JohnQ Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 What is the best way to tackel an Add-a-leaf kit? All my experience is with jeep tj's, I have never messed with leaf springs before. Where is the best place to buy new U-bolts? What size? Can I buy new spring clips for the aal kit, my kit is missing two? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comancheman Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 you can get u bolts at any auto parts store just bring the old ones and they can match them up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 www.huskyspring.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 the best way to tackle an AAl is not to do it IMO. I have AAL's and after 2 years they've sagged. my brother's lasted 20,000 miles (less than a year and a half he drives so much) before they've managed to sag to stock height. Use the other's suggestions, and then find an upgrade in the next year or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnQ Posted June 2, 2007 Author Share Posted June 2, 2007 How many spring clips do I need to do an AAL? I only have two, am I suppose to have four? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 2 per side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 You can get away with one per side. My 88 has been that way for years. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnQ Posted June 3, 2007 Author Share Posted June 3, 2007 Do you guy's think I can get away with using the stock U-bolts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 I'd never reuse u-bolts. they stretch when you first put them on...they're no good anymore IMO. buy new, or consider these u-bolts temporary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnQ Posted June 3, 2007 Author Share Posted June 3, 2007 I'd never reuse u-bolts. they stretch when you first put them on...they're no good anymore IMO. buy new, or consider these u-bolts temporary. Do I need longer U-bolts or can I pick up a stock set from the auto parts store? Is there a rear brake line I can get that will work from another truck? I think I read somewhere on here that I could use a dakota rear brake line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 yeah late 80's or early 90's dakota brake line i guess. buy ones that are like 1/4" longer. if you can't find them, ask someone else on the group to get them and send them to you..put the old ones on in the meantime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnQ Posted June 3, 2007 Author Share Posted June 3, 2007 Where do you put the AAL spring in the spring pack? I'm sitting about an inch shorter in the rear. Should I bother with the aal's or just get a 2" cherokee shackel to level it out? How much lift will the aal from a 3" kit will I get. Is it closer to 2"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 If you get a long or "full-length" (they aren't really full-length) AAL, it goes directly beneath the main leaf, unless your seond leaf is longer than the AAL in which case the AAL goes in the #3 position. You want the leaves to decrease in length in sequence. Don't bother with short, or "half-length" AALs, Those are the ones that have generated the AAL reputation for a stiff, choppy ride. If all you want is to make up the 1" that you're down in the back, I'll suggest the Rancho AAL that's listed in their catalog for the MJ. You'll notice they claim 2-1/2" -- but the same kit is also listed at 2-1/2" for the XJ. This is impossible. I called Rancho awhile back and asked. Spoke with a nice engineer chick, who went and checked with a couple of her colleagues, and the final answer was that it's 2-1/2" in the XJ and about 1-1/2" in an MJ. Perfect for leveling out an older truck, picking up a 2WD if you convert to 4WD, or just adding a bit of extra load capacity without getting into a "lift." How many spring clips do I need to do an AAL? I only have two, am I suppose to have four? Two is enough, but four is better. www.huskyspring.com BTW, MJ u-bolts do not interchange with XJ u-bolts. To further complicate the issue, both are metric. XJ u-bolts are 12mm (a hair less than 1/2" and MJ u-bolts are 14mm (approx. 9/16"). This makes the guys in spring shops go nuts. I've pretty much settled on 1/2" u-bolts from a commercial truck spring shop for both XJs and MJs. That way I don't have to keep two sizes around, and I'm comfortable that a new 1/2" u-bolt is as good as a rusted, bent, battered old 14mm u-bolt out a rusted, bent, battered old MJ. Anything is better than those cheap 7/16" "gold" plated u-bolts you see in the aisles at Pep Boys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnQ Posted June 7, 2007 Author Share Posted June 7, 2007 Do I put these back on after I add the AAL or do the cheesy little spring clips replace it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnQ Posted June 27, 2007 Author Share Posted June 27, 2007 Does anyone have the dimensions of a stock U-bolt for a dana 35? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWLONGSHOT Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 2 and 9/16 IIRC. DEFINEATELY buy new UBOLTS!! CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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