gonna but my pro-comp aal on tomorrow on my 2004 f150 lariat. just wondering as far as the leaf retention pieces that you are supposed to bend out of the way to install the leaf, is it really as easy as putting a pry bar on them and bending?

Thanks,
David

 

Shouldnt be any bending other than when you reinstall the center bolts and u-bolts. I just took off u-bolts and center pins. Then placed the aal (took some patience) finger tighten them to hold all together, then a big c clamp to bring everything together as much as possible. Retighten center bolts and then i just used an impact gun and tighten everything together with the u-bolts.

 

did you place the add a leaf under the top leaf like the instructions said? if so did you just slowly slide it in?

 

You place it on top of the overload leaf at the bottom of the pack.. You can't just slide it in because of the centering bolt.

You need to clamp the leaves together and take off the u bolts (2 c clamps are required). Remove the center bolt running through the leaf pack and then slowly loosen your c clamps. Once the clamps are off you can put your AAL between the bottom overload leaf (shortest leaf) and the 3 or 4 leafs you have above it...C Clamp everything back together with the AAL installed... Put your new center bolt through and tighten... (Let the c clamps bring the pack together, not the center bolt.) once everything is tight, put your new u bolts on and your done. Re-check all your bolts after 20 miles, then 100 miles..

 

^^^do this^^^ do not tear apart your leaf pack...

 

hmm, maybe it's time a sticky is made. I'll take pics when i install mine. just out of curiousity (made it's because i went to school for engineering) but why did you guys start doing it this way versus how the manufacturer recommended it to be done.

 

There should be no need to remove the leaf pack if you do it this way... I've done it this way on all my trucks.. Usually, if you stand back and look at something, you can logically see the steps necessary for the most efficient method.

The only thing that will deviate the most direct (efficient) course of action, is the lack of resources to do so.
The manufacturer needs to account for safety as their #1 concern. They "should" also account for the lowest number of resources available to the consumer as their #2 concern. This can end with seemingly unnecessary steps that are usually stressed to host the broad range of circumstances that the manufacturer needs to account for. Some manufactures recommend professional installation only, but from a marketing standpoint, this will hinder sales and growth potential. The words "easy" and "basic" are key marketing terms that sell. These words also affect the overall design of a product..

If you have ever seen the show "Trucks" you may have noticed the never ending supply of tools "resources" that most of us will never have. They do make things look very easy on the show this way, yet unrealistic to the average consumer.. Since most of us will not purchase $200,000 worth of equipment to install a $100 part, the manufacturer usually takes this into account when drafting the instructions...

When this procedure is recommend here on the forum, a lot of times its implied that you have a basic understanding of tools and some mechanical skills... If you started a thread saying "what's a hammer? I wanna change my spark plugs", I would likely advise you to head to a mechanic.

 

Makes sense as for aal orientation long end forward right?

 

hey guys, got one together but the u-bolts do not stick through the nuts when tight. any ideas? didn't think i needed longer ubolts with this kit.

David

 

Apparently, you do.