Add-a-leaf troubles?? help!
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Ponchatoula, La.
Add-a-leaf troubles?? help!
Bought a 2 1/2" shackel lift for the front (haven't had a chance to install it, because the supposedly easy 3" add-a-leaf is wearing me out).
Here's my trouble- the center-pin bolts on the "Tuff Country" 3" add-a-leaf are only 2" longer than the stock 4" pins. Question is- shouldn't they be 3" longer since the springpack will be 3" taller?? They sent 6" center pins- When I stack the new spring in as the direction indicates it looks like I'll need at least 7 5/8" pins. ALSO, the instructions say the stock U-bolts will due- ?? the spring thickness is 7/16"- my stock ubolts do not have any excess threads, so, that means I would not have a "full nut" on the ubolts- being from a mechanical background I do not believe this is acceptable?? Anyone seen these things??
Here's my trouble- the center-pin bolts on the "Tuff Country" 3" add-a-leaf are only 2" longer than the stock 4" pins. Question is- shouldn't they be 3" longer since the springpack will be 3" taller?? They sent 6" center pins- When I stack the new spring in as the direction indicates it looks like I'll need at least 7 5/8" pins. ALSO, the instructions say the stock U-bolts will due- ?? the spring thickness is 7/16"- my stock ubolts do not have any excess threads, so, that means I would not have a "full nut" on the ubolts- being from a mechanical background I do not believe this is acceptable?? Anyone seen these things??
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,924
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From: Richmond BC
ur post is kinda hard to read..
but if ur refering the center pin that holds the spring together.. that part isnt going to gain 3" of thickness.. the addaleaf cause more spring arch which gives u 3"s of lift at teh ends..
at the spring perch (center of teh springs) u'll prolly see maybe 1/2" of thickness gained.. thats why the longer centerpin.. which u should trim off the extra after its tightened down anyways..
p.s. most times ( and i mean most times) u WILL need new ubolts.. both for the extra length and the fact most stock U bolts wont simply unbolt unless ur working on a brand new truck...
hope that helps.. ur gunna need to buy longer NEW ubolts most likely...
but if ur refering the center pin that holds the spring together.. that part isnt going to gain 3" of thickness.. the addaleaf cause more spring arch which gives u 3"s of lift at teh ends..
at the spring perch (center of teh springs) u'll prolly see maybe 1/2" of thickness gained.. thats why the longer centerpin.. which u should trim off the extra after its tightened down anyways..
p.s. most times ( and i mean most times) u WILL need new ubolts.. both for the extra length and the fact most stock U bolts wont simply unbolt unless ur working on a brand new truck...
hope that helps.. ur gunna need to buy longer NEW ubolts most likely...
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 818
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From: Mobile, AL
You will have to compress the springs with C-clamps to put the new center pin through, the new stack thickness will only increase by the thickness of the new spring. When I pulled my old Tahoe apart to install add-a-leafs, I thought the kit had everything I needed, and low and behold the Ubolts didn't fit. I had to borrow my friends car and drive an hour to an Auto Zone that had longer U bolts in stock.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Georgia
Is the add-a-leaf going on the rear? A word of caution. Make sure you clamp the springs very good with a big screw type c-clamp not vise grip c-clamps. If they pop loose before you get the bolt through and the nut on, it could take a finger off. Also, get new U-bolts. Never re-use the old ones. They actually stretch a little when torqued down at the factory which weakens them when you do it again.
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