I did think about sumo springs and a few other solutions,but I abuse my truck with weight quite a bit so helping out the suspension And piggy backing what’s already there seemed like the way to go on the relatively cheap. I think I’ll like it 🙂
OP,does your ride sit level or squat lower now?

 

So is your truck ride stiff with the add a leaf? I have a 3" rear block in mine, and am stepping up from a 4" lift to a 6" lift. Bought the front spacers from a guy who switched to a lifted strut. But want to add 1" - 1 1/2" to the rear. I was thinking add a leaf to keep any axle wrap out. I have Bilstien 5160's on my truck that can handle up to 2" more lift. I have a 2wd truck, and they are from a newer 4wd truck.

 

I thought the 5160’s were only built for 2” max above stock ride height? As far as I know Bilstein only have the 5100’s option for up to 6” lifts. I could be wrong. Might want to check that out though. You might be using up that extra 2” already.
As far as the leaf springs I can’t comment on the ride just yet. I have a set on the way and will give my thoughts after break in. My thoughts are that with quality rear shocks and the add a leafs,the truck will ride better than stock.

 

Damn,just found these...
https://www.partsengine.ca/bilstein-...r-p-60757.aspx
had I seen these earlier,I might’ve opted for them over the fox 2.0

 

5160's can handle 0-2 inches of lift. The 09 trucks have the shocks behind the axle, and that location makes them 3" longer than my 08, once you also add the fact that mines a 2wd, and they are made for the 4wd. So I can do up to 5 inches of lift. With the 3" of lift I have now, I am at stock length for the 09 4wd. Their shocks are longer.

 

The Bilstein shock takes any added harshness out of the ride. I don't notice it being stiff, but I also have a lot of weight in the bed.

 

if you don't carry around several hundred pounds of weight in the bed all the time, adding a leaf is going to result in a stiffer ride. I'm going the block route mainly to level the truck when hauling our TT. Just enough squat now with the WDH that a block adding an inch to an inch and a half should take that out.

 

I just wanted to add my impressions on installing my add a leafs and how they feel with the fox 2.0 shocks. I got them from stage 3 motor sports with a 4” rear block kit and had them installed in about three and a half hrs. The leafs themselves are advertised for a 1 1/2” height gain. I gained 1 1/4”. The leafs themselves are rated at 950 lbs of extra load support.
Once I finished installing them I took it down to a road that’s in rough shape and cruised along at 60km hr “40 mph?” And I couldn’t believe how well the *** end behaved! It rides way better then the stock suspension with no add a leaf. It really makes me wonder why ford and every other truck manufacturer doesn’t put an extra leaf with better shocks in. They could probably bump up there GVWR from factory. Glad I went with the AAL’s.

 

I can tell you exactly why they don't: because they've calculated that the extra expense won't translate to a large enough increase in revenue to make it worthwhile.

 

yeah that would be my guess as well. It’s just a shame the stock suspension rides like crap. Every truck I own from here on in will get a suspension upgrade as it’s first mod.