add a leaf install question and shock question

[mysticclam]

I was watching an episode of trucks last night and he put on some add a leafs without taking the spring off the truck, left both ends hooked up. Why do we not do this? Is it to do with the spring under axle configuration? Will it be really hard to get the leaf spring back on if I disconnect it from one end? Im talking about lining it up with the hole in the shackle.

second question, do i need longer break lines in the front to use a longer shock?
When i was putting in my 2 inch lift coils, the brake line was getting pretty taught and the shock mount seemed less than 2 inches from the buttom of the shock. Seems like a 2 inch longer shock would let it drop farther than I had it.

 

[mitch]

i quess it is a matter of preference what i did was basically what stacy did just take the u-bolts off, unhook the bottom shock bolt and remove the plate. and put the two add a leafs in between the existing ones. you should be able to fab up a little drop down bracket with out any prob. for your brake line, but in my opinion some stainless brake lines are a good investment. its really up to you

 

[timmac06]

I left both ends of the leafs hooked up when I did my aal.

 

[SplashMan]

I left both ends of the leafs hooked up when I did my aal.

Ditto...

 

[mysticclam]

Ok, I ended up taking the leaf spring off because my jackstand is too short and there wasnt alot of room to work. As I feared, it didnt line up anymore. I hooked the front up and then loosened the shackel in the rear and rotated it forward a bit, hooked the spring up. Of course it is an inch to far forward to line up with the center pin into the axle. Im thinking putting a floor jack under the center of the spring and jacking it up, when it tries to lift the truck that shackel has got to swing back to where it goes and I can tighten it up. Is this how you do it?

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Tim, when you put in the AAL, do both sides at the same time. Especially if you're unbolting them.

You'll have twist/racking/yaw issues cause one spring has more arc, if you don't. When you increase the arc of the spring it shortens the distance between the eyes.

Consider getting the Warrior 153 shackles. I'm supprised that shackles didn't come with your kit.

For the brake lines, I'm still using the stock ones, even with my Duff 2.5" lift, no problems.

 

[mysticclam]

so should the order be, hook up both springs at the front, hook up the ubolts to the axle on each side, then do the rear spring bolts? Im thinking Id still need to loosen the shackels in the back to get them to fit. Im figuring as soon as there is weight on them the shackel will have to swing back to where it is supposed to be as it is loose. Like a jack under the spring. I hope it will move back enough for the center pin to go where it needs to go too.
Here a high tech illustration

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Hmm, the shackle swings through an arc under driving conditions.

Bolting the front of the spring pack, then the U bolts sounds good. Then put your jack under the pumpkin so the whole assembly raises up to the point where you can swing the shackles forward and insert the rear bolts.

That's the way I put my new spring packs in, It went smooth as silk.

I'm not sure I understand your comment about the center pin

 

[mysticclam]

with the front hooked up, the center pin didnt line up anymore. Shorter ark means the middle has moved forward as well. I ended up hooking up the ends of the springs and jacking up the middle and as I did it moved the shackels just as I thought and the pins went right it. The axle never moved its where it was to start with (was on jackstands) Both shackels are at the exact same angle so I think everything is good. Its back down on tires now. It has a bit of drivers side lean which is funny cause it didnt before and the coils in front are new. I think its because the drivers aal had been in a week before I finished up this morning. Its probably settled. Also, I lost a sway bar bolt so it not bolted up on one side if that makes a difference. Lastly, I think the shock on that side may be shot. Gonna get new ones. Longer ones for the back for sure but I dont know about the front as I didnt use drop brackets so Ive really just changed the position in the cycle and dont think I need longer. I just have to say thank goodness my friend bought me a high lift jack at christmas cause no way I could have gotten the 33s on the back without it.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Pictures!

 

[mysticclam]

My garage is so small I cant get the whole truck in a picture. I will post some after I move it out front tomorrow morning.

 

[mysticclam]

I cant find the cable for my digital camera, so here are some crummy ones from my "camera" phone. Glad I didnt buy it for the camera feature.

 

['97 V8]

now get those gears installed so you can come out for some runs..