A Solution to a Problem when using an Add-A-Leaf - Trucks 4x4 @ Off-Road.com
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A Solution to a Problem when using an Add-A-Leaf
Publish date: Jun 30, 2001
By:  Jim Westcot
Source: Off-Road.com
Part of the six-inch lift I installed in my Bronco involved adding a leaf to each of the rear leaf packs. I found that my pack was already full in its stock format. That is, there wasn't room to add a leaf inside the bracket that held the leaves into a stack. I had to cut off the top of the bracket in order to get the leaf added to the pack. This still held everything together, except for the top leaf, the one that attaches to the shackle. With driving, soon the leaf pack started twisting away from the top leaf. A result of this was that my rear end got out of alignment. With the leaf pack twisted, the rear axle is no longer perpendicular to the truck, and the tires will stop tracking correctly. The solution I came up with was to take some stock steel, ¼ inch by 1¼ inches and cut four strips from it, each about 4½ inches long. Two ½ inch holes were drilled into each strip, where the outsides of the holes were 2 1/8 inches apart. Four grade 5 bolts were used, 5 inches by ½ inch. These were attached with lock nuts and large flat washers. The lock nuts permitted the bolts from having to be tightened too tight. This allows flexion of the leaves in the spring pack. The effect was to broaden the clamp which surrounds the leaves in the leaf pack. The strips were painted with black primer, then a red top coat was added to the surfaces which would be visible from the outside.

The add a leaf is painted red. Note the OEM bracket with the top cut off to make room for the leaf. The plates will hold the pack together but still allow the leaves to flex. The roundness of the bolt will also allow the bolt to roll if need be. A closeup of the inside of the bracket mounted on the passenger’s side.




By: Jim Westcot
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Source: Off-Road.com, 6/30/2001
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