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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Roanoke
Posts: 15
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Leaf Spring "Add-a-Leaf" Help
Hello All,
First post here. I've finally gotten around to rebuilding my Dad's 71 GMC K15 4x4. I've come to the front leaf springs and he bought a Superlift 2500 & 2509 add a leafs to give the truck a slight lift. When I pulled the front leafs off (which are 2 leafs and mounted above the axle) I put it beside the add a leaf and it looks WAY off. It doesn't seem possible to get this extra leaf in the pack because of the length and arch difference. Am I missing something here? Do I have the correct "add-a-leaf" set? Summit and Jegs both said it will but i'm doubting it now. I feel at this point it would be easier to go with new lift leaf spring packs like the Tuff Country ez-ride. As you can see in the picture, the existing leaf is almost flat and the add-a-leaf has a significant arch. Has anybody else run into this problem? I apologize if this is redundant. Thanks in advance |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Roanoke
Posts: 15
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Re: Leaf Spring "Add-a-Leaf" Help
Sorry about the sideways view, not really sure what happened there..
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#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road.
Posts: 2,629
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Re: Leaf Spring "Add-a-Leaf" Help
Very well may fit, appears it needs to be compressed. I purchased a set of Helwig Progressive overloads. Over the course of 10 years using them and then taking them off my truck sits a bit higher in the rear.
Hellwig is a great company to deal with and have been doing this for decades. No install instructions with those? Send em back, in my mind. |
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#4 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Leaf Spring "Add-a-Leaf" Help
That's how the Add-A-Leaf lifts the truck. They serve to pull a bigger arch out of existing springs. The springs will also serve to straighten the Add-A-leaf some. You have to clamp them and the spring pack together to assemble. If you want a better ride then certainly go with the Ez-Rides
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,814
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Re: Leaf Spring "Add-a-Leaf" Help
Did the add-a-leafs come with any instructions? Looks like it should install directly under the main leaf. What I have done in the past is clamp existing spring pack and then remove the center pin, disassemble pack. Assemble spring pack with new leaf in proper location using a long bolt that will reach through all the leafs. Bolt should be fully threaded. You could also use a piece of all thread double nutted at one end to create a bolt. Draw the pack together using the bolt and a nut. Clamp pack, remove bolt and replace with new center pin. Will probably have to trim excess off of new center pin bolt.
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Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746 |
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#6 | |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,647
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Roanoke
Posts: 15
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Re: Leaf Spring "Add-a-Leaf" Help
Quote:
I picked up a piece of all thread rod, nuts, and washers about 10 minutes ago to do just that. I’ll tackle that tomorrow. Thanks for the help! |
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,814
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Re: Leaf Spring "Add-a-Leaf" Help
Great. Post an update on how the install went!
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Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746 |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Roanoke
Posts: 15
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Re: Leaf Spring "Add-a-Leaf" Help
Update:
Pulling the springs together with all thread and clamps worked like a charm. I appreciate the help! Here's a comparison picture of the spring with the add-a-leaf and the stock spring. Quite a difference. |
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Posts: 337
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Re: Leaf Spring "Add-a-Leaf" Help
I would have put the add a leaf between the 2 stock leaves so that they are in order longest to shortest.
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1972 GMC K2500 Super Custom Matt |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: South East Ohio
Posts: 644
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Re: Leaf Spring "Add-a-Leaf" Help
When I rebuilt my leafs, I cut the extra length off the bolt, leaving a small bit, and peened the end of the bolt. The nut will still come off, but not of it's own accord.
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Roanoke
Posts: 15
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Re: Leaf Spring "Add-a-Leaf" Help
I did end up cutting a considerable amount off the new bolt, peening might not be a bad idea!
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Roanoke
Posts: 15
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Re: Leaf Spring "Add-a-Leaf" Help
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,814
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Re: Leaf Spring "Add-a-Leaf" Help
Glad everything went well. The center pin just locates the axle once the spring is installed on the vehicle. Not really any sort of load put on it.
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Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746 |
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