Add-A-Leaf > Is This a Good Option?

[HammerDown]

Hey guys, is this Rough Country a good option for my 1988 f250 4x4?
Or would the middle linkTuff Country be a better choice???
Or, would they pretty much have the same outcome

EDIT > and lets toss in SkyJacker diesel soft ride !bottom link
Has anyone here installed these leaf kits, if so, how easy/difficult was it to install, how much room between the spring bump stops and, how is the ride?
Thanks for any feedback, Ray

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/77-5...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-5-...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-80...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[Diesel Max]

I'm running the Firestone Ride Rite airbags in front. They work extremely well and give an adjustable ride as well as adjustable ride height. IMHO they are easier to install then the leafs. I can get an easy 2" between the bump stops and the springs. I like the fact I can adjust the ride quality as well as the ride height which you cannot do with the add-a-leafs.

 

[milightfo]

i would go with the rough country,just because its the cheapest,my opinion is the 3 are probably close to being the same.

 

[HammerDown]

I'm running the Firestone Ride Rite airbags in front. They work extremely well and give an adjustable ride as well as adjustable ride height. IMHO they are easier to install then the leafs. I can get an easy 2" between the bump stops and the springs. I like the fact I can adjust the ride quality as well as the ride height which you cannot do with the add-a-leafs.

Thanks for the feedback > a little more $$$ than I wanted to spend. Also, I thought these required a on-board compressor and something else i didn't want to get into.
Question > how can you get a 2" higher ride height without compromising ride quality...doesn't seem to make sense to me
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FIRE...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ca2638c57

 

[Diesel_brad]

No two trucks will get the same outcome from a add-a-leaf. It all depends on the wear of the spring. Just so you know, add-a-leafs ruin what little ride you have.

Install instructions

1. Jack front of truck up and support by frame.
2. remove tires
3. put jack under one of the axles(driver or passenger)And take some strain
4. unbolt u-bolts, and lower axle
5 c-clamp the spring pack together and take out thru bolt
6 open c-clamps slowly
7 put new leaf on the bottom of the spring pack and start thru bolt
8 start tighting c-clamps and getting thru bolt thru the 3 leafs. clamp spings tight and then tighten thru bolt.
9 take off c-clamps and jack axle back into place. Put NEW u-bolts in.
10 go to other side and repeat. then go get an alighnment

 

[HammerDown]

Diesel Brad > thanks for the post...my trucks ride SUCKS > just OLD technology... God forbid it gets worse!

 

[Diesel_brad]

Diesel Brad > thanks for the post...my trucks ride SUCKS > just OLD technology... God forbid it gets worse!

Well it will w a add-a-leaf

 

[Diesel Max]

Thanks for the feedback > a little more $$$ than I wanted to spend. Also, I thought these required a on-board compressor and something else i didn't want to get into.
Question > how can you get a 2" higher ride height