what size center pin for add-a-leaf?

[Cockatoo]

my add a leaf is coming tomorrow, i hear the center pin included in the kit wont work on my 98 explorer. im going to a spring shop tomorow that is gonna make me new center pins, what size and length center pin do i need to get???? also will i need longer u-bolts casue he is gonna make those too.


BTW i used the search funtion and didnt find anything......

 

[bmxking5]

U-bolts aren't needed for just add-a-leafs. I can't quite remember what size the center pin is. I'd personally just pull out the one you have and get one the same thickness. You can buy 1 foot long ones for a couple of bucks at Advance Auto Parts, Auto Zone, etc. That's where I got mine (then I cut it down)

 

['97 V8]

The center pin that comes with the kit is now the correct size. My pin was snug when i put it through the whole. Just make sure to torque everything to spec.

 

[Cockatoo]

so the center pin that comes with the kit will work then? then i just need new u-bolts. everyone tells me never to reuse u bolts. so im gonna spend the $25 and get new ones. anyone have a write up on the instal without unbolting the springs from the shackel or the frame, i hear people here have done it, but cant seem to find a write up on it.

 

['97 V8]

I dont know where you got the info of never reusing your u bolts. You dont comprimise the strength of the u bolts at all. All you do is remove the 4 nuts holding it on, then retighten when your done.

 

[LBarr2002]

There's definitely a thread around here with a complete install. I used it when I did mine over Christmas. The center pin was not right with my AAL, but I don't know when the pin was supposedly changed in the kit. I used a grade 8, 3/8" bolt, and I think it was 2 1/2" long maybe...don't really remember.

Edit: Here's the instructions I used: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97676

I didn't use a 2 1/2" long bolt...but I can't remember if that was too short and I used a 3" or if it was too long and I used a 2"...

 

[5.0L96Exp]

Explorer Pro Comp Add-a-leaf kit now comes with two sizes of center pin.. I have been told by a reputable spring shop that it doesn’t really matter which you use. The center pin is only there to hold the leaf pack together while you install it, the U-bolts is what holds things in place. Which makes sense if you look at the size of the center pin. Their pretty small, threaded all the way down and as such aren’t designed for shearing strength.

 

[pfeffer1728]

hey ****atoo where'd you get yours and how much? im looking into it for my 98 also, thought id get some kind of idea...post up when you get it installed and tell me what you think about it too that'd be fantastic. good luck w/ the install.

 

['97 V8]

summit racing, 30 bucks

 

[pfeffer1728]

yeah i just looked at that actually, which...is awesome...but it says 91-97, what about 98's? i thought 7's and 8s were basically exactly the same?

 

['97 V8]

they are the same

 

[Cockatoo]

got my kit today, it did come with 2 size center bolts. too bad i forgot my jack at my parents house, so i cant install them til this weekend. i got new u-bolts made to for $25.

 

[pfeffer1728]

hey be sure to post when you get it done, let us know what kind of difference it makes...pictures if you can too that'd be awesome. or you could just send me a private message, i really just wanna know how they work...cause ive never seen before/after. thanks

 

[GJarrett]

Explorer Pro Comp Add-a-leaf kit now comes with two sizes of center pin.. I have been told by a reputable spring shop that it doesn’t really matter which you use. The center pin is only there to hold the leaf pack together while you install it, the U-bolts is what holds things in place. Which makes sense if you look at the size of the center pin. Their pretty small, threaded all the way down and as such aren’t designed for shearing strength.

Theoretically true. However I have sheared several of the smaller center pins even when I've torqued my U-bolts. So use the larger ones.

 

[Fish Man]

the stock ones arent exactly strong as far as shearing goes. when i was installing my add a leafs my sawzall blade was really dull (i dont have a grinder so was using a sawzall) so i only cut it less than a quarter of the way through and wacked it sideways with a BFH and it went flinging off

 

[cybergasm]

[QUOTE='97 V8]summit racing, 30 bucks[/QUOTE]

What the part number for this kit at this price??

I look the other day and saw something like 100.00+ for a pro-comp aal

EDIT nevermind i found the kit. Don't know WTF i was looking at before

 

[5.0L96Exp]

Theoretically true. However I have sheared several of the smaller center pins even when I've torqued my U-bolts. So use the larger ones.

I agree... Bigger is always better..