installing add-a-leaf
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installing add-a-leaf
Hi,
I just ordered a superlift add-a-leaf kit from Summitracing for my '86 F250 4x4 6.9L. I plan on doing the work myself, but want to know just what is involved in doing the job. If it is really sloppy and a pain in the ***, i might consider having it done. Thanks for the heads up.
- Jerry
I just ordered a superlift add-a-leaf kit from Summitracing for my '86 F250 4x4 6.9L. I plan on doing the work myself, but want to know just what is involved in doing the job. If it is really sloppy and a pain in the ***, i might consider having it done. Thanks for the heads up.
- Jerry
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Spokane WA
I did one on my 76....piece of cake. easiest way is probably to pull the sping out, put it in a vice, and take the center bolt out. Then arrange the leaves as desired, clamp it together (with a screwdriver or something in the center hole to keep aligned) and bolt it all together.
Postmaster
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Here a handy link.
If you got something safe to hold up the rear of the truck, and some good clamps to compress the leaf springs together, then you should be good to go.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...ght=add+a+leaf
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...ght=add+a+leaf
buck
If you got something safe to hold up the rear of the truck, and some good clamps to compress the leaf springs together, then you should be good to go.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...ght=add+a+leaf
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...ght=add+a+leaf
buck
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
i have never taken the leaf packs out to take out or add a leaf! thats way too much work. all ya gotta do is pull the u-bolts off the spring plate to seperate the spring from the axle. then jack up the truck on the frame somewhere to lift the frame/spring off the axle. then once you get about 6" b/t the spring and axle you should have enough room to work. i use a c-clamp and air impact to take off the center pin. use the c-clamp to hold everything together while you remove the centerpin then loosen the c-clamp enough to the point where you can do what you need. then its the reverse. do one side at a time so you dont get ahead of yourself and so you ont have to try and jack up the whole truck and move it around
-cutts-
-cutts-
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From: GA
most of the time you dont even need a c clamp, take them apart by hand, push them together by hand, tighten bolt gently, then i jack the axkle up into the spring and pu pressure on the psrings and tighten the centerpin bolt
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The last set I installed required 4 C-clamps, to compress the leaf springs. I installed the add-a-leaf on leafs springs, second leaf starting from the bottom.
Make sure to clean under the truck with high pressure water. Remove all the dirt, mud and sand from the axle, leafs, u-bolts, bumper, frame, shocks, leaf brackets, and etc... this will help from getting dirt in ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and teeth.
With wire brush, brush off the threads on shock bolts, and u-bolts. Spray down the threads on u-bolts and shock bolts with some type of rust penetrator (Marvel Mystery Oil or AeroOil or KB Blaster). Loosen all nuts prior to lifting truck.
An impact gun, 1/2 drive or 3/4 drive will make taking off and installing the nuts and easier job. using a torque ratchet, torque down the u-bolts as recommended on add-a-leaf instructions. Re torque after 100 miles of use.
Make sure to clean under the truck with high pressure water. Remove all the dirt, mud and sand from the axle, leafs, u-bolts, bumper, frame, shocks, leaf brackets, and etc... this will help from getting dirt in ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and teeth.
With wire brush, brush off the threads on shock bolts, and u-bolts. Spray down the threads on u-bolts and shock bolts with some type of rust penetrator (Marvel Mystery Oil or AeroOil or KB Blaster). Loosen all nuts prior to lifting truck.
An impact gun, 1/2 drive or 3/4 drive will make taking off and installing the nuts and easier job. using a torque ratchet, torque down the u-bolts as recommended on add-a-leaf instructions. Re torque after 100 miles of use.
Last edited by 1975Ford; Aug 22, 2006 at 10:01 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
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From: Spokane WA
I actually did mine on the truck as well. The truck's weight wouldnt flatten the addaleaf though, I ended up pulling the vice off the bench and doing it that way 
. Another way to do it is to get a longer grade 8 bolt/nut and big washers. Then just start crankin with the impact
. Another way to do it is to get a longer grade 8 bolt/nut and big washers. Then just start crankin with the impact
Postmaster
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Will need longer u-bolts for the add-a-leafs.
Most Auto Parts Stores carry the leaf sping bolt / nut, the bolt is about 8 inches long and has a round head with a slot for a flat nose screw driver. Then when the leaf is compressed, hack saw the remainder of the bolt (threaded part) so it don't stick out of the leaf pack.
I had to use the C-clamps because the trucks weight also did not flatten the add-a-leaf. It takes some effort to collapse the leaf spring set far enough to tighten the leaf spring bolt/nut.
Mark one side of the leaf springs with a marker, you can the use it as a reference upon installation.
Get a can of rust inhibitor paint (black), sand paper, masking tape, newpapers (to cover areas not needing paint), then prep and paint the frame, parts of the axle, block, u-bolts, and other areas needing painting.
Most Auto Parts Stores carry the leaf sping bolt / nut, the bolt is about 8 inches long and has a round head with a slot for a flat nose screw driver. Then when the leaf is compressed, hack saw the remainder of the bolt (threaded part) so it don't stick out of the leaf pack.
I had to use the C-clamps because the trucks weight also did not flatten the add-a-leaf. It takes some effort to collapse the leaf spring set far enough to tighten the leaf spring bolt/nut.
Mark one side of the leaf springs with a marker, you can the use it as a reference upon installation.
Get a can of rust inhibitor paint (black), sand paper, masking tape, newpapers (to cover areas not needing paint), then prep and paint the frame, parts of the axle, block, u-bolts, and other areas needing painting.
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