PTR13-35150 - Bilstein TRD PRO kit - Upgrade??

Tonight I just finished installing my HS 3 leaf progressive AAL. I decided to do the rear suspension first.
I left the rear overload leaf in. I purchased new top bushings for the rear shocks vs using old bushings.
After a test drive on a bumpy dirt road my lift got me 2 inches in the rear. (With a full tank of gas) I can't wait to get my ECGS bearing and front shocks installed. The truck looks funny with the rear end so much higher than the front right now.

 

I was about to do the same last weekend and just install the AAL I have all my components just not enough time to do it. I do have the rear shocks installed already.
Any pics?

 

The fronts don't take much time at all. IMO, the AAL was much harder.

 

Sorry I didn't take any pictures. ( looks like all the other installs w OL on here) One important thing to note was that the retainer clip that holds the e brake cable attaches to the OL Spring on both sides. If you remove the OL there is no place to attach the retainer clip. Another reason to leave the OL Spring installed. You could just cut the clip and remove it but I like the idea it keeps the cable clear of the tire.

 

High Caster

 

Yeah It seems pretty straightforward I have the ECGS bushing as well so it may take me a bit longer

Thanks for the tip I am planning on leaving the OL leaf

 

That’s not entirely accurate, if you are referring to a 3 leaf AAL.

A 3 leaf AAL has a leaf pack retainer of its own installed on the front and rear. The front retainer bolt can be used to hold the E-brake bracket/clip if the factory OL is left out. You do have to drill out the mounting hole of the E-brake bracket to a slightly larger diameter to be compatible with the aftermarket AAL retainer clip bolt, but very easy to do.

Long story short, there’s no reason you can’t use the E-brake clip with a 3 leaf AAL w/o the factory OL leaf, just gotta get innovative.

 

I tried to keep the E-Brake clip but it does not leave enough slack in the brake cable. The new mounting position is very different than the original. After installing the 3 leaf, I set the axle at full droop and tried to reattach the clip to the new retainer and I was about 3 inches too far away from the clip. At full droop I was worried I would cause serious damage to the brake line. Once the truck is back on the ground it has plenty of clearance to mount, but jack it up by the frame and see how tight it gets at that clip. I cut mine off and let the brake line hang. I may fabricate a new clip that gives enough clearance. Maybe there are some differences between the AAL retainers between the manufactures but my headstrong pack didn't allow me enough clearance to reattach.

 

I had this problem too. I simply zip tied the aft bracket to the forward one because I didn't want it rattling around and I didn't want to cut it off.

 

My Icon 3 leaf AAL was the same.

 

I too have the HS AAL, and I did my full suspension replacement with the truck on a lift, so pretty much full droop start to finish. My E-brake clip in the new position didn’t appear to put any undo strain on the line in my situation. I bent the bracket just slightly by hand, but I still felt everything was kosher.
Just offering my experience.

 

There must be some pretty big variances in the length of these cables or in the way they are routed during manufacture. Mine came nowhere near the attachment point when it was at full extension.

 

Would you mind posting your alignment numbers? Thanks!

 

I will go to the alignment shop, but it will be a few weeks before getting back home. I'm recovering from major back surgery in Germany.

 

You got back surgery in Germany or thats where you are recovering?

 

The amount of rear axle drop depends if the new shocks are attached or not. When the new shocks are attached they limit the amount the rear axle can drop. You will have enough cable length with shocks installed. I also bent the e clip that attaches to my OL spring at an angle to better match the angle the cable was heading to the drum. I did not want the cable to bind in the e clip. It bends very easy with pliers. I think keeping the emergency cable clip attached is best.

 

Yes, artificial disk replacement L5/S1. They basically gut you like a pig and bolt two metal plates and some bionic plastic cup in the middle then sew you back up.

 

That sounds awesome...not!
I herniated a disc dead lifting when i was 18. Its never been right since and they suggested surgery before, but i have heard too many horror stories, so i have tried a bunch of other things. Now 35 and dont remember what its like not to have constant back pain

Ever look at the stem cell stuff they do down in Panama? It seems pretty good.

This podcast with Joe Rogan, Mel Gibson, and Dr. Neil Riordan has a lot of good info. I was pretty skeptical at first, but looked into it after listening to it. Seems legit. Dont know if it will play from here or not, but probably easy to search with the below description and find it elsewhere... Its episode 1066 if that helps.
Sorry for
https://play.google.com/music/m/Dbm4lcdiwnr5oyw4xqfc4ktptau?t=1066_Mel_Gibson_Dr_Neil_Riordan_-_The_Joe_Rogan_Experience

 

Thanks. I had only a half of a potato chip left of my disc. This is my Obi One last ditch effort to regain a normal life.

 

Check out that info. The type they use is supposed to be amazing for recovery. Like people go from not walking to walking again.