Add-a-leaf advice request

So after I added a camper shell and my tools to my truck's bed, it's evident that I want/need an add-a-leaf. I watched 4 install videos and saw a half-dozen-or-so kits on Amazon and Ebay. It appears I have enough thread-length on my existing U-bolts, but I know enough to know I might know enough. I have moderate mechanical-skill...and a friend has several big C-clamps to lend me. How can I screw this up or hurt myself? The vids warn to watch out getting whacked when releasing tension but don't seem to show exactly what the just-before-Oh-Fudge moment looks like. The vids also give advice on leaf-realignment hassles. Which brands might be best to avoid or best to purchase?

 

not sure if they are in stock but @Headstrong has their version - 3 leaf progressive. Easier to install but still have to go through same steps with oem arch release. JMO.

 

Just do an whole leaf pack way easier than AAL. Will last longer too

 

Once the c clamp is on and you take the pin out, slowly undo the clamp to release the tension. It's not difficult and only surprises you'll get is, if you use a defective or broken clamp.
It's a bitch to put in when the pack is on the truck.... do one side at a time and when you remove the center pin, replace it with a screwdriver to keep them in line.
Much easier, if you have 2 people and you pull the leaves from the hangers. The leaf will slides right in as the pack can be laid on its side, then tighten clamp, insert center pin and put back on the truck.

 

You’ve got three options: a single aal, a 3 leaf progressive aal, or a replacement leaf pack.

With a single AAL you can reuse the stock u-bolts. They are supposed to handle constant heavy loads better than a 3 leaf. I’m happy with my Tuff Country single 2” aal, the Deaver single is great too.

With a 3 leaf you should get a smoother ride but they don’t add as much spring rate so they don’t handle the weight as well as a single. You’ll need new u bolts, should come with the kit. Most folks go with @HeadStrong Off-Road or Icon or Wheelers, they’re all comparable and good.

A replacement leaf pack is best of all because it’s built for both extra weight and better ride, and replaces the OE springs instead of supplementing them.

The only “oh shit” moments I can think of are when you take the clamps off after removing the centering bolt, and when you release tension after clamping it all back together. Just go slow and you’ll be fine, don’t undo the clamps with an impact wrench or something too fast so the release is controlled.

 

1.5 AAL, 9 inch U-bolts and 3 degree shims with longer center pins and you’ll be good to go...I would replace the factory u-bolts with new as the threads on factory are cold rolled.

 

The important thing is that you remove the leaf retaining nut while the leaves are clamped, and open the clamps slowly afterwards. When reinstalling, line pin up and clamp leaves before reinstalling the retaining nut, and after tightening the nut bolt the U bolts down. I think the safest option is to get new U bolts because I've read that after they've been tightened down the threads flex a little from the tension, making it harder for them to hold tightly after repeated uses.

 

Cold rolled?

 

Installed the

$213 Icon 51100 ICON Vehicle Dynamics 1.5" Lift Rear Expansion Pack

Icon 51100 this weekend.

Some great videos out there, but the Icons I received no longer require cutting off the factory clip.

You will need to cut off the excess pin bolt to get the rubber bumper on.

Here is some advice.

1x floor jack for truck
1x floor jack for the diff
14MM socket.
14MM ratcheting wrench
Deep 7/8 or 22MM socket for Ubolts
Angle grinder or cut off wheel to cut pin bolt.
2x C-clamps
Discard overload springs.
Get 2.5" wide 3 degree shims.

Good video, but again the version I received appears to be updated to no longer require the cutting of the clip.

https://youtu.be/EIAcQEMDtx8

 

So the new icon aal no longer need cutting off the factory leaf clip? This is great news, been waiting for headstrong's aal for so long now.

 

When I upgraded my OME leaf pack to HD, I was surprised by how nonviolent the c-clamp release was. I kept waiting for it to "pop" and it never did, just slowly came apart. Hardest part for me was getting the holes realigned, and the heavy lifting to get the new pack in place. I highly recommend removing them from the vehicle to install, despite the weight.

 

It was a happy surprise for sure. Not sure when it started.

 

Watch out for the axle walking away.
I took me some time to push it back in place to align. It was like 1 inch off , but it was a royal pain in the ass. So when I started other side, I put a strap and ratcheted just about tight to hold it in place and the installation went pretty fast.

 

Depending on your location you might be able to go to a spring shop. I had a custom AAL made and they reshaped my existing leafs. The price was very comparable to the off the shelf options and they added in a long spring in the middle of the pack so it rides great. I was in a similar boat with my shell + decked system.

 

Thank you - this explains a lot.

Quick question. Can you recommend a specific replacement leaf pack for a stock 2018 SR DCSB 4x4; one that would not raise it up? Ideally, i would like to retain existing height and be able to handle the extra weight while keeping ride comfortable. Is that all even possible?
Thanks much in advance.

 

is the 3 degree shim necessary? planning to do the torch add a leaf and just a carrier bearing spacer. 265/70r17 will be the tire size.

 

Do it right the first time. I did a single leaf, 3 leaf progressive, and am now on real springs.

 

have you had to add any shims throughout those experiences? I noticed these rear sport springs of mine sag a lot with 3 kids in the back and need something budget friendly to help overcome it because most of the time it is only me in the truck but I do occassionally use this truck to take us camping and mall cruising almost every weekend. I was hoping the add a leaf which claims to give me 1.5-2" of lift would help support the factory leaves better when the truck is loaded but not give off too harsh of a ride. I recently only installed a pair of 0-1.5" Eibach Pro Truck Sport shocks to the rear and was suprised at how well the truck handles now. I have 2" spacers up front on the factory Hitachi sport struts and 1" blocks in the rear. I did do the front diff drop, carrier bearing spacers, the East Coast Gear Supply clamshell bushing replacement on the LF differential, and personally aligned it myself to make sure everything was zeroed in and it rides great besides not having a rake or riding leveled when it is loaded with the family.

 

No shims for me. 99% of the time I have about 160lbs in or on the bed so my rake isn't quite as pronounced. I highly recommend you just go straight to the springs of your choice. The 3 leaf progressive will sag and the singles AAL may snap in my experience.

 

back to the drawing board. thanks a lot for the advice.