Add-A-Leaf Questions

T

tarsij

New member
1062240

OK, I'm trying to cheaply fit 31" tires on my 93 YJ and have decided on AALs and some TJ flares. How much lift can I expect fromt he Rubicon Express full length AAL? How hard is it to install, and will I have to extend my brakelines or do anything with the driveshaft angles? What about shocks? do I need longer ones and if so what kind are the best for both on and off road? And a quick question on tires and rims, I'm going to be getting some 31X10.5X15 Kumho venture MTs and some black rockcrawlers. What backspacing should I run on the rims to prevent and rubbing? And will 15X8 be too wide a rim?

Thanks,
TARSI

edited by: tarsij, Mar 28, 2003 - 07:27 PM[addsig]
 

1062253

it will add no more than 2 inches... which will eventually sag to about 1-1.5 inches... you will not have to extend or replace anything...
--the tires... you should be ok with stock backspacing (not sure how much really)... and yes 15x8 will work[addsig]
 
1062256

Never having lifted a YJ, I can´t be much help on the specifics. But a little general knowledge I´ve picked up could be helpful. I´m normally pretty cheap and don´t buy anything I don´t have to. But I´ve found U-bolts stretch when they are retorqued (weakening them) the friction removing the old nuts, often heats things up and can weaken the metal. Anymore I just don´t mess with them, grind them or cut them off and buy new ones. Same thing with the spring pack bolt and nut (centering pin). I´ve relocated some brake lines, by moving the mounting tabs, without much trouble.[addsig]
 
1062286

I added an extra YJ leaf to each pack and gained 1.5", for the cost of two used YJ front spring packs. I also installed TJ flares and easily clear 31" tires. I also have a 1" body lift and run 31" swampers, which are closer to a 32" tire.[addsig]
 

1062304

Bluebelle has 31's on her with only a 1' Daymark poly body lift and she rides well without any fender problems. She also has Gabriel HD gas shocks on the front with Gab air shocks on the rear (for towing and that little emergency lift) as well as a new stabilizer.

I installed aftermarket leafs all around - each with an extra leaf. Each leaf is around 1/16" thicker than stock. The combination results in an obvious spring arc (almost CJ-ish) giving her 1" lift.

The Warrior shackles didn't include lift, but were much stronger than stock.

Regarding the u-bolts - remember to consider the grade of the steel. I bought a new set from Summit and the steel was only grade 5. With the 90 ftlbs of torque on them, i opted to clean the grade 8 stock u-bolts and reuse, as they weren't rusty.

With a full set of poly in the suspension and in the body lift, she's tight, responsive and a pleasure to drive.

blue
[addsig]
 
1062339

I´ve used Gabriel alot in the past, don´t really hear much about them anymore. I´ve rarley had any trouble with them, I can´t remember ever seeing one with blown seals.
For awhile Gabriel was making Sears shocks (on contract). On sale, they were some cheaper than normal Gabriel and the same shock. Don´t know if this is still the case though. Had Gabriel air shocks in the back of my 3/4 ton for a decade, lasted and worked well.
Your right about the difference in temper. I´ve noticed some difference in the sets of U-bolts I´ve purchsed, the galvinized types, often seemed softer. The black steel types seemed harder. Have noticed, mostly in Dodge, that they grow in length with reuse, which always made me a little nervous. I´ve had a couple snap while retorquing, which really made me nervous.[addsig]
 

1062357

Mudder,

Good point about the stretching. I'm a little concerned about having my rig aligned. Don't they need to loosen the stacks and shim there? Never did alignment on leaf front ends, but it makes sense that it must be done via the springs. Some of those 1/2" drive impact air guns develop 200 lbs of torque. Hate to have them snap or stretch too much then snap when I'm way into the woods.

Do you know where I can get some of the grade 8 black u-bolts new?

blue
[addsig]
 
1062528

Bounty, just one question. How would I go about doing an AAL with used spring packs? And is there any writeups online about it?

