My wonderful wife bought me a rough country 3 inch lift for fathers day. I rarely do any wheeling, but I want a little more capability than stock when I do. Here's the deal - My stock leafs are just about straight, not really curved up or down. Do I want to just put in the AAL or can I build a bastard pack with hopes that I won't have to replace the leaf packs again in a year because they sagged? I don't want the back to be lifted way higher then the front (look goofy) either. Anyone have experience buiding a bastard pack to simply strengthen the stock pack and install the AAL at the same time? I have access to S10 leafs from the local JY for $80 a pair. I went and looked at them and they have a couple sets that look great. For reference, the lift kit has new coils and shocks for the front, AAL and shocks for the rear. I appreciate any advice!
kingkamodo out

 

well was in the same boat as you with that RC kit. my packs are straight a well and my parents got me the RC 3" series 2 kit with AAL's. I ended up getting a great deal on some brand new Up Country leaf packs that net 1", so I'll have roughly 4" in the rear now. personally, I would get new packs, wether its stock packs or the Up Country. stock packs are like $90 a piece plus all bushings.

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Do either the AAL or the bastard pack. Using both will make it very stiff, very rough ride. If the aal doesn't give enough lift because of sagging springs, add some longer shackles. I'd go with the Bastard pack, sell the AAL springs on Ebay. But it really depend on the condition of your stock springs. The springs are pretty flat from the factory. By the way, flatter springs flex and ride better than those with more arch.

 

So i took a closer look at the leafs while under there this afternoon, spraying PB all over the place. My stock springs are slightly curved upward (the way they're supposed to be). Maybe my leafs aren't in as bad a shape as I thought. From reading more on here, they really aren't supposed to have much of an arch like most other vehicles I'm used to. I remember replacing leafs on my old F-150 and they had quite a bit of arch to them. I think I'll go with the AAL and see how they hold up. If they sag, I'll replace the whole pack with a HD pack.