3500 add-a-leafs

[redfuelrules]

Hi all.



I'm looking to beef up the rear suspension on my dually. I'm interested in the add-a-leafs offered by Skyjacker for our 03 thru 06 trucks. Has anyone here used them? They have a 2" short leaf kit and a 4" long leaf kit. Does anyone know much about them? I am more interested in increasing spring rate, not as much in adding height. Are these a viable option? Thanks in advance.



Ben

 

[NUKEMAN]

I had the Skyjacker 4" leafs on mine when I first installed the lift. I switched over to the replacement springs. They ride pretty stiff, but that's expected with an add-a-leaf. They will raise the rear approx. 3" over stock. As far as loaded, I could haul my 9" camper (1600 lbs. ) without any sag with the add-a-leafs. Stock, with just the overloads it sagged down to the overload perches. Keep in mind that because they arch the spring pack, your factory overloads are going to be about 3" further from those perches. Just lower the perches with spacers and you should be fine.

 

[Prairie Dog]

How 'bout air bags instead?

 

[jelag]

I went to www.summitracing.com and purchased the air bag kits they have available... . put them on 3 trucks using the air system from the pacbrake exhaust brake... .

I use a simple air regulator to drop or add pressure as needed for extra support... its only takes a minute to level the truck back out... .

 

[redfuelrules]

NUKEMAN,



What came with the 4" kit, one leaf per side, u-bolts, etc. ? How was the install?

I already have larger Energy Suspension bump stops for the (above the leaf pack) factory helper springs, since they improved the ride with my Air Lift air bags. The bags did not hold up well on my truck, so I'm looking for a more rugged solution, hopefully including one or two add-a-leafs & a set of old Timbrens I have off a 94 Dodge. While the Timbrens won't fit with the stock suspension, I believe they'll fit with the add-a-leafs.



Thanks everyone for the help and ideas

Ben

 

[redfuelrules]

Jim,



If the kits from Summit are Air Lift, keep an eye on the lower bag mounts. They have tended to loosen up and wander inward toward the differential on my truck

Also the upper bag mounts have started to cave in. I am not sure if the problems I had with the product result from them being under built, me overloading them, or installation error.

The bags worked very well while they lasted, which wasn't a very long time. I feel part of the reason why mine failed is due to the relatively short distance between the upper mounting point and the top of the axle housing & the lack of internal bump stops.



Just a friendly heads up

Ben

 

[GRoutzahn]

I got a pair of super springs for my truck. I've had up to 4500 lbs in my bed and they did a helluva job.

I like the fact that there isn't any compressor or wires to worry about like when using airbags.

Also, the customer service is some of the best I've ever dealt w/. The tech guy even gave me his cell number in case I had any problems installing them or anytime thereafter.

Just my two cents and worth checking into.

www.supersprings.com

 

[NUKEMAN]

NUKEMAN,



What came with the 4" kit, one leaf per side, u-bolts, etc. ? How was the install?

The kit comes with everything to lift the entire truck 4. 5". As far as the rear is concerned, it comes with add-a-leafs (one per side), U-Bolts, Nuts, and E-Brake drop bracket. I'm pretty sure if you were buying JUST the add-a-leafs it would come with just the leafs. You would have to buy new U-Bolts (never re-use them) and new nuts. They are the same thickness of the OEM leafs, but the ends are squared-off, instead of rounded like the OEM leafs.

 

[NUKEMAN]

I got a pair of super springs for my truck. I've had up to 4500 lbs in my bed and they did a helluva job.

Whoa... . And I thought 2500 lbs. in my bed was overdoing it.

Guess I pay too much attention to that sticker on the door jam.

 

[redfuelrules]

Thanks Groutzahn & Nukeman. I think I'll give skyjacker a call about those leafs.
My truck weighs 9500 lbs empty. I regularly haul 3 to 4 tons in the bed...

Ben

 

[Cattletrkr]

I went to Husky Spring and had them throw in 2 leafs per side. I also have 2 extra Hellwig overloads on top of the factory overloads and Air Lift bags to boot. 7500# of pin weight is not out of the ordinary for me.



The leafs are just whatever they had in stock that fit right, they cut/bent them to fit in the pack. When I put the truck back together, the springs didn't sag at all. I gained about 1. 5" in empty ride height, really didn't need that.



The airlift bags do have internal bumpstops. That's partly why I had to get the added leafs. I was always riding on the stops... not too smooth.



http://www.huskyspring.com



The St. Cloud branch is only 45 mins from me so I didn't have to order any of it online. Good place to work with.

 

[GRoutzahn]

Whoa... . And I thought 2500 lbs. in my bed was overdoing it.

Guess I pay too much attention to that sticker on the door jam.

Funny you mention it b/c my sticker has been gone ever since I got T-boned. And the dealer won't give out replacement ones.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Spacers

I made a pair of 2" spacer blocks out of square tube. They go under the overload stops and make the overload springs contact the perch quicker. I have a 4,000# truck camper on my 04. 5 3500 and it sits level. Very inexpensive and it works.

 

[redfuelrules]

I made a pair of 2" spacer blocks out of square tube. They go under the overload stops and make the overload springs contact the perch quicker. I have a 4,000# truck camper on my 04. 5 3500 and it sits level. Very inexpensive and it works.

Thanks for the good idea.