I am going to get some used 01 Leafs to be installed at the same time that I do the ground force kit. The shackles alone are abviously east to do but what about the leafs? Are they hard to swap out?

I have been searching for last few minutes and cant seem to get any details about swapping the leafs out. Is the rivets that have to be dealt with?

If I have to cut the rivets off what size bolt will I need?

Help a bother out Please!!!

Bob

 

You just have to unbolt them at the attachment points on the frame and axle. You shouldn't have a big problem if you put the axle on frame stands and jack up the frame. Unfortunately, it didn't go so smooth for me because the axle shifted on the stands and made it difficult to move the spring to the mounting points on the frame.... Because everytime I would move the springs forward, the jack stand would tilt. I will never do it again because of the back luck (or maybe lack of skills )

 

Bob,

I haven't done this, but watched Baby Jake several times. Do one side at a time, You will have to take off pass side exhaust bracket.

It would be easiest on a hoist with a stand under the differential.

Jim

 

Just do one side at a time........

Just be glad your not replacing the front hanger, that sucked and took awhile.

 

Bob, just curious, why the change out?

D-Day

 

I want the truck to sit ecxactly like my 01L did, I understand that ford changed the leafs on the 03's to increase payload capacity and hence raised the *** end up alot.

So I am going to use my ground force kit and 01 leafs to bring the rear end down to where I want it.

Bob

 

I have a set of '01 leafs just sitting here, any L brother wants them, pay shipping and they yours!

 

I'd like to have them dude! Could you shoot me an e-mail at eposey83@hotmail.com or get me on AIM at 'ef 1 fiddy'

Thanks bro.

 

Id be shipping from NJ 08757.

Guessing they weigh 40lbs each or so..

Check with your shipping company, and see if it's worth it for you.

My email - chris03hd@comcast.net

 

Did this exact thing on my 2003. It was pretty simple, just take your time and do one side at a time. Just a note you may have to swap out the shims and then rotate them to get your driveline angle back. I say this because I had to since just the shackles by themselves were causing vibrations. Others didn't run into this, but it makes it alot easier if you do it now instead of later. Good luck! It makes for a nice change.

 

No rivets to worry about unless you are replacing the hangers (ewww)

Like previously stated, do one side at a time.

I found it very easy to use jackstands on the frame/trailer hitch. Then use your floor jack to lift the side your working on. Use your rotor to hold the axle up with the floor jack(not the disk part, use the lip on the outside of the disk[close to the lugs]).

Now you have your axle supported, truck supported. Now start unbolting and pull the leafs out.

Put other leaf in.
NOTE: The bolt that keeps the link together, in the center of the leafs, needs to line up with the hole in the flat surface of the axle.
Bolt it up. TQ em down. U bolts should be at 60 ft/lbs. And do the same for other side.

I didn't have to pull my exhaust.

I had 02 leafs put on my truck by a suspension shop and this is how they did it.

The ride was too soft and I got axle wrap/wheel hop, so I put my 04's back on the same way I watched them do it. Although, it took them 30 minutes and took me 2 hours.

So now I have my stiff ride back, no axle wrap/wheel hop, then installed some drop shackles.

Hope this helps. Feel free to PM me...