THANKS
TARSI[addsig]
 

1062545

I too have looked into the add a leaf system to save a buck. Two teen agers in the house do keep tug broke. Snitty kept me posted on his add a chevy leaf deal and that looked great for a man on a budget, considering that. We have a commercial spring shop here in town that does Dump tucks and the such all week and on the week ends will remove rearch add a leaf or two if you wish reinstall with new u bolts end bushings and bolts for $200.00 and they say it will noly take about 2 hours in and out, considering that. Still I am leaning to just breaking in to the bank and getting a 2.5" Rubicon Express lift kit.

The old saying goes you get what you pay for. I don't know Tug

edited by: Tug-n-pull, Mar 30, 2003 - 08:36 PM[addsig]
 
1062607

TJ flares cost about 329.00 new for that price you can just about buy a 4" lift. To add a leaf is easy. Jack up the frame take off the shackles and main bolts. Then take off the u bolts. There will be a center pin in the leef pack undo that pin add your leef. Then rebolt the ubolts and the shackles. That was will quick but a hope it will help. Rubicon express has really good lifts but there 3.5 lift is a pro comp lift. Thay get there smaller springs from mexico. There extreme duty springs the 2.5 and the 4.5 are made in canada. G spot had bought the 3.5 lift and he bent a spring and thay told him that it was just a pro comp spring. [addsig]
 
1062666

I can get TJ flares for about 20$ from my friend once he buys some new ones for his 99 TJ. And if he doesn't do it in a timely fashion, then I can just buy some on ebay for like 80$. So that cost plus some 2" AALs will only be around 300$, if that. And thanks for the how-to on putting the leaves in.


TARSI[addsig]
 
1062729

TJ flares cost about 329.00 new for that price you can just about buy a 4" lift.
Click to expand...

Used flares are abundant and run from $50 to $100 a set.

To add a leaf is easy. Jack up the frame take off the shackles and main bolts.
Click to expand...

Umm, no, don't remove the shackles and main leaf hanger bolts for an AAL lift, it's wasted time. Leave the main leaf attached to the Jeep when you add the extra leaf.

J10@Mt.EdenKy, this putz is getting old and needs to either grow up or be banned by a mod. You are welcome here, but the juvenile posts are not.

I picked up a set of YJ front leaf springs and took them apart, cutting the eyes off each main spring. Then, using the two longest springs from each pack, add them to each stock leaf pack. Using springs from the front only gives more lift and ensures that you are increasing the spring rate equally around the Jeep.

When dissassembling the spring packs:
  • Lift the Jeep and support it by the frame
  • Remove all u-bolts and lift the axles up from the springs
  • Secure a large c-clamp on the leaf pack near the center pin
  • Remove the center pin and slowly release the c-clamp
  • Add the extra leaf according to length
  • Insert a new center pin and compress leaf pack with c-clamp, tighten center pin
  • Reassemble

You'll need to do something with the spring wraps/clamps to get the spring pack apart. On my jeep, I just cut the tops off with an angle grinder so the clamp looked like this: I__I which allows more droop as the leaves can seperate more, while minimizing the leaves fanning out. When I did this AAL to a buddies YJ, we heated the clamps and bent them open. When finished we heated them and beat them closed around the spring pack.

edited by: Bounty__Hunter, Mar 31, 2003 - 10:29 PM[addsig]
 

1062809

New thay are 329.00!! if you can get used one's good for you!!! If you add a leaf do it yourself don't pay for. Unless u got money to spend. It does't take much work.[addsig]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Handyandy
I just bought a '69 CJ5 and I need some assistance with tire size and lift recommendations
Replies
3
Views
7K
Handyandy
Handyandy
superj
finally, the kids say my jeep is a big jeep
Replies
12
Views
3K
Gennybro
Gennybro
7
Axle swap in a 78cj5
Replies
11
Views
5K
78CJ5
7
K
largest tire for a 06 rubicon no lift
Replies
12
Views
8K
jps4jeep
J
JeepNaked
New guy to the forum! quick questions...
Replies
19
Views
5K
Jason4x4
J
Back
Top