Add A Leaf Rear???
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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Add A Leaf Rear???
hey guys. im looking into a add a leaf for my 02 f250 put a leveling kit in and love the height but now i realized when i put anything that has some weight to it my truck squats. and looks funny. also. i put a trailer on and the chains just about drag... so i was thinking of have a spring shop do my spring packs. but there quote was out of my budget and for me never getting work done on my truck unless i do it. I can tackle this but i just am not sure of what brand to go to.. i can get custom u bolts made around where i live. CT is good for that.. but do i go with skyjacker rough country rancho ?? whats the best.. i have skyjacker shocks. but i dont need to stick with a specific brand.. i no that when i put these in i will loose my level look but thats ok. just wanted to lift her up a we but and beef the front end up for plowing a tad...
thanks for your input
thanks for your input
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
The add-a-leaf will raise the back end of your truck, but will make the ride very stiff.
An alternate plan is to install F-350 blocks and new U-bolts. This should give you about a 2" lift with no change in ride quality. This is also a less expensive solution.
Lou Braun
An alternate plan is to install F-350 blocks and new U-bolts. This should give you about a 2" lift with no change in ride quality. This is also a less expensive solution.
Lou Braun
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,449
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From: South Jersey
a short add a leaf will make the truck ride rough, on my f350 i had a local spring shop make me a add a leaf for 50 bucks a side. I had it made long so it would hold weight but not hurt my ride. mine is now under the second leaf, its i believe 21" to the front by 24" to the rear. the spring guy said it will give me between 800lbs to 900lbs more payload(which it did) and the new ubolts from him for 30 or 35 dollars
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 620
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From: Canyon Country
part of my rear lift is an add a leaf. DONT DO IT! I regret putting it in there! ride is really rough with it! either get lifted springs or add blocks. the one downside to blocks is you may get some vibration/axle wrap with them. but if you just swap F250 to F350 blocks you won't have a problem, it's when you start stacking blocks on top of your factory block is when you start running into issues...one of these days when I find the time and cash I am going to take my add a leaf out and replace the whole spring pack with a lifted spring.
if your worried about the rear squatting with a load add some air bags. best $250 i've spent on my truck!
if your worried about the rear squatting with a load add some air bags. best $250 i've spent on my truck!
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Senior User
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i thought about the blocks. too but i did find a "soft add a leaf" from skyjacker... they look to be long and seem to look like they will go in the middle of the pack... ill have to do more research
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
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From: Midland, MI
I have 2" Tuffcountry add-a-leafs in the rear of my truck. The ride is pretty damn stiff, but when I hook up a trailer my truck has almost no squat. I love it.
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see thats the thing.. my truck rides like a cement mixer.. i put new shocks on it and it didnt help.. but i can deal with it b.c im young. i am turned away from the blocks b.c i want the leafs to have some help.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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With the add a leaf. do i need to worry about the driveshaft?? anythin with that and what about the rears alignment.. i no that u have to get the centering pins in the holes but is this a take off put together install and drive away project?
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
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From: Midland, MI
Yeah there is a tradeoff... You get the really stiff ride but she sure sits nice while towing/hauling. I haven't had any issues with the driveshaft or alignment, no vibrations or anything... just stiff but I kinda like it. My add-a-leafs came with the new pins. Did it all in my driveway in about 2 hours.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
I second the airbags. Very easy to install and you can get the bags and on board compressor from around $460 if you shop around. Then you can haul whatever you want and not worry about it sagging in the back.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,449
Likes: 70
From: South Jersey
a SHORT add a leaf will make your truck ride like a train, i had one on my 78 f150 and it rode like a dump truck, i since removed it and installed a skyjacker long add a leaf and the ride is almost as soft as stock, plus i got two inches of lift and less axle wrap. We installed a six inch lift on my cousin's 2001 1500 chevy and the kit came with a block and a short add a leaf. after the rear of the truck would just bounce because the ride was so stiff, i told him to order a long add a leaf and he did plus a one piece three inch block. truck is now as smooth as glass driving down the street
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,514
Likes: 398
From: W. Central FL.
Forget about additional spring leaves and air shocks. Go with air bags, best of all worlds. There is a reason over the road trucks have air suspension. And you don't really need the expense of an on board compressor. Plumb the fill lines separatly where you can reach them easily. About $250.-$300. and an easy install.
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ok well i just went with the add a leafs b.c they were the cheaper route. installed them today and im happy with the turn out.. i guess my trucks springs were pretty saggy. the leafs were supposed to give me 2 inchs of lift.. i got about one.. witch is fine.. my ride actually improved. its not as bouncy and just handles better. im happy with it.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: SoCali!!
I agree with the air bag recommendation. I have bagged four of my own trucks, and a bunch for my friends and relatives.
I build my own brackets because I don't particularly care for most of the commercially available kits (there are some pics of the upper one in my gallery, this was the first set I did)
After that set I laser cut what I needed and bent them out of a solid sheet, as opposed to welding three pieces together. The bottom bracket is a piece of cake too. I can send some better pics of them if you are interested.
Smooth ride, adjustable weight carrying capability when necessary, they work perfect.
I build my own brackets because I don't particularly care for most of the commercially available kits (there are some pics of the upper one in my gallery, this was the first set I did)
After that set I laser cut what I needed and bent them out of a solid sheet, as opposed to welding three pieces together. The bottom bracket is a piece of cake too. I can send some better pics of them if you are interested.
Smooth ride, adjustable weight carrying capability when necessary, they work perfect.