[4.8Silv4x4]

Stared at the truck for about an hour trying to figure out how to do this safely. Is there an easy way I am missing?

 

[DirtyBlackHD]

Lift the truck up enough to get some good clearance between the uncompressed spring and axle. put a C clamp on the pack, remove the pack bolt. Then walk the clamp loose.
Reverse process.

 

[4.8Silv4x4]

Thanks bro :shake: I know you have done this probably a million times so I'll take your word!

 

[DirtyBlackHD]

Just be sure to put adequate jack stands under the truck. If you want something a little safer via lower = more stability or if you can't get enough lift out of the jacks or jackstands try this:
Lift truck by rear axle, remove tires. Put jackstands under frame. Lower the axle until it is not under tension. Unbolt the U bolts and lower the axle instead of lifting the truck. Then, you can C Clamp the leaf springs and commence.

 

[MaXXis85]

what he said ^

 

[4.8Silv4x4]

Also, do they make longer pack bolts? It seems I will be out of threads after I put the spring on.

 

[DirtyBlackHD]

The AAL's should come with some. If they don't I'd just go to a local 4wd shop, spring shop(18wheeler place usually), or last resort autozone types. If they are super long, install the nut completely and then grind the excess threads off. Of course, if you need to back the nut off, it will fix the thread damage from grinding.

 

[bggrnchvy]

Just be careful with the grinding as most supplied u-bolt nuts are nylock, if you cut to aggresively you will heat the u-bolt enough to melt the nylock and defeats its thread locking purpose.

 

[By-Tor]

You said that you have 12 inches of lift. Do you already have lift springs? If you do, then Add-A-Leafs won't help since they won't be arched enough to effect your lift springs. Add-A-Leafs are only meant to be used with stock springs.

 

[chevy_man]

All the add-a-leaf's I've done we just used a regular grade 8 bolt and cut the threads off. We did have one break after a buddy stood a bronco on it's nose after jumping it about 10 ft. in the air. (junkyard bronco + 350 hp 351 = something teenagers should not drive!:evil: ) It didn't really bother us becuase it hit hard enough to bend the axle housings so we figured that had something to do with it :think:

 

[vic_V8]

mike, you could have just called me, I've done 'em before

 

[Cracker]

You said that you have 12 inches of lift. Do you already have lift springs? If you do, then Add-A-Leafs won't help since they won't be arched enough to effect your lift springs. Add-A-Leafs are only meant to be used with stock springs.

He'll gain the height of the thickness of the spring.

 

[4.8Silv4x4]

mike, you could have just called me, I've done 'em before

well its still in the garage...call me

 

[MotoHead]

Kind of off topic but when do you plan to get the 38s?

 

[4.8Silv4x4]

Kind of off topic but when do you plan to get the 38s?

Well, the truck is on hold for a bit, my Pontiac GTO goes in for a paint job next week and i will be concentrating on that for the summer. Probably start working on the truck more during winter time.

 

[chevelless502]

Mike that truck is going to be HUGE after you do all this to it. Damn. How ya getting by with the cops not hasseling you? I really wanna put a body lift on mine with my 6" pro comp lift but dont need the cops on me.
Just go by what the law said on putting in the aal's and you should have any troubles.

Andy