Is this how you AAL? Pics inside (Icon progressive 1.5 AAL)

From my understanding. Cut both spring clamps on the stock leafpack (RED) And remove overload (YELLOW). Short side on the AAL should be facing forward?

*Sorry the photo is all cluttered. Did the edits on the iPhone*

 

It's been awhile since I installed a progressive AAL on a third gen, but we didn't have to do any cutting. That was with leaving the overload out. You can reuse the overload if you want. That may require cutting.

 

Was yours icon progressive?

 

Not my truck, but we installed an icon progressive AAL on a third gen.

 

Short side should be facing forward. I only had to cut the rear pack clamp. The front had plenty of clearance since the AAL is shorter up there. This was on a 2017 using the icon 3 leaf.

 

Oh yeah, I removed the overload on mine. Leaving it in adds 1/2" of height. It also firms up the ride, and allows you to retain payload. I don't need any of those things for my application, so out it went!

 

Just to clarify for OP and any other future readers, the overload does not affect ride quality in anyway. It’s just a thick ass leaf on the bottom to keep your leafs from bending over backwards with a heavy load in the bed. The only height gained from it is the thickness of the leaf itself, which is about 1/2” as you said.

 

Yes and no. When the stock springs start to sag (10 miles on the odometer) you begin utilizing the overload as part of your pack. My truck with 4400 miles was on the overload with an unloaded bed. Anytime there is contact between the pack and the overload, it adds spring rate to the entire package, which will stiffen the ride. It's especially apparent when hitting dips at high speeds.

The AAL gives some arch back to the pack, which will keep you off of the overload when stationary. As soon as you start hitting bumps, it becomes a player in the game again.

 

Man if that’s the case with your stock leafs you should replace those things ASAP. I’ve never had that happen with any of my tacomas.

Besides, if your springs are so weak they’re riding the overload, that’s probably a good indication you should leave it in so it does it’s job.

 

Ya, it's pretty common. My 2012 was the same way. I did a single leaf AAL and left the overload on my 2nd gen. The single leaf doesn't add much arch. The 3 leaf makes my spring pack look like it should.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/flat-leaf-springs.494927/

There are threads all over about the negative arch on the springs. I'm going to run mine with the AAL and see how they hold up. If they go flat again, I will look into some one full packs.

 

icon states to remove the overload! what do I do! I don't really haul heavy loads in my bed. ill probably tow a car once in a while tho

 

I'd go through the effort of making it work. Worst case you cut some stuff off, and all you'll need for that is an angle grinder. If you don't have one, one can be picked up from Harbor Freight for less than $20.

 

id have to get new centering pin then

 

For what? Your AAL comes with a new centering pin.

 

I'm curious. Did you leave the overload leaf in? If so, how did you make it work?

 

Did you have to modify or cut any leaf spring clamps on the front of your overload? Does anyone have pics they can share?

I have the same truck and setup and wondering about the clamp issue that everyone runs into.

 

I know headstrong revised their AAL so this is no longer an issue, not sure about icon. You can hold up the AAL leaf with the clamps to your stock ones right now and see if there is going to be any interference

 

The front clamps on overload line up with front clamps on AAL.

Just not sure if I should cut the overload clamp off or the AAL.

 

I read your initial post too fast, but if it's on the overload then it's not a problem since it's recommended you don't run the overload. Unless you plan to run it to gain 1/2" additional lift on top of the 1.5" the AAL provides

 

Pic is from a different thread but similar to what I have where I cut the overload clamp off. Will there be any issues with the clamp in between the leaf pack and overload spring?