I was looking through the threads for a reference to someone who did an add-a-leaf on the rear of their truck. Can anyone direct me to where this is or fill me in on the details. i.e. where to order from, how easy to install, how much lift and how much does it increase bed capacity.

Thanx,

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Y2K F150 SC 4x4
Trition 4.6, 5 sp manual
Tow Package, Factory CD
Sliding rear window, 3.55 LS pumpkins

Mods: Lund Deflecta-shield II, K & N filtercharger

 

I did it two weeks ago. It wasn't too hard. The new bolt they gave me to attach the leafs together was over an inch too long. This was a problem trying to get enough separation between the leaf and the axle.

Other than that, if you have the right tools, it's pretty straight forward.

I got mine from 4 wheel parts wholesalers. The total lift in the rear was almost an inch. I'm not sure of the added weight capacity, but I'm sure it increased some.

 

TexasAg,

Do they have a website or how did you contact them? And what was the cost of the kit?

What is your association with agriculture, I'm an Ag engineer working in power and machinery design.

Thanks for the info

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Y2K F150 SC 4x4
Trition 4.6, 5 sp manual
Tow Package, Factory CD
Sliding rear window, 3.55 LS pumpkins

Mods: Lund Deflecta-shield II, K & N filtercharger

 

TexasAg~
just curious if your truck sits even with the spindles up front and the add-a-leafs out back. which is more cost effective, the add-a-leaf or rear blocks? i think i have decided to do the spindles instead of a body lift, so i'm probably going to need y'alls help after all. i have a "hook-up" at 4 wheel parts so hopefully i'll be able to get the spindles for a decent price. also, did you get the pro-comp spindles or the bullseye spindles? i believe the pro-comps are $415 while the bullseye spindles are closer to $600. just one more question, do you think i would have a problem running 33/12.5's with the spindles? sorry for all the questions, just need some help making up my mind. hope y'all have fun this weekend, sure wish i could make it!!

***JasoN***

 

whytknyt look thru the topics on this suspensions page for"97(said,its a 4x4 orp)yea right" info on add a leaves ,lift and price.As far as using blocks in the rear the taller the blocks the more wheel hop you will have the add a leaves will actually help control wheel hop (makes springs stiffer) but they will ride slightly stiffer.

 

Thanks for the info guys,

I ordered the Warn add-a-leaf set last night and will get it in about a week. i'll post the results of the install next week.


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Y2K F150 SC 4x4
Trition 4.6, 5 sp manual
Tow Package, Factory CD
Sliding rear window, 3.55 LS pumpkins

Mods: Lund Deflecta-shield II, K & N filtercharger

 

Whytknyt-
It's short for Texas Aggie, I graduated from A&M but not in AE. Glad to see you got your add-a-leafs. I hope you get shorter bolts than I did.

J-Rock-
Yes, the rear end sits just a bit higher than the front with my setup(I just took a level and put it on my bed to test). To the naked eye, it looks perfectly level, or at least my blind eyes. Here are the measurements in inches from the ground to the top of the arch of the fender:

Before:
Front
both sides - 34
Rear
both sides - 35

After:
Front
both sides - 37
Rear
both sides - 36

I'm probably going to add some 2" blocks in the rear as well to give it the stock front to rear height ratio. Oh yeah, longer shocks as well.

The guy at 4 wheel parts told me that Pro Comp bought Bullseye so the spindles are the one in the same. Mine came in a Pro Comp box and Bullseye instructions. Don't be fooled, buy the cheaper ones.

As for the 33s, I think so. I'm going to put 285s on mine in two months and I think they measure almost 33" high, but not as wide. Check the wheels and tires section b/c I'm not an expert on tires. They're talking about that all the time.

Let us know when you need some help, remember, I have the 18mm socket!

 

TexasAg,

I'll let you know how the install goes and whether I get the correct lenght bolts.

Thanks again, and Go Cyclones!



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Y2K F150 SC 4x4
Trition 4.6, 5 sp manual
Tow Package, Factory CD
Sliding rear window, 3.55 LS pumpkins

Mods: Lund Deflecta-shield II, K & N filtercharger

 

Texas Ag,

It looks like my kit came with the correct stuff. Since I don't have the ORP, I use the standard U-Bolts. Adding the leaf will give me the same spring stack as the ORP has.
Did you move the brake line hanger on the frame rail like is says, and what did you do about the e-brake. They have a set of instructions about moving the cable routing. Got me more confused than anything.

