Off-the-shelf Add-a-leaf kits?

coreylubahn · Post by **coreylubahn** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 12:14 pm

Hi all,
After reading all the posts on this website (I really think I may have read them all) I am trying to decide the best option for me at this very moment. I am now leaning towards a tbar crank and something for the rear and then later doing a BL when it's time for new tires. Anyway, I do have a little 14 foot boat that I pull a lot so I'm not sure that the daystar shackles are the way to go for me. I read all the threads on the Boise Springworks kit, but it seems to have dried up early this year, pull it sounds like a pain in the butt to deal with anyway. So I looked on Summit's site and every lift company sells add-a-leafs, from Skyjacker, TM, Superlift, and on and on. Does anyone have an experience with any of these? I don't want to end up with a jarring ride like I once did (I had a S-10 Extreme that I lowered with 3 inch blocks and heated front springs....road like a bread truck). Are any of these add-a-leafs a good option? Thanks for any input.

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 12:17 pm

Look to your local spring shop. Have them build you a "SpringWorks kit"

You have all the information you need to show them from my website.

If you can not do that buy a long leaf, and a kidney belt

coreylubahn · Post by **coreylubahn** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 12:38 pm

So I just tell them that I need a three pack spring like this ....>(show them the picture) and they are supposed to magically know the lengths I need, the type of material I need, etc? Maybe I am making too much out of this, or maybe you all just know so much more than me that I can't comprehend what you're saying (I think that is more than likely it).

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 12:44 pm

copy these pics and take them with you maybe it will help them out

FOR PICS CLICK HERE

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 12:51 pm

coreylubahn wrote:So I just tell them that I need a three pack spring like this ....>(show them the picture) and they are supposed to magically know the lengths I need, the type of material I need, etc? ...

Print out the whole page. Tell them you want 1-2" lift and less sag when towing, then show them the pictures.

If they can't help you , find another shop because those people don't know their buisness.

Your local spring shop will likely know more than any of us about springs. They are the ones to talk to. We are merely offering you a means of describing what it is you need for them to put together.

And yes they are MAGIC ...as are any craftsmen in their field of expertise.

coreylubahn · Post by **coreylubahn** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:34 pm

HenryJ wrote: And yes they are MAGIC ...as are any craftsmen in their field of expertise.

'Tis true...tis true, and I didn't mean to offend anyone with a snappy comment. So by spring shop do you mean a place like Boubin, or are there specialized shops that actually make springs?

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:45 pm

coreylubahn wrote:...or are there specialized shops that actually make springs?

There are shops that build and re-arch springs.

Boise SpringWorks takes mild rolled strap steel, bakes it in a huge oven to a specific temperature {red hot} then dunks it in an oil bath to temper it.
It is cut to length , arched in a press, and tempered again if needed.

I don't know the process and don't really need to know all the specifics of metalurgy. I just watch and marvel at the process

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 2:19 pm

coreylubahn,

You're probably me, about 90 miles from a spring shop. No local shop to speak of \

Gonna have to do asearch about HJ's home town. We have 1 local exhaust shop and 1 place that will do machine work. I remember good spring shops where I grew up at

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 2:40 pm

f9k9 wrote:...about 90 miles from a spring shop. ...

It may be well worth the trip.

It is a 54 mile drive , one way, to Boise SpringWorks for me.

Retep · Post by **Retep** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 7:44 pm

I think I would spend the extra money on a Boise or similar custom set before I went with an off the shelf aal.
I was going to go with a short aal from summit, but I am glad I sprang (pun intended) for the Boise springs.

Pete

Bad_Ass_S10 · Post by **Bad_Ass_S10** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 10:53 pm

I have an add-a-leaf in the rear springs of my truck and you only gain the thickness of the spring ( about 3/4" ) but I have 4 12's in the bed of my truck and needed a little bit more from my springs due to the added weigh of the speakers and box, and have not had a bit of problems out of them, but they do make the rear ride a little bit stiffer but if you have weight in the bed or pull a trailer alot you never feel the difference

coffeedrnkr · Post by **coffeedrnkr** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:05 pm

Or you could be redneck cheapoes like us and add a fullsize chevy leaf to it, which adds as much or more than an aftermarket add a leaf and it was free.

http://www.s-10crewcab.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2375

2bunik · Post by **2bunik** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 12:45 pm

Not only for red necks .. since this mexican is thinking of doing your mod too. I just really am debating on turning the torsion bars.

coreylubahn · Post by **coreylubahn** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 6:40 pm

So I hardly ever haul anything but I do tow my boat some, but it is only a little 14 foot aluminum fishing boat (maybe 600 lbs total). Is this enough to justify the springs, or should I just do daystars and call it a day? I'm not sure that 600 lbs really draws the line between shackles and add-a-leaf does it? I'm thinking shackles sound much easier to do since I can order them in realitively cheaply, whereas I have no where to get springs made. How is the ride with the shackles? I have heard a lot of people say that the springs firm it up but what about with shackles? Does it get real rough? I'm near making a decision on this one very soon!!

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 7:01 pm

This is a pretty good thread- Shackles or Leaf Springs

coreylubahn · Post by **coreylubahn** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 11:34 am

I seem to be continually more confused. Just when I think one way is a good one to go someone brings up a different way, etc. So does 600 lbs constitute towing? At 600 lbs will there be a noticeable difference between doing shackles and doing springs? Considering that there is no spring shop around here I am really debating just doing shackles and being done with it but I don't want to create a dangerous situation either. I don't want to "create" a truck that is just an accident waiting to happen. Am I just over-analyzing?

Post by **HenryJ** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 6:20 pm

coreylubahn wrote:... Am I just over-analyzing?

Maybe? But I do that all the time

Light weight, the shackles will work fine.

Heck if you change your mind, I'm sure you can sell the shackles. Remember the 2" shackles will net about 1" of lift.

Retep · Post by **Retep** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 8:42 pm

coreylubahn wrote:...At 600 lbs will there be a noticeable difference between doing shackles and doing springs?

In my opinion, yes.... If you tow or haul, do springs. If your truck bed is merely an open top trunk, than go with shackles.

With my truck being a daily driver, sometimes I think my Boise springs are a little more than I need. But when I load it down, I am very glad I have them.

Bad_Ass_S10 · Post by **Bad_Ass_S10** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 11:14 pm

I agree with HJ. the shackles will be fine, its only 600#'s not 2000 - 3000, that is when you need springs, you probably dont even see the rear scwat with that boat,
the shackle will lift the truck up about 3/4 - 1 inch but still allow the spring to function like they do now, with an add-a-leaf it will stiffen the ride in the rear and you will feel more bumps kinda like comparing a Z06 vette to an 85 ford e250 van