Add a leaf
04-24-2014, 07:07 PM
#21
Senior Member
Yeah the kit includes Kwik Clips, which are:
So it looks like you could just cut those old ones off and replace them with this new Kwik Clips.
Also, I got some specifics on this Add A Leaf for our trucks.
The overall length of the add a leaf is 58-1/2” This is good, this is the exact length I was hoping for.
This thickness is
.401 in on the 091 part number
.447 in on the 092 part number
.499 in on the 093 part number
This is the small metal clip that goes around the leaves of a leaf spring, usually about 1/4 of the way down the length of spring. They are intended to keep your leaves in-line and to keep them from spreading too far away from the main leaf in the event of a large bump in the road, dip or jump. They are a simple 2 piece design that can be installed in minutes.
Also, I got some specifics on this Add A Leaf for our trucks.
The overall length of the add a leaf is 58-1/2” This is good, this is the exact length I was hoping for.
This thickness is
.401 in on the 091 part number
.447 in on the 092 part number
.499 in on the 093 part number
04-25-2014, 12:29 PM
#22
Senior Member
Hit an unfortunate road block to the AAL installation. The General Spring AAL is really long and designed to be the #2 spring. As a result, the whole leaf pack needs to be removed to install them because there is no way that I can think of to remove the clips on each end that hold the current #1 and #2 springs together. If anyone has any ideas I am open to suggestions.
"the kwik clips are an aluminum 2 piece clip so you can cut off your factory riveted clips and replace with these."
You should be just fine to cut them off.
These are very inexpensive shipped to my door.
I'm probably going to do this myself next paycheck, though I'd love to see pictures of your setup installed before I pull the trigger.
The following 2 users liked this post by Kytann:
Driftboater (04-27-2014),
Half_ton (04-25-2014)
04-27-2014, 11:00 PM
#23
FlyFisher
Sorry for the delayed response, thanks for the great suggestions. Work took me out of town this weekend so I haven't started on this project, but there was great fishing involved so it isn't all that bad.
Wish I would have read these great suggestions before I bought 2 new bolts for the front leafspring mount. A friend recommended cutting off the old bolts. So I planned to loosen the nuts, tap the bolts over to give enough room to get a hacksaw or saws-all in there to cut the heads off, slide the bolts out on the body side where there is more room, and remove the pack. Now I have to reconsider with the angle grinder idea.
FYI, I spoke to a Ford Tech when I bought the bolts to find out if there was any reason the bolts were installed in such an inconvenient, retarded way and he said no. So if I go with the bolt cutting plan, I will install the bolts in the opposite direction in case I ever have to remove them in the future.
The springs are 58" long and they only shipped a pair of kwik-clips. I am going to see if I can reuse the factory ones if I cut the bolts.
Wish I would have read these great suggestions before I bought 2 new bolts for the front leafspring mount. A friend recommended cutting off the old bolts. So I planned to loosen the nuts, tap the bolts over to give enough room to get a hacksaw or saws-all in there to cut the heads off, slide the bolts out on the body side where there is more room, and remove the pack. Now I have to reconsider with the angle grinder idea.
FYI, I spoke to a Ford Tech when I bought the bolts to find out if there was any reason the bolts were installed in such an inconvenient, retarded way and he said no. So if I go with the bolt cutting plan, I will install the bolts in the opposite direction in case I ever have to remove them in the future.
The springs are 58" long and they only shipped a pair of kwik-clips. I am going to see if I can reuse the factory ones if I cut the bolts.
04-28-2014, 01:17 PM
#24
Senior Member
Sorry for the delayed response, thanks for the great suggestions. Work took me out of town this weekend so I haven't started on this project, but there was great fishing involved so it isn't all that bad.
Wish I would have read these great suggestions before I bought 2 new bolts for the front leafspring mount. A friend recommended cutting off the old bolts. So I planned to loosen the nuts, tap the bolts over to give enough room to get a hacksaw or saws-all in there to cut the heads off, slide the bolts out on the body side where there is more room, and remove the pack. Now I have to reconsider with the angle grinder idea.
