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AAL Install. (second gen)

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by chris4x4, Sep 28, 2009.

  1. Jul 31, 2016 at 6:24 AM
    #501
    Tectonic

    Tectonic Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100 all around OME 884 Wheelers 1.5" 3 leaf progressive aal 255/75r17 Hankook Dynapro ATM ARE camper shell Hella Sharptones (4)
    Grab some locking pliers. I had to do that once
     
  2. Jul 31, 2016 at 6:32 AM
    #502
    Tectonic

    Tectonic Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100 all around OME 884 Wheelers 1.5" 3 leaf progressive aal 255/75r17 Hankook Dynapro ATM ARE camper shell Hella Sharptones (4)
    I've installed aal's a few times, and I've never been able to do it quite this way. I always end up unbolting everything from both sides and doing them simultaneously (i.e. lowering the entire rear axle, installing both, and raising them both). The reason is that once I get the first aal installed and am going to jack the axle back up to meet the leaf pack, the center pin head won't line up to the seat because of the asymmetry of having a thicker leaf pack on one side. I'm talking so far off that there's no way I could muscle it in. Anyone else? About to install Wheeler's 3 leaf
     
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  3. Jul 31, 2016 at 7:35 AM
    #503
    mightym

    mightym Well-Known Member

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    Have you tried to C-Clamp on either side of the center pin to hold it together?
     
  4. Jul 31, 2016 at 7:48 AM
    #504
    Velociraptor4x4

    Velociraptor4x4 Well-Known Member

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    I used a ratchet strap to manipulate the axle so my centering pin would drop down in. Did mine one side at a time.
     
  5. Jul 31, 2016 at 8:18 AM
    #505
    Tectonic

    Tectonic Well-Known Member

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    Tucson, AZ
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    Bilstein 5100 all around OME 884 Wheelers 1.5" 3 leaf progressive aal 255/75r17 Hankook Dynapro ATM ARE camper shell Hella Sharptones (4)
    Thanks for the replies. I think I haven't adequately explained the scenario. I've got the aal installed on one side with the center pin secured, axle supported by jack, the other side is stock and still all bolted up. All I need to do is jack the axle to meet the new aal pack and when I do the center pin seat on the axle doesn't line up with the center pin head at the base of the leaf pack. The reason is that the axle can't be flush with the base of the leaf packs now because they no longer sit at the same level (aal leaf pack sits lower). Below I've inserted photos from the OP's post where he raises the axle up to the new leaf pack. This is where my issue is.

    Anyways, I have a work-around, it's just puzzling :bananadead:

    Boating-suspension026_b534f36bb90cf3aa8ac937160bac157139dfca63.jpg

    Boating-suspension027_8d112a324eaf21735cf420a2c23130dafc2c9869.jpg
     
  6. Oct 3, 2016 at 9:29 PM
    #506
    dirtnsmores

    dirtnsmores A camping truck

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    Mike
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    OME885/5100, DAKAR MED-DUTY, SOFTOPPER
    i have the toytec single add a leaf. from looking at them I cannot tell if they need to be installed in a certain direction. doesn't specify in the instructions, so i'm assuming it doesn't matter.
     
    MTopp likes this.
  7. Oct 5, 2016 at 6:45 PM
    #507
    MTopp

    MTopp Professional bear handler

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    Match the AAL lengths to how the leafs are. Some aals probably aren't longer on one side than the other, but the OEM toyota leafs are definitely longer towards the front or rear..without looking I think its the front, but its easy just to look and see.
     
  8. Oct 5, 2016 at 6:48 PM
    #508
    MTopp

    MTopp Professional bear handler

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    I always just jack up to the diff like you have, put a strap on it so the pumpkin doesn't move at all, then unbolt both sides of the axle as well as all the ABS clips and unbolt all the brake lines in the axle(but not on the very end obviously). Then I drop the entire axle, I find to be easier that way and when lining it all back up its usually close enough to where I get one pin in, apply pressure with the jack and then pull/push/kick the other side of the axle or leafs until the center pin lines up.

    This is also easier/nicer/less sketchy when you have extended stainless steel braided brake lines. Got them from @OCTaco on the forums here, great deal and product.
     
