the 1.5” AAL
and an empty/light bed? Thanks!!

 

Icon 3leaf aal great IMO

 

It really depends on if you get a single leaf AAL or a 3 leaf progressive. The singles are just one very stiff leaf that provides the lift, and they ride harsher because of it (but they’re cheaper than the 3 leaf AALs). The 3 leafs are 3 softer leaves that together provide the lift, and the ride is much smoother. To be honest, I did not feel any significant difference in ride quality before and after I installed my 3 leaf AAL (empty or full bed). It rides very smooth. I have the Headstrong no-cut AAL which you don’t need to cut the shackle off the stock leaf pack as you do with most or all of the other brands… So it was a little less time to install and you also don’t ruin your factory leaf pack if you ever want to return it to stock, so I highly recommend the Headstrong one. It gave me just a hair over 1.5” (about 1.6” with the factory overload leaf removed). Taking the overload out is recommended and will also help make for a smoother ride… or you can leave it in to get 2” of lift, but may have a bit stiffer ride.

 

I have Wheeler's single AAL 1.5" and don't think it made it much stiffer. I also have a Leer canopy though. I like the way it turned out and would but it again from Wheeler.

 

Any pics of this setup/truck please? Apologies if I’ve already asked. Thanks!

-Tom

 

Any pics of this setup/truck please? Apologies if I’ve already asked. Thanks!

-Tom

 

Best one I have from the side showing lift.

 

Thanks! Really looks great, definitely the ride height/stance I’m looking for. Happy to hear it still rides well also, as that is the most important!! Factory coils up front still, correct? Still no issues w/ notch 4? I’ll be running a much skinnier tire, 235/85r16… but what are yours? Thanks and happy holidays!!!

-Tom

 

Thanks. I like the way it turned out so far. Yep stock coils. My tires are 265/75R16 AT2.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Happy Holidays!!