FYI, I spoke to a Ford Tech when I bought the bolts to find out if there was any reason the bolts were installed in such an inconvenient, retarded way and he said no. So if I go with the bolt cutting plan, I will install the bolts in the opposite direction in case I ever have to remove them in the future.
The springs are 58" long and they only shipped a pair of kwik-clips. I am going to see if I can reuse the factory ones if I cut the bolts.
Wish I would have read these great suggestions before I bought 2 new bolts for the front leafspring mount. A friend recommended cutting off the old bolts. So I planned to loosen the nuts, tap the bolts over to give enough room to get a hacksaw or saws-all in there to cut the heads off, slide the bolts out on the body side where there is more room, and remove the pack. Now I have to reconsider with the angle grinder idea.
FYI, I spoke to a Ford Tech when I bought the bolts to find out if there was any reason the bolts were installed in such an inconvenient, retarded way and he said no. So if I go with the bolt cutting plan, I will install the bolts in the opposite direction in case I ever have to remove them in the future.
The springs are 58" long and they only shipped a pair of kwik-clips. I am going to see if I can reuse the factory ones if I cut the bolts.
Good luck.
05-01-2014, 01:19 PM
#25
One thing I never liked about Add A Leafs was that the universal ones were so short. To work well, especially for helping to control axle wrap, they should be as almost long as the main spring.
Like this:
Fortunatly, the guys over at the Ford Raptor Forums seem to have figured out a solution. My plan has been to go this route if I ever needed to add weight capacity in the back. Part of me would love to do it just to get rid of the lift block.
And then I run accross this thread
And it looks like some company has finally wised up. I wonder if these new springs are really as long as the ones in the Raptor thread are?
Once they are installed I would love a close-up picture of the ends like the one I posted above so see if they really are as long.
Like this:
Fortunatly, the guys over at the Ford Raptor Forums seem to have figured out a solution. My plan has been to go this route if I ever needed to add weight capacity in the back. Part of me would love to do it just to get rid of the lift block.
And then I run accross this thread
And it looks like some company has finally wised up. I wonder if these new springs are really as long as the ones in the Raptor thread are?
Once they are installed I would love a close-up picture of the ends like the one I posted above so see if they really are as long.
05-01-2014, 01:29 PM
#26
Senior Member
All I know is what I posted, which I got those answers by emailing them. They have a contact info on their site.
If you know the length of spring you want, they'd probably be able to cut it for you.
If you know the length of spring you want, they'd probably be able to cut it for you.
05-01-2014, 04:06 PM
#27
FlyFisher
I don't know either but I'd give'em a call, they were very helpful when I called. I won't be able to get to this mod until next week at the earliest. Heading out this weekend to try and catch some northern pike on a fly rod for the first time... life is good.
05-09-2014, 10:28 AM
#29
FlyFisher
FYI, when I told him I had just enough room to use a pipe wrench to bend the edges of the outside OEM kwikclips, he suggested doing that and sliding the lower leaf springs out, leaving the main top spring in place. After removing the lower leaf springs, he suggested bending the kwikclips straight up and drilling the appropriate size holes in them for a bolt. Position/allign them in place under the top spring and secure them using a bolt across the top rather than bending the kwikclips over the top spring- which would be very difficult considering the space constraints. He did this when he added leafsprings to his beast of a Jeep he custom built. I have to get under there to see if this is possible and see what size bolt would fit (1/2"??). Another thing he mentioned is the type of kwikclips sent with the add-a-leaf kit tend to slide towards the axle with vibrations and contractions over time because there is nothing holding them in place or the leafsprings aren't contoured wider towards the center.
Last edited by Driftboater; 05-09-2014 at 10:43 AM.
05-09-2014, 11:45 AM
#30
Senior Member
My plan is to just go without kwik clips. Combined with my longer rear shocks I will be installing I will end up with more droop travel. That's how I did it in my previous truck.
Not recommended for towing though. I plan on doing alot of off-roading with them.
Not recommended for towing though. I plan on doing alot of off-roading with them.