Did you take the springs out of the truck or did you leave the main leaf hanging on the truck? If you're having problems then just remove the oem clips and put the after market ones on. If you want to reuse the oem's then you need to tighten the springs up to where they won't be straight yet and once they're tightened then hit on the clip directly to straighten the springs out (if you hit directly on the clip it will go above the main). Kind of hard to explain but they will work.

 

I ended up getting the Pro Comps (long ones) for a great deal (75 bucks, delivered), so I had to get extra hardware. This kit only comes with longer alignment bolts, so I ran into a similar problem. I ended up just making new clamps instead of trying to compress and fit the old ones. Turned out looking better anyway. As for the AAL debate, anything longer is going to give a softer and more flexible ride. As far as payload, adding a leaf is not going to give you extra payload. There is more to it than just the amount of weight in the bed. The powertrain/brakes are the number one limiters defining the payload for these trucks. And yes, everyones got a story of how they hauled 4000 lbs in the bed for 10 miles, ha. Just because you CAN do something does not make it a good idea.

 

Don't know where you did your research at but the job of an extra leaf is for additional payload, height is just an added bonus. A 54" piece of 323 x 3 will increase your payload by 600-800 lbs depending how it's arched and the distribution of the weight. You're correct as the longer leaf will give you a better ride. I've done 6 add a leafs today and number 1 reason is for extra payload. Lot of Super Dutys out here carrying way too much weight for their stock springs until I get done with them. Just curious as to where you would hear that an extra leaf gave no additional payload or if you just made that up.

 

KansasJoe is correct,
I also own and operate a spring manufacturing and fabrication company. A 3 inch wide x .360 material x 52 inch long leaf will produce between 825-950 lbs. of additional load carrying capacity if used as an add-a-leaf. The longer and thinner the leaf the better the flex and articulation it will provide. The shorter and thicker the leaf the less the flex. You may achieve the same carrying capacity but not the same ride quality. It is also best, but not required, to utilize the same thickness and width of leaves in a complete multi-leaf spring assembly. The exception being the tapered flat overload leaf.

A few tips to improve ride quality make sure that teflon tip inserts are used on the ends of the add-a-leafs. They reduce friction at the end of the leaf. When bending your retainer clips over the top of the main leaf, make sure not to crush them and touch the main leaf. Leave at least 1/8 inch gap between the clip and main leaf surface. This allows the leaves to flex freely and not bind.

Shotpeening is done to strenghten the tempered 5160 spring steel and remove imperfections such as heat reduction slag and scale. It also helps set the memory or arch of the spring and reduces premature sagging

This information comes right from the S.R.I (spring research industry). The Holy Grail to us in the spring manufacturing industry.

KSpencer is also correct .The actual placarded payload will not increase just because you add an extra leaf to the spring assembly. The axles, bearings, differential housing, rotors , etc all determine actual legal payload capacity. But you will however, achieve more payload capacity in your leaf spring assembly. Which is what everyone that adds a leaf into a stock factory spring really wants.

Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents worth.


Kevin
owner: Auto Spring Corp
&
Auto Spring Kits

Boise, Idaho

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