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Do add a leaf last?

Old 09-12-2016, 01:58 PM
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Default Do add a leaf last?

I have read mixed reviews on Add a leaf lifts. Some people are saying they sag after a year because all the weight is on the one spring. But other people tell me they last for years no issues.

I keep thinking I should just to make a B-pack and be done with it. But I keep over thinking it.
Old 09-12-2016, 02:05 PM
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AAL's are not a good idea on 22 yr. old leafs if your going to lift it to 3" or so use a full coil/leaf/shock/hardware pkg. A Rustys 3" is under $500 for it with quality leafs, coils made in NA, if that is to much money then wait till you save a little more and do it right the first time.
Old 09-12-2016, 02:15 PM
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Thanks for the info, I'm mainly looking for a small 2" lift but 3" would be nice also.
Old 09-12-2016, 02:21 PM
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Same applies to a 2".
Old 09-12-2016, 02:37 PM
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If you go with building a bastard pack, an XJ/XJ pack does nicely. My build thread has some info on the set I built when I first lifted my XJ.
Old 09-13-2016, 07:03 AM
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I have decided to order a 3" lift kit from 4 wheel off road. It has coils, leaf springs and shocks. I priced leaf springs at the local pick a parts and they are $50 each that's stupid money to then have to put the work into making them work. Should be ordering the kit this week.

Thanks for the info.
Old 09-13-2016, 08:05 AM
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I just did a zone 3" lift with full leafs and went back and forth on this topic for a while. AAL is much cheaper but I decided that I didn't want to run the risk of having it sag in a year so just did the full leafs at the beginning.
Old 09-13-2016, 08:26 AM
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The zone kit looks nice and I found a place locally to pick it up for $510 add tax I'm out about $550 but I get it local. If I order it online its about $100 extra.

Still reading reviews on Zone and TrialMaster kits I do like those more then the others I have seen,.
Old 09-13-2016, 11:05 AM
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I had a Zone kit on one of my XJ's. It was a nice kit and I would definitely recommend it!
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Old 09-26-2016, 07:38 AM
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I ordered the Zone 3" lift with leaf springs. It should be here this week and was only $480 shipped to my door so not bad. I started spraying the bolts with oil hoping they come free with out breaking but not counting on it.
Old 09-26-2016, 12:34 PM
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Now the wait for the UPS driver


If that kit didn't come with an Adj. Track Bar you will need one of those also.

Last edited by Fred/N0AZZ; 09-26-2016 at 12:36 PM.
Old 09-26-2016, 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Fred/N0AZZ
Now the wait for the UPS driver


If that kit didn't come with an Adj. Track Bar you will need one of those also.

I didn't get a track bar and didn't think about it until last night. I have been looking around but it's now on my short list.

That and a lot of bolts I have tried loosing one so far and it broke off.
Old 09-26-2016, 02:14 PM
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I've had a 2" AAL on my xj for 2 years and 40+k miles. after it settled down a few weeks after install it hasn't moved since. I put 2" pucks in the front and it sits perfectly level. I carry a minimum of 100lbs of stuff at all times. I'm looking at an old man emu kit with everything front and rear to replace the AAL/pucks.

I gave $50 for a NIB rancho AAL and $20 for the pucks. I reused all of the factory hardware. if I had to pay full price for parts I would have done the OME setup to begin with. $70 for a 2" lift seems reasonable.
Old 09-26-2016, 04:33 PM
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You made the right choice! I have no experience with AAL but if you have worn out leafs. The AAL will be holding all the weight making them wear out quickly.. On the other hand, if you have newer leafs, it might be okay. Id rather just spend the extra buck and do it the right way. Zone is a good quality leaf spring as others have mentioned. Sister companies with BDS so it should impress(:

Last edited by offroadXJ1999; 09-26-2016 at 04:36 PM.
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