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AAL Help!!!

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by MarineCadence, Apr 28, 2009.

  1. Apr 28, 2009 at 4:28 PM
    #1
    MarineCadence

    MarineCadence [OP] Member

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    I'm in the middle of installing my Toytec AAL. I have the axle on the stands, and when lifting the rear, I can't seem to lift it high enough to get the 2-3 inches of space to install the AAL. Anyone have any suggestions? I've tried adding blocks to the floor jack...help!

    Just to add...I am following the AAL Sticky completely....author states to lift the rear at the receiver.
     
  2. Apr 28, 2009 at 4:31 PM
    #2
    FlawedXJ

    FlawedXJ mall crawlin', web wheelin', concrete cowboy

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    I actually have a jeep now. Imagine that.
    i had the exact same problem and just gave up. tried 3 different times, still couldn't do it. I had 6 blocks of wood stacked up and still a no go.
     
  3. Apr 28, 2009 at 4:55 PM
    #3
    MarineCadence

    MarineCadence [OP] Member

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    Just gave it another try....tried to lift it in different places....I'm at a loss....can't figure it out!!
     
  4. Apr 28, 2009 at 4:59 PM
    #4
    archerytarget

    archerytarget BTHOB

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    i dont understand..how is it not going high enough?
     
  5. Apr 28, 2009 at 5:10 PM
    #5
    MarineCadence

    MarineCadence [OP] Member

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    I don't know....I'm only getting maybe one inch of seperation. Maybe my stock leafs are just completely shot???? I've tried everything. I'll try and take a picture real quick if I can.
     
  6. Apr 28, 2009 at 5:17 PM
    #6
    badguybuster

    badguybuster Well-Known Member

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    No, it is a very common problem when doing this MOD. I actually put the truck on jack stands and THEN jacked up the leaf pack at the back. After that just slip in the AAL and you are set. Also, watch out for any shifting of the axle or you will have a helluva time getting the leaf bolt back into its proper spot.
     
  7. Apr 28, 2009 at 5:23 PM
    #7
    MarineCadence

    MarineCadence [OP] Member

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    Leave the jack stands under the axle and then jack up the LEAFS? Where exactly would you put the jack...excuse my ignorance. This is my first time at this...going on 4 hours now. Still on first side :(
     
  8. Apr 28, 2009 at 5:27 PM
    #8
    badguybuster

    badguybuster Well-Known Member

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    Put it right under the leaf pack right behind where the bottom leaf is. This will lift the rest of them off of it, allowing you to place your AAL into the pack. At least, that is how I did mine and it worked like a charm.


    Legal note: I am not responsible for any damage you do to your truck, your friends or your self.:D
     
  9. Apr 28, 2009 at 5:28 PM
    #9
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    You should have the truck supported by Jack stands in the rear. Just before the leaf springs.
    Look in these pics:
    Jack stands on the frame, then use the floor jack to move the rear axel.
     
  10. Apr 28, 2009 at 6:05 PM
    #10
    FlawedXJ

    FlawedXJ mall crawlin', web wheelin', concrete cowboy

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    I actually have a jeep now. Imagine that.
    another one of the problems i ran into

    would like to see some pictures using this method if anyone knows where to find them. I've tried 4 times now. I've got it to the point where i can do everything but install the leaves in about 25 minutes and reassemble in about 20. not something cool to be good at when all your trying to do is the middle step.
     
  11. Apr 28, 2009 at 6:09 PM
    #11
    badguybuster

    badguybuster Well-Known Member

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    I was able to push mine back into place after cussing and screaming at it for about 2 hours. I wish I had some pics of the installation but I surely don't. As I said, the way I did it worked for me. I suppose you could remove the rear wheel and then lower the truck down as far as you can and still use the jack stands. That would give you more room to lift the leaf pack. (hopefully) Listen to Chris4x4, he knows his stuff.
     
  12. Apr 28, 2009 at 6:11 PM
    #12
    FlawedXJ

    FlawedXJ mall crawlin', web wheelin', concrete cowboy

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    I actually have a jeep now. Imagine that.
    getting mine back in wasn't a pain at all. But you didn't remove the rear wheels?
     
  13. Apr 28, 2009 at 6:33 PM
    #13
    MarineCadence

    MarineCadence [OP] Member

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    Well...it's in. What I ended up doing (after trying every possible jack stand/lift) was taking ratchet straps around the leafs to the frame and pulling the leafs up. Should have thought of it before. Was done in 10 minutes. Couldn't believe some of the monsterous jack configuations I was thinking of....talking dangerous:eek:

    Quick question for anybody...I have a slight gap between the AAL and the next higher leaf on the ends of the AAL...will that settle...or should there even be a gap?
     
  14. Apr 28, 2009 at 6:35 PM
    #14
    FlawedXJ

    FlawedXJ mall crawlin', web wheelin', concrete cowboy

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    I actually have a jeep now. Imagine that.
    great idea!
     
  15. Apr 28, 2009 at 6:43 PM
    #15
    RelentlessFab

    RelentlessFab Eric @Relentless Fab Vendor

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    Wow guys! I can't believe that so many people are having these kind of issues with that step. It was really simple for me when I did the writeup and other times in the past. To clarify, I had to put 2 pieces of 2x6 scrap wood on top of the jack to get it high enough, but that was it. Maybe my jack stands were smaller and held the axle lower or my jack lifted higher too? I even had a 1" block to fit under the axle as well and still worked fine:confused:
     
  16. Apr 28, 2009 at 6:45 PM
    #16
    FlawedXJ

    FlawedXJ mall crawlin', web wheelin', concrete cowboy

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    I actually have a jeep now. Imagine that.
    i used six blocks of wood and had typical sized jackstands. still cant do it. I'll try the tie downs thursday and will take pictures if it works.
     
  17. Apr 28, 2009 at 6:48 PM
    #17
    RelentlessFab

    RelentlessFab Eric @Relentless Fab Vendor

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    Hmmm. Well good luck and sorry for the issues. To give an idea of the height my jack lifts to, after setting the axle on the jack stands the jack without any blocks would *almost* lift the rear off the stands. Its a good sized and pretty expensive jack; it lifts pretty high. Its definitely not one of the little cheap-o ones you get at autozone or somthin. :cool:
     
  18. Apr 28, 2009 at 6:55 PM
    #18
    Toy4Life

    Toy4Life 668: The Neighbor of the Beast

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    You should have jack stands under the frame rails and the jack under the axle. Once the leaf springs are unbolted, you can raise and lower the axle with the jack. Unless they've changed it radically, you unbolt and completely remove the leaf springs, so you should have as much space as necessary.
     
  19. Apr 28, 2009 at 6:56 PM
    #19
    SC4333

    SC4333 Well-Known Member

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    I think the jack stands might be the key. I used a pair of 3 ton jack stands when I put in my AAL and didn't have a problem. My first attempt was with a pair of 6 ton jacks (about 2 inches taller) and it a no-go.
     
  20. Apr 28, 2009 at 6:58 PM
    #20
    RelentlessFab

    RelentlessFab Eric @Relentless Fab Vendor

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    I think so too. My dad had 2 different sets.... I chose the smaller set. I think they may have been 2 1/2 ton stands.
     

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