kyleag89 Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 I have 31s on my 89 MJ with stock very worn leaves in the rear. I haul 800-1400 pounds regularly so I need to get some more rear tire clearance. My 89 MJ I owned before the one I have now hauled 1800 lbs in it with no problems, and it had the D35 like my current MJ. I thought about just adding some chevy drop shackles to get another 1/2" or so and a better shackle angle...OR should I add a couple S10 leaves? I guess my dilemma is add shackles for a little lift or add a couple leaves for better load capacity and no lift? Would adding the main and second leaf of an S10 pack add any height or loose height because its SUA?
Geonovast Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 Have you considered getting new MT packs from Hellcreek?
kyleag89 Posted January 1, 2012 Author Posted January 1, 2012 I really wish that was an option but I am a struggling contractor! Shackles and new bolts would run $50($40 for shackles at autozone). I can get S10 packs for $24 bucks at the pick n pull, already have new centering pins, u bolts for $30 at napa, and spring clips for a $5. So the two options are pretty much the same price. I just want some opinions on which route I should go. Thanks for the input.
carnuck Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 Take the main leaf from an old XJ or MJ pack, cut the eyes off it and put it in #2 position (or any other leaf you can find) I did that to my '86 and hauled a GVW of 6,000lbs average to Ouray, CO and back.
kyleag89 Posted January 1, 2012 Author Posted January 1, 2012 Thanks carnuck.. I was thinking about using an S10 main leaf and possibly the second leaf too. I think an XJ leaf would be too soft short for the MJ. Did you gain any lift on your truck when you did it?
Pete M Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 HellCreek sells an AAL that does that (essentially an MJ main leaf with the eyes removed). comes with hardware too (clips and center bolts). An XJ main would work and provide no "lift" perse. but if your leafs are sagging, the added carrying capacity might bump it up a small amount from what it is now.
kawaboy13 Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 I have a Motion Offroad lift and theier add a leaf beefed my rear up a lot. You can get and add a leaf for like $59 I believe. Truck does not ride rough either :thumbsup:
carnuck Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 I got back to stock ride height and feel with mine. I did an AAL on my '86 longbox which increased it's load ability but rode harsh empty.
kyleag89 Posted January 6, 2012 Author Posted January 6, 2012 I picked up a set of Dakota leaves tonight. I got the main with eyes cut already and the 2nd-3rd leaves for $40 off craigslist. When I went to the guys house he had a set of 3" skyjacker coil springs for $40 also! I will post the end result of my bastard pack this weekend for future reference to anyone who wants to try it.
Eagle Posted January 6, 2012 Posted January 6, 2012 I like the XJ main leaf trick. You gain load capacity without lots of lift. Another option is that Rancho sells a full-length AAL for the XJ and MJ. It adds about 2" in an XJ, and about 1" in an MJ. I've used three of them. Last time I bought one was a few years ago and at the time it cost about $50 -- probably went up a bit since then.
kyleag89 Posted January 7, 2012 Author Posted January 7, 2012 Well I got it done last night. I added just the dakota main leaf and it got me 2" of lift and a much better ride quality. My rear leafs were very soft before and the truck would sway a little side to side.
Eagle Posted January 7, 2012 Posted January 7, 2012 Well I got it done last night. I added just the dakota main leaf and it got me 2" of lift and a much better ride quality. My rear leafs were very soft before and the truck would sway a little side to side. Is that 2 inches of lift over nominal stock height, or 2 inches higher than where you started? Either way, I'm glad it worked for you and that you're happy with it.
kyleag89 Posted January 9, 2012 Author Posted January 9, 2012 I'm not sure how close my truck was to stock height, but it measured 20 1/4" from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender flare before the AAL.
jpdriver1 Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 this is what I've got on one of my metric tonnes --- might deaver spring packs
kyleag89 Posted January 9, 2012 Author Posted January 9, 2012 That is A LOT of leaves for a MJ! :eek:
Blue88Comanche Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 Here is the stock (very worn) 4x4 pack that was on my MJ vs the MT Hell creek Stock Top MT Hell Creek Bottom
kyleag89 Posted January 10, 2012 Author Posted January 10, 2012 Nice pic! What a huge difference from the 4x4 to the MT springs. The 2nd and 3rd leaves are longer too.
kyleag89 Posted January 10, 2012 Author Posted January 10, 2012 Before the AAL I could only get about 1,000lbs in the bed. I have about 1,500lbs of scrap metal in it now and the leaves look great.
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