Thanks for any info!



------------------
Y2K F150 SC 4x4
Trition 4.6, 5 sp manual
Tow Package, Factory CD
Sliding rear window, 3.55 LS pumpkins

Mods: Lund Deflecta-shield II, K & N filtercharger

 

I was looking at my truck and the instructions list that the regular truck has 3 leaves on the rear and the ORP has 4. My truck has 4 but I don't have the ORP.

TexasAg, it looks as even with adding a 5 leaf I would have enough length left on the U bolts to make it fit. The leaf is about 5/16" and I have about 5/8" of spare thread on the U bolts. Were your similar to this and how many leaves did your truck have to start with.

If I add the extra leaf, will there be enough length in the stock shock? I have the HD shocks that came with the towing package. I really don't want to change the shocks if I don't have to. Most of the shocks I have seen are listed as stock, 2" lift, or 4" lift. I don't think I quite fit into any of these categories.

Last concern, it looks as if the additional coil might push against the strap clamp that holds the three leaves together in front of the wheel. I'm afraid that if I load the bed until it bottoms at the bump stop, the new leaf will shear the strap clamp off. Anybody else had this concern.

Thanks for any input.


------------------
Y2K F150 SC 4x4
Trition 4.6, 5 sp manual
Tow Package, Factory CD
Sliding rear window, 3.55 LS pumpkins

Mods: Lund Deflecta-shield II, K & N filtercharger

 

Whytknyt-
Sorry it took me so long to reply, I was in SA this weekend with the rest of the Texas Chapter.

Glad to hear the install went well.

No, I didn't remove any of the hoses or cables that the instructions mentioned. Actually, I didn't follow the directions much at all. It wanted me to completely take the leaf springs off the frame, BS!

I didn't have to replace the U-bolts either, I still have room for another leaf if I wanted. I started with 3 leafs, I think??

Don't worry about the shocks with a 2" lift. If you go over that, you might consider new shocks.

As for the clamp, that shouldn't be a big deal. I was considering going to the auto parts store to look for new clamps for mine anyway. Mine aren't rubbing but I might clamp all for leafs together.

 

I trimmed a little from each end of the leaf at the machine shop at work and they went in just fine. I put the stock shocks back in but was thinking about putting Warn black diamond shocks on the back. I think I'll follow a few of the shock threads and get some more info.

thanks for the help



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Y2K F150 SC 4x4
Trition 4.6, 5 sp manual
Tow Package, Factory CD
Sliding rear window, 3.55 LS pumpkins

Mods: Lund Deflecta-shield II, K & N filtercharger

 

I have a '97 4x4 and just upgraded the POS 265/70R17 Goodyears that came with the truck to 285/75R16 BFG's. Originally the guys at 4 wheel parts were going to do the add-a-leaf and crank up the torsion bars and do the front end alignment if there wasn't enough clearance. As it turned out there was, no rubbing at all and plenty of room, so they said they didn't do it because they didn't need to.

My question is what does the add-a-leaf and cranking the T-bars get me? Will it get me a couple of inches of height or should I just leave it alone (will it cause other problems - i.e. handling, suspension, ride???)

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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'97 F150 Lariat 4x4, 4.6L V8, 3.55 LS, 285/75R16 BFG AT TA KO's, 16x8 Weld Racing Typhoon's, K&N Airfilter, 4 Explorer Pro Comp ES 3000 Shocks, Superwhite Bulbs, Tinted Windows, Colonels Fiberglass Tonneau Cover painted to match, Tow Pkg, 6CD Changer

Mods to come: Billet Grille, Superchip, Outland Sport Bumber Guard

 

MAK 3-
You might get 1", but not much more. I would leave it alone, your setup will work fine as it is.

 

Thanks TexasAg!

I'm not 100% decided yet, but I think I will probably leave it alone since I have plenty of clearance and don't want to go through more hassle than I need to. I'll probably wait a year or so and get a suspension lift and do it right! Maybe the lifts will be a bit cheaper by then too! (yeah right!)