do front add-a-leafs work?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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do front add-a-leafs work?
how much level will i get and what all parts do i need to do front add a leafs and will it throw my geometry off?? cuz the block method clearly doesnt work found that out the hard way!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 317
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From: Snohomish, WA
They work, and you will probably get your front end to align with them installed, but, you may need new camber adjuster shims to get it to align. Otherwise you may have to install a pivot drop bracket to get it to align well.
A lot of guys would rather dump the D50 IFS for a D60 at this point because the D60 nets you a stronger axle that does not have the alignment issues.
This is what I did on my f250:
1) installed add-a-leaf kit
2) had super expensive alignment
I got almost 3" of lift out of the front in this setup, but the front tires had about a degree of positive camber which I didn't like.
4) Installed IFS pivot drop bracket
3) Had truck re-aligned.
The lower drop pivot helped the geometry, but the straighter axle actually decreased my lift by about an inch. The truck did align MUCH better this way and now drives the way I want.
If I were to do it over, I would have just bought an F350. If I were to lift an F250 again, I would just do a D60 swap and use F350 springs.
BUT, add-a-leafs do work.
A lot of guys would rather dump the D50 IFS for a D60 at this point because the D60 nets you a stronger axle that does not have the alignment issues.
This is what I did on my f250:
1) installed add-a-leaf kit
2) had super expensive alignment
I got almost 3" of lift out of the front in this setup, but the front tires had about a degree of positive camber which I didn't like.
4) Installed IFS pivot drop bracket
3) Had truck re-aligned.
The lower drop pivot helped the geometry, but the straighter axle actually decreased my lift by about an inch. The truck did align MUCH better this way and now drives the way I want.
If I were to do it over, I would have just bought an F350. If I were to lift an F250 again, I would just do a D60 swap and use F350 springs.
BUT, add-a-leafs do work.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,086
Likes: 1
From: Malahat/Cowichan Valley
with the D60's and on my 350 how many leafs are supposed to be there? I think i have a issue that needs attention. i only have two. maybe that is the reason for the lower front end on the truck.
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
The Diesels are heavier, the stock leafs are to weak and sag after time, installing the add-a-leaf leveling kit returns the vehicle to it's approximate factory ride height and gives a little more spring rate to help hold up the Diesel.
Drive your truck straight ahead for about 20 feet... Stop, Park and get out and walk out in front of your truck, do you see negative camber (Top of the tires leaning in), If you do the leveling leaf will assist in removing the negative camber.
Now, Back your truck straight back for about 20 feet, park and go look see if you now have negative camber, if you do, all your leaf bushings are wore out, along with the probability that you also have alignment issues.
Due to toe in, it will cause a tiny bit of negative camber when backing up, however it should not be much.
At an unladen weight (ie: empty) the tires should have a degree or so (don't know the spec) of positive camber. (top of tires out)
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Drive your truck straight ahead for about 20 feet... Stop, Park and get out and walk out in front of your truck, do you see negative camber (Top of the tires leaning in), If you do the leveling leaf will assist in removing the negative camber.
Now, Back your truck straight back for about 20 feet, park and go look see if you now have negative camber, if you do, all your leaf bushings are wore out, along with the probability that you also have alignment issues.
Due to toe in, it will cause a tiny bit of negative camber when backing up, however it should not be much.
At an unladen weight (ie: empty) the tires should have a degree or so (don't know the spec) of positive camber. (top of tires out)
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,086
Likes: 1
From: Malahat/Cowichan Valley
yeah i think they took most of the 350 and left it alone, but the front leafs are from a 150 i believe. I have zero camber either way, checked with the weight and line test to see true straight vertical. backing or forward i get zero camber, just about two inches of height diff from front to rear. Off the JY i go!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
The Dana 60 don't do the funny camber change when you back up like the IFS axles do.
Three different spring rates for front springs on F 250 and F 350 trucks.
Two heaviest spring rates have two leaves, and the lightest one has three leaves.
Springs were negative arch, they should be flat or bow up slightly in the center.
With a 60 under there, you can add leaves, arched springs or air bags, raising the front don't affect alignment.
With the IFS axle, if you want more height, buy a lift kit.
They are extremely sensitive to height as far as alignment goes.
Tires should sit vertical or slightly wider at the bottom than the top when wheels are pointed straight ahead and you stop while moving forward.
I had air bags on mine for my snow plow.
While I was at the alignment shop we added enough air to raise the bumper 1".
There was not enough adjustment to get the camber back in spec with that added inch of height.
F 150 4x4 has coil front springs, so that has to be from the F 350.
Three different spring rates for front springs on F 250 and F 350 trucks.
Two heaviest spring rates have two leaves, and the lightest one has three leaves.
Springs were negative arch, they should be flat or bow up slightly in the center.
With a 60 under there, you can add leaves, arched springs or air bags, raising the front don't affect alignment.
With the IFS axle, if you want more height, buy a lift kit.
They are extremely sensitive to height as far as alignment goes.
Tires should sit vertical or slightly wider at the bottom than the top when wheels are pointed straight ahead and you stop while moving forward.
I had air bags on mine for my snow plow.
While I was at the alignment shop we added enough air to raise the bumper 1".
There was not enough adjustment to get the camber back in spec with that added inch of height.
F 150 4x4 has coil front springs, so that has to be from the F 350.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 17
From: Dryden, ON, Canada
The higher spring rate springs are actually the TTB stuff, the solid axle springs are actually considerably softer, due to the way the ttb loads each spring individually and doesn't share the load across both springs.
TTB springs and a solid axle = suspension that doesn't... LOL
I just yanked the TTB leaves out of my big truck, and other than about 2" of downtravel, my only suspension was the tires... LOL
TTB springs and a solid axle = suspension that doesn't... LOL
I just yanked the TTB leaves out of my big truck, and other than about 2" of downtravel, my only suspension was the tires... LOL
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Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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alignment isnt to terrible of an issue to me as long as it doesnt throw it way off course.. i think u guys pretty much answered my questions .. but just askin again to be sure .. the add a leaf kit has all the parts i need?
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
