codymccann

just finished lifting the front of my 88 Cherokee,now i am on the rear and i have no experience with leaf springs anybody have advice on an easy installation of the A-A-L.

BamaXJ

Yeah, I know all about AALs. Don't use them.

jeepjerry

I do it one side at a time. with the body on jackstands and a jack under the axle, take the ubolts off one side and drop the axle down making sure your brake line is unhooked or long enough. use a big c-clamp on the leaf spring right near the center bolt. take the center bolt out and unthread the c-clamp. then with the AAL in, line up the new center bolt while clamping the spring pack together with the c-clamp and tighten the center bolt up. then do the same on the other side. Ive also used the axle and jack to compress the spring pack together but its not as safe.

the reason i say to do it one side at a time is that when the u-bolts are undone at both sides, it is hard to keep the axle up on the jack and manuever it around unless you have help.

paroxysym

id just pull both packs and have them out and ready to work on. make sure you have something for the rear axle to rest on like a spare set of jackstands. for the AAL i would honestly add an extra stock leaf to the pack to support the AAL and extend the lifespan of it. CJ7-TIM did that and his supposedly lasted awhile. im doing it to mine currently.

mike albo

x2 don't use them spend the extra cash and get a full pack.

codymccann

alright thanks for the help, also i've heard to stay away from shackle kits, any reason?

paroxysym

i dunno why everyone says dont use them. if you install them properly and do the install right- like adding an extra leaf for support. they will def last awhile. its a low budget was of lifting your jeep and if done right can last awhile. i mean my RE AAL has been in over 2 years and it hasnt sagged that much and ive wheeled it and flexed it hard 3 times in the past few months. that and the PO towed a boat on it.

shackle kits on stock leaf packs will cause sag pretty quickly if you plan on wheeling. just driving around, not so much.

codymccann

would an AAL on a stock pack work with a shackle kit or should i just get a new spring pack?

jeepjerry

You would be fine with an AAL in stock springs while adding lift shackles.

paroxysym

yea you should be ok. if you can throw an extra leaf in the pack with the AAL.

Cherokee 4.0

with aal and shackles, the shackles will flatten that pack in no time

C2TheJ

so this weekend i took the stock springs off a 2000 durango and removed all the leafs from the upper leaf (the one with the bolt eyes). and i simply just put my upper leaf on those and removed all of my stock lower leafs. added a 2-2.5" block and bam! 6 inches of lift. the ride is a little rougher and i will need a longer shock asap. but it worked perfectly. i will add pictures when i get off work.

muddpigg

did you say "added a 2-2.5" block"? prepare yourself for spring replacement in the near or so future. lifting blocks are known to ruin leaf springs

The Blacksmith

I reccomend the bastard pack, its pretty straight forward and really cheap. I did 3 inches of lift in the back for less than 100$
40 for s 10 springs 42 for ubolts and center pins, and I'm about to buy some new spring clamps to finish it off.
All s10 packs vary, the whole pack should give you 4.5'' of lift approx

C2TheJ

yes i do want to get away from the blocks i agree! but i had them with the 4.5" lift already when i bought it and then my stock leafs were sagging so the custom leafs took me to 6 from the sagging old 3 or so. good temp fix for sure