making an add-a-leaf

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Apr 20, 2007 | 04:57 PM

oneofakind97

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making an add-a-leaf

got a 1997 f350 with a 6" lift on it and it still doesnt sit level. i need about 2 inches of lift in the front for it to sit level. since i still have all the stock leafs, i was wondering if i could take a leaf out of the old pack and add it to the top of the new pack. im sure id have to do some cutting and so forth to the leaf, but isnt that basically what an add-a-leaf is? i figure, instead of spending 100 bucks on it, why not just spend some time on it and do it this way.

btw, im definitely worried about safety as this truck is my DD, so if doing it this way isnt safe, ill jsut scrap the idea. any input?

Apr 21, 2007 | 12:54 AM

pud

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From: Quesnel, BC, Canada

does your stock rear pack have the single overload spring ontop of the pack? Looking at mine I think it would make a nice add a leaf...or even a replacement leaf and still get lift. Its got some good arch to it and it isnt any thicker than the rest of the leafs in the pack.

Apr 21, 2007 | 08:00 AM

wizzard351

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From: wi

put the add a leaf somewere in the middle of the pack not on top it wont do no good on top. ive used old 3/4 ton springs with lots of arc to make mine in the past

Apr 22, 2007 | 03:05 PM

pud

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From: Quesnel, BC, Canada

nobody said put it on top. The trucks overload spring is a single one, with more arch then the rest of the pack. Its about the same length as the 2nd or 3rd leaf down from the main. By looking at it, its no thicker then the rest of the leafs in the pack, so it appears like it would be a good AAL.

Apr 22, 2007 | 03:43 PM

MBBFord

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From: Louisiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by pud

nobody said put it on top.

oneofakind97, said add it to the top of the pack.

For 2" extra lift you could take a leaf or possibly two to get what you want and put it close to the bottom.

Apr 22, 2007 | 03:50 PM

pud

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From: Quesnel, BC, Canada

ahh yeah so he did....definately want to add the leaf into the pack.

Apr 22, 2007 | 04:33 PM

oneofakind97

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so should i take apart my old rear leafs, which did have the overload spring, and use one of longer leafs, or should i use a shorter one? im looking for about 2" of lift for the front. and also, after i add in the new leaves, should i put them inside that clamp thing, of keep them on the outside of it?

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Apr 22, 2007 | 05:05 PM

pud

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From: Quesnel, BC, Canada

put it in the spring clamps, get the longest on you can fit in there. If youve got the single overload spring you could find a leaf the same length in your front pack and replace it with the overload spring. In theory you wont get any added stiffness the AAL will cause, because youre only replacing one leaf out for another that has more arch....I'll be using one of those overload springs in my rear pack of my F150.
You could test it out and report back, if turns out it works good (which i dont see why it wouldnt) you might just save a bunch of FTE members $125 on an aftermarket AAL!