  9. Oct 24, 2016 at 5:21 PM
    #509
    presta24

    presta24 Well-Known Member

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    Scratches, dents, lots of squeaks.
    What did you need the 22mm socket for?

    Anywho, great write up, thanks man, helped me out.
     
  10. Nov 4, 2016 at 3:19 PM
    #510
    Hojae84

    Hojae84 Well-Known Member

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    hi guys i am putting in the toytec progressive aal's this weekend. write up helps a lot - does anyone have the pics?
     
  11. Nov 5, 2016 at 7:16 AM
    #511
    Hojae84

    Hojae84 Well-Known Member

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    I c pics now awesome Thanks! made my my day thank :thumbsup::dancingbacon::broccoli:
     
  12. Nov 9, 2016 at 5:07 AM
    #512
    MTopp

    MTopp Professional bear handler

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    The u bolt nuts most likely
     
  13. Nov 16, 2016 at 7:25 PM
    #513
    spiralout462

    spiralout462 Well-Known Member

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    Icon suspension '15 toyota nav TRD FJ SE anthracite wheels Weathertechs Trd pro pieces
    How bout the U bolt torque value. Icon says 73ftlbs. OP said something over 100ftlbs.

    What do you guys do? I don't think I can muster 120ftlbs. with my 1/2" torque wrench.

    I am admittedly small and weak. :)
     
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  14. Nov 17, 2016 at 6:21 AM
    #514
    xJuice

    xJuice My spoon is too Big!

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    From the first post.
     
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  15. Nov 17, 2016 at 6:29 AM
    #515
    rmepilot

    rmepilot Well-Known Member

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  16. Nov 17, 2016 at 7:07 AM
    #516
    spiralout462

    spiralout462 Well-Known Member

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    Huh? I know I read 120 somewhere . Thanks for keeping me straight. :)
     
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  17. Nov 30, 2016 at 8:19 PM
    #517
    randomguy

    randomguy Well-Known Member

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    I did the method shown in the OP for my driver side leaf. It was a bitch to get the center pin aligned afterwards and took much prying and moving the axle. I decided to try keeping the pack together.

    IMG_1346_b4817c6ffb2f04b86767e56353d69c6fcf335b8c.jpg
    On the passenger side I used two smaller c clamps spaced up against the retainers on both ends. This kept the springs in place and the hole aligned. No prying, fighting, or cursing. You'll note the c clamps are about as far apart as they can be. This is plenty of room for a single AAL. No idea on the three leaf setup.

    IMG_1347_19a30921b74c8072d92dd3c940ad9692e583d254.jpg
    To get enough clearance under the leaf to slide the AAL, overload, and extra long new center in through I used a bottle jack. The axle was already dangling as much as it could as I put the tire back on the driver side after I finished it.

    IMG_1348_9135a663ff88439e3f802efaef4fb5fe62858f65.jpg
    Used the floor jack to raise the axle. This allowed me to effortlessly line the spring perch up with the spring and center pin. Very easy.

    IMG_1349_c277bcd285f4dcceb47ef552632ea59678b5ac71.jpg
    Finally because the axle was already raised I had nothing to hold onto when tightening the center pin. Since your trimming it anyways I used vice grips to hold the pin while I tightened it with a ratcheting box end. Max torque is like 30 ft lbs so it's not hard to do at all.
     
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  18. Dec 11, 2016 at 6:23 PM
    #518
    SocalTaco15

    SocalTaco15 Well-Known Member

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    I used your method to do the aal install. It was clean and easy! Thanks!!
     
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  19. Dec 19, 2016 at 11:28 AM
    #519
    Whitetrash

    Whitetrash Well-Known Member

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    Wheeler's AAL, 5100s at 1.75, 265/75r16
    I also just used this method installing a wheelers 1.5" AAL, and it was extremely easy! Def gave me back the little 1.5" factory rake I like, after the rear was about .5" lower when I installed a front leveling kit.
    Before
    IMG_4956.jpg
    After
    IMG_5928.jpg
    Regardless it was easy and I'm happy :)
     
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  20. Dec 19, 2016 at 6:37 PM
    #520
    SocalTaco15

    SocalTaco15 Well-Known Member

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    Good looking regular cab!
     

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