Rear add a leaf questions

I bought third gen coils and shocks and am going to put them on with a 1/4" spacer possibly to even out the lift that an add a leaf gives me, with the spacer should be at 1.5 " give or take .

All this in preparation to beef up the rear with an add a leaf which gives an 1.5 to 2 inch lift , in order to deal with the weight of my roof top tent and camping gear load .

I have 3 questions

1. Do I need longer shocks in the rear with an add a leaf ?

I've read through everything and got mixed answers that I do or do not need extended length

2. Do I need a diff drop with a lift that size

3. Do I require longer u bolts for the add a leaf

I have read through all the answers TW has to offer but the answers seem mixed on all of the questions I have . Someone has to know or is really knowledgeable and can shed some light please

 

This is what my research combined with info from the reps at Wheeler's Off Road told me...

1. Yes, you should get longer shocks for the rear.

2. I was told to install everything first and monitor the fins on my CV axles. Apparently not all trucks with lifts will cause the fins on the CV boots to rub and wear out. If yours show signs of rubbing, you can install the diff drop kit later.

3. I don't think you need longer bolts for the AAL. Maybe you do for a progressive AAL.

 

1.) You should but it's not required, will make the shocks your limiting straps.
2.)NO...
3.)Should be enough thread to add 1 leaf, but Technically no, u-bolts should never be reused, once they have been torqued they stretch and they say you should not reuse them.

 

Get a progressive add a leaf.
Thank me later

 

I just installed a Wheelers single 1.5" AAL a couple weeks ago. Didn't need extended U-bolts. I did a no-no and reused stock u-bolts but have a torque wrench in the truck, set them at 75ft lbs and have rechecked 2x in roughly 500 miles and they've remained at 75 ft lbs. If I had to do it again I'd replace the U-bolts for new ones to be on the safe side.

Currently still have stock shocks on as I'm on a relative budget at the moment. Those will be replaced ASAP for just some plain 5100s most likely.

Diff drops are relatively controversial but there was a thread specific for 2nd gens...I believe started by a mod. Basically consensus was don't waste your money.

I didn't end up going with a progressive AAL, as in my mind an AAL is a budget option anyway, and a progressive 3 leaf AAL is halfway to 2 brand new lift leaf packs, mineswell save up the extra cash at that point.

 

No diff drop!

 

I have Icon 1.5" AAL -Came with the new Ubolts , nuts ,etc.- Stock shocks ,No problem. Also left out the OEM Overload leaves -Rides great on & off road w/ Camper shell & 250 # weight in bed.

 

1 No. You still have the stock springs - no additional droop, longer shocks not needed

2 No. Diff drop is never needed on gen 2

3 You should usually change u bolts when doing this kind of work, but on a 4 year old truck you should be fine if there are enough threads to have several sticking out after install.

 

Ehh, #1 was asking about longer shocks in the rear since hes going with an aal.

 

Thanks for all the responses guys , you've been more than helpful and I appreciate all the info

 

He said springs as in leaf springs so yes he is correct.

 

I know. AAL piggybacks stock springs. No additional droop. No extended lines needed.

 

I must have missed something.

Op asked if he should get longer shocks, not lines for an aal which increases height.
The stock shocks arent lift rated, 5100s cover 1.5" lift.

But ur right about no additional droop with stock shocks as they are gunna be the limiting factor and top out. The stock shocks limit the stock travel alot as is. Im surprised the stock trucks arent popping all the time

 

Thats a great way to top out shocks

 

You're right I typed lines in my second post instead of shocks. I'm not a proponent of the stock shocks regardless of lift or no lift. 5100s aren't "extended" shocks, but they are longer than stock. And I agree that they would be a good choice.

 

Yeah, the stock setup is crap... hops around on any bridge expansion joints or any less than perfectly flat terrain. 5100s seem to help with that.

 

Standard 5100s are only .39 longer than stock so they are not really extended length. The reason you can run them with an AAL is because your not gaining any additional droop, just lift. But yes a longer shock would afford you the ability to have more droop then what stock or a 5100 can handle.