AAL = bouncy, harsh ride?

I’m reading lots of comments saying the AAL made the ride too bouncy. Is this mainly due to leaving the overload spring in or riding on mostly an empty bed?

I ride mostly empty and currently running the trd lift with 1 inch block. I’m thinking of adding .5 of rake. Should I replace the block with a 1.5? Or go with a 1.5 aal?

 

The best route would be a whole new leaf pack, cheapest route would be bigger blocks

 

add a leaf and you probbly need longer rear shocks

 

Cant afford a full leaf pack. AALs aren’t much more than blocks though.

hmm, I thought 1.5” on 5100’s was pretty common. Is there a risk of bottoming out?

 

In that case, blocks would ride better than an AAL in my opinion without additional weight in the bed. I wouldn't be worried about bottoming out, more so over extending your rear struts

 

From a mechanical perspective, it would best be explained by the spring rate changing while the damper (shocks) remain unchanged. If the spring/damper system is well tuned originally, the AAL would make it underdamped and the system would oscillate too much, aka it would be bouncy.

Also, a higher spring rate would mean that at rest with no load in the bed, you would not be sitting in the middle of the extension range for the shocks. It would be easier to reach max extension of the shocks.

 

Everything thing you say makes sense to me, however I think the term “bouncy” has lost its common meaning on this form. I think people use it as a synonym of harsh as opposed to bouncy like a ball.

I chalk this up to be caused by kids not playing with super balls and pogo sticks anymore.

My take on it, is that adding an AAL increases the stiffness of the leaf spring and increased the harshness of the ride quality if additional weight is not also added. The relative lack of damping is a possible secondary issue, as I guess trucks come over damped from the factory in order to carry a payload.

 

Exactly, the higher spring rate requires more force to flex the same distance as stock springs, so that translates to a harsher ride with stock truck weight.

 

Stock leafs gotta go. Stressed as is from factory. AAL or full replacement pack asap

 

More springs mean more rigid, its firm and can ride really rough without weight, that said some like it.

You don't really need shocks unless you want to take advantage of the down travel.

I'd suggest a 1.5" progressive AAL to help resist the inevitable sag. Sell the blocks for 20$-40$

My biggest complaint about stiffer springs without weight is gravel roads and washboard, I find it more likely to step out.

 

But the AAL will sag too eventually. Does it matter which AAL? Icon or Headstrong? And are AAL's better for preventing axle wrap?

 

Yes, but 1" blocks don't really make noticeable axle wrap, its generally accepted that they are ok to use.

Everyone has varying experiences with AAL, but I prefer the icon progressive 1.5"

Because your springs aren't new anymore, the AAL will have less life and effectiveness, but it will still provide lift and less sag with load.

Personally I'd stay with the block and change to a heavier leaf spring down the road.

 

Save your money, don't make a rushed purchase just cause that is what you can afford today. Call Deaver or Alcan and explain your needs to them get a quote and see how far away from having the right fix for your issues it may not be as far out of reach as you think. Also most larger cities have a spring works company with a good reputation you may find a really good deal that way.

 

I have an AAL, can’t remember the exact measurement but it’s at least 1” taller. But I do think the bumpy ride mainly comes with an empty bed.

Around two weeks ago, I took a round trip of approximately 450+ miles. With the first half I had the bed loaded with a heavy dresser that weighed a good 100+lbs.

The ride to my family’s was much nicer than the ride back home. Truck felt more planted and it was less tiring to drive. Idk if that makes sense to y’all but it did feel more comfortable and seamless if a drive.

I even got great range of a single tank with roughly 380 miles to empty by the time I got to my destination. The drive back I had worse range showing. Though that’s likely due to other factors.

I don’t have the overload on my pack. It was taken out when the AAL was installed. Maybe start there. Or maybe load up your bed with a good dresser lol

 

My toytec AAL was $90 & I left the overload in. Its perfect for my truck & Leer shell. I did get longer rear shocks. I also bought a set of OEM leafs from a 2015 OR with less than 40k miles for $50