Double add a leaf on one Dakar leaf pack ?

Quick dumb question. I bought the Dakar HD leaf pack. When installed had 1 add a leaf added for weight of camper. I want to add another add a leaf. Bought it got the extra long center bolt. Question is the retainer clips on the existing pack don't look like they have enough room for the add a leaf. What should I do? Thanks

 

I'd be hesitant adding a leaf pack on top of another. Leaf pack might be unstable. You're better off upgrading your leaf springs and using a WDH setup. I'm using AllPro Expedition leaf springs and towing a 3800lb camper with a Reese WDH. Truck is nice and level and feels fine.

 

Wait, the heavy leaf pack, designed for a constant 660 pounds plus variable load on top of that, isn't enough?

How heavy is your truck, man?

 

Don't know i need to get it on the scale. I have heard of others doing this just not about clips

 

Maybe I did not get the HD originally can't remember but pretty sure I did. It worked ok. Added the add a leaf. Still ok just wanted better ride without a custom pack from somewhere I feel like I'm still to close to bump stops

 

Are you using a weight distribution hitch?

 

No this is just for camper on truck trailer weighs nothing

 

If a clip from an AAL overlaps a clip from the original pack, one of them needs to be removed via angle grinder, as long as all leaves in the reassembled pack can still be safely retained with the remaining clips.

However, if you're maxing out the height of the clip, you need a new pack. There's no safe way around that.

 

So what I hear is I can't get a bigger clip? Could I take a leaf out and replace with the add a leaf for weight? Wish I could find the post on who did this with their vagabond drifter as that's where I got this idea. Anybody see that post or know what I'm talking about.

 

You would be surprised how it escalates. Looks like he had a 4 wheel camper or similar plus other goods. I ended up with a semi custom heavy duty Deaver pack. After my HD were not up to the task.

 

I personally wouldn't look for a bigger clip unless I had the proper tools to replace the rivet that holds them in place. Mixing matching leaves should theoretically be ok, but I don't know how how much that will help. Give it a shot, it might actually work.

Personally I would consider airbags as my band-aid fix until I could figure out how to get a custom pack made.

 

hmm thanks for this guys i wish i new what this other guy did i might just hold tight as its working now just want it better. custom pack from alcan in GJ in my ultimate goal once the build out is done and i have a total weight figured out. this was temporary

 

Sumo Springs.

 

I've run open OME HD+2 packs on the land cruiser for years and it has not had a gentle life with me. We did that a lot for more articulation in the day. Open packs and no swaybars are a good time. Looking at my '10's HD+1 pack, I could add another without interfering with the pin (wtf?) across the top of the retainer. The Cruiser's are bolts. You could also just weld a cap to give more clearance if you're worried about a leaf escaping, but I honestly don't see how that would happen unless the center pin fails, and you're much more likely to break a leaf than a center pin going.

I'm not advocating anything against whatever safety lawyers from a mfr would want. I'm just saying what I did.

I would avoid modifying any of the spring steel components. It is very hard material. I assume this is true for rivets as well.

 

Thanks everyone probably gonna give up on this just deal. Wait till build is done with final weight and get custom pack as the single add works just not as well as I wanted

 

Have you considered air bags to pick up the slack?

 

Yes but since I want custom packs in the end and this was a band aid for this summer before I can get final weight figured out I did not think that airbags were my band aid more of a permanent solution thought I try the double add a leafs. Good idea though. I even thought of the hellwig overload springs as an option.

Actually any body have thoughts on the hellwig overload springs as an option

 

Curious to see what you find out. I have a buddy with a drifter on order who is planning on running standard Dakar HD(7 leafs).

For clarification, you are currently running a Dakar HD pack(7 leafs)+ an add a leaf making it a 8 leaf pack. You are wondering if you can safely add a 9th leaf?

 

Yes this is exactly what I'm trying to do. The 8 pack does work with just the camper. Even loaded down with the trailer I'm ok on the highway and don't hut bumps but it could be better.

I also have max coupler hitch for wheeling if that makes a difference

 

That good to know. Any idea how much your camper weighs? I think my friends drifter will be rough 450lbs before the interior build out. I'm also building a custom camper right now. Hoping I can get away just adding a 8th leaf to my Dekars.