The FNG

I have combed all of the forums in here up and down, with a TON of really good advise. But with all of the add-a-leaf stories, there are no pics ???

So, here is my story (with pics)

Rough Country 2" lift via add-a-leaf in the rear, and the typical spacer for the coils.
Before starting this, you will need:
-Longer u-bolts (Autozone, O'Reilly, etc)
-Leaf spring clamps
-Longer tie bolt (5/16-24 x 2.5")
-Two 6" or bigger C-Clamps
First step was to jack up the frame high enough so you can drop the axle away from the leaf pack. Use your OEM bottle jack under the axle (you will need to be able to maneuver the axle throughout the process).

Disconnect the shock. The swaybar will become disconnected when you drop the axle (Be careful, the difference in height will cause it to be somewhat spring loaded).
Now disconnect the u-bolt hardware, and drop the axle away from the leaf assembly.
Install the 2 C-Clamps on to the leaf assembly on either side of the tie-bolt (the small bolt in the middle of the leaf pack). This removes all of the pre-load from the leaf pack when you are taking off the nut.



Loosen the nut. You may have to hold the bolt head with vise-grips as you are doing this.

Remove the bolt and nut completely.

You will also have to remove the forward leaf clamp (the metal band with the rubber piece under it), closest to the center of the leaf pack. You will need to replace it with a universal aftermarket one like this:



Now separate the lower-most leaf from the pack. This will stay on the bottom, as the Rough Country leaf is slightly larger. Install the Rough Country leaf- second from the bottom.

Use a screwdriver to line up all of the centering holes, and clamp the whole assembly together with two c-clamps. Install the longer 5/16-24 x 2.5" tie bolt, and install the nut. Do not torque it yet.



Install the aftermarket leaf clamp in roughly the same location as the stock clamp.



Once the clamp is installed and tightened, torque the tie-bolt and remove the c-clamps.

Line up the tie-bolt head with the recess on the axle platform and install the longer u-bolts. I have tons of extra thread on mine, but once finished, yours should look something like this:



There is nothing hard at all about doing this. More time was spent going back and forth to the autoparts store than anything

halmotors

This is why I just got the complete leaf packs.

KTMrider

mine came with the new leaf spring clamps. but nice write up. i agree, the AAL wasnt much of a pain

The FNG

Was yours the Skyjacker kit?

JSmith0055

my RC 4.5 add-a-leaf also came with clamps but nice to finally see pics with this writeup

builtnotbought89'

Why didn't you get rid of the rear sway bar???

jeepride

Was it a long aal leaf or a short aal?

whowey

From his first picture... looks like the sag-tastic short AAL..

You can see it in the pack, one up from the bottom. Its the clean one.

Madman

Sonwhats the price on this compared to whole leaf packs?

The FNG

Cuz swaybars are frikkin cool

I dont ever plan on doing anything further than trail-riding, and I like the streetability of my ride. On another note, i have seen some "after shots" of disconnected sway bar rides. Not too pretty.

The FNG

Not sure. My total cost shipped was $71.00 off of eBay. Thats for the front spacers and the rear AAL's

The FNG

It is a shorter one.

Tural

Just my opinion. I don't trust automotive store u-bolts. my buddy who does lift kits in his shop all day long told me that they stretch under stress. i went with RC u-bolts. the grade of metal RC uses is supposed to be better.
btw, what kind of an after shot have you seen from removing the swaybar? i took mine off when i put my lift kit off, and i love it. not trying to be smart, just asking what's the worst i can expect?

The FNG

the thread i ran across was with a guy that disconnected BOTH sway bars. Needless to say the results were a roll-over and a properly phucked cherokee.
i cant seem to find the thread again.

Contemplating removing the rear sway bar all together. One less thing to worry about.

roughridenxj

i have been running without my front and rear swaybars for about..... 6 months and my jeep is a daily driver. i have not had one problem or never almst rolled over.