AAL Install. (second gen)

Thanks I was reading something about the dakars that you can remove the 3rd leaf and keep height but improve ride quality. Do you know anything about this?

 

I ran a single aal on an empty bed twice now, and while it does firm up the ride, it is barely noticeable and nowhere near the point of uncomfortable. A great bang for the buck.

 

Did you add blocks as well? Or just the AAL?

 

Just aal. Theres no need to do both.

 

Yes, you can do that and maybe reduce the 2.75 inch of lifts to 2.5 inch. Still a good lift amount with a solid leaf pack. I am running a 2 inch block right now and it's OK, it was recommended by Marie Headstrong while I'm saving for the dakars, she told me that in my case, blocks were a better choice than AAL because of the stiffness. She also told me that there is nothing wrong with blocks if you never offroad and stay under 2 inches. But it's just a temporary rear lift for my truck. AAL it's OK, nothing wrong with it, but the leaf pack is the way to go.

 

Followed these instructions last night into today and was able to successfully install my Wheelers single AAL along with my 2nd Gen TRD Pro struts. Ran into a couple of issues with the leaf alignment but got them in. Onto the fronts now...

 

For those using HeadStrong's 3 leaf progressive AAL (HS-TOY055-3AL), do you have any pics after they've settled? I think it's time to replace my 2" ToyTec AAL and I might replace it with the 3 leaf.

 

I'm curious about this as well. I just installed mine last weekend without the overload, so we shall see.

 

Pics, man, pics! Any reason why you left the overload out? I’ve got a 2.5” spacer up front, which will be replaced with lift coils later, but I’m wanting my rake back. I don’t like the level look.

 

My reason for leaving it out was this sentence:



That, and the conflicting info on whether or not the rear 5100s I bought would tolerate 2" of lift. Some sites say 0"-1", some 0"-2"... I settled in between with the 1.5", although I'll probably put it back in eventually. I'm happy with how it rides now, so much smoother/stiffer.

 

Looks good!

 

Has anyone installed a 3 leaf AAL with a 1/2” leaf spring shim with the overload left in?

 

Did you cut any of the u shaped brackets off your stock springs? The ones that hold the e-brake cable.

 

If you do, just ziptie the bracket up and out of the way and keep an eye on your e brake cable for rubbing. Mine doesn't, but some people do. If it does you just put some furl hose over the trouble spot to protect it.

 

I’m hoping to get this shit on in the next month, it’s been sitting in the garage for a month now.

 

Just checked my factory springs again, I might just bend the bracket a little instead of cutting them off. They’ve got more space on the outside of the springs than the inside, maybe 3/4” of clearance between the bracket and springs. Still might have to cut the inner bracket off.

 

Nope, I didn't cut anything. The bracket that held the brake cable was on the overload,which I left out. I mounted the cable to the front bolt/bracket of the AAL. I wouldn't recommend that though, because mine looks a little stressed.

 

What's the order of the washers/bushings for the 5100 shocks? Is this correct?

 

I think that looks right. That thin washer in the middle should have a little flare in the center of it that will sit up inside the hole in the mount of the frame to help keep it centered. And the boot should be snapped onto the bottom metal sleeve/bushing/spacer thing. You can slide the bottom zip tied end of the boot up the shock body if it won't reach up that far.

 

Anybody have this issue? Do I need to cut the rivets and remove that clamp or is it ok to run it like that? The top leaf on the AAL is touching the bottom of the rivet.