Wish me more luck: Dakar leaf pack self install day.

Self installing the leaf packs today.

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Old

 

Good looking leafies, good luck

 

Good luck.
They goin' on that green machine next to them?

 

It's not too bad, have a friend for an extra set of hands and a couple extra jack stands.

 

Oh Boy! hope your having fun! Best!

 

It's easy, don't worry make sure you work safe and it will be done in 1h

 

nah, just be smart and do 1 side at a time.

Jack the truck up, set frame on jack stands, use jack on axle to try to keep leafs as unloaded as possible (but not flexing) and then unbolt everything and wiggle loose then drop axle to get them loose, bolt in new leafs opposite the way you unbolted OEM leafs....do it again on the other side. Do yourself a favor and get an impact gun as well lol

 

I did mine alone as well, no big deal. It does make it easier to do 1 at a time to keep the axle from rotating. Watching the brake lines though, definitely unbolt the bracket first just in case.

 

Brake lines will be fine as long as you do 1 side at a time and keep the axle at ride height. if you let the axle down to far, yes you can pull the break lines down to far.

 

Lol!

Thanks for all the encouragement. I got it done. The brake lines were a pain to work around.

I did get a second pair of hands which were necessary for putting in the Dakar pack on the drivers side. I had to use a pry bar to push the shackle down a few inches, while my helper pushed the bolt through.

Passenger side was much easier, and yes, I did one side at a time.

Before installing the leaves I was going to put longer brake lines in. However, instead I managed to round off a brake line flare nut. I was so fucking pissed. I was using a 10mm flare nut wrench, but is was shitty build quality. The brake lines will be a shop project most likely now. I'll have to see about that.

I noted that the OME shocks, limit axle droop by about 2 inches. And the mount on the axle housing had to be widened for the shock which sucked. But I got it done.

Anyways, here are some install photos.

 

Those shocks are limiting the spring back by at least 1-2" for sure.

Looks like you're running the extra leaf without the upper overload? I may end up doing the same to increase the springs rate without extra height. I have the extra leaf in my garage. Really no need for the overload with the superbumps anyway.

 

nice!

 

I didn't measure, but it's easy enough to do at a later date if I decide I want more flex out of the rear.

I subtracted the extra overload, added the

$81 D29XL Leaf Spring

D29XL AAL, and inserted a 3* steel shim. With the shim and overload I think it puts me right at where a normal Dakar leaf pack would. I did weigh them before and after. My pack was 70.5 lbs before alteration and after It was 70 lbs. Today I hope to get out and drive around. I still have to torque everything to spec.

 

Whose U-bolt flip kit is that?

 

So I test drive the truck 0-70 mph, and it drives like a Cadillac! Smooth! Absolutely no unwanted vibrations! I'm very pleased.

Next test is to wheel the truck. Possibly tomorrow.

All Pro, with my custom red paint job. My truck has a subtle red and black theme.

 

Cool! Good to know about doing one at a time. Noted.

 

Were the brake lines enough of a pain to justify disconnecting the driver side one for install, then reconnect and purge the air? or would that be more work than the tight lines caused in the first place?

 

I wouldn't disconnect the lines unless I had longer ones to replace the factory ones. Use a pry bar, bottle jack, or any other method you can devise.

 

With wheelers super bumps?

 

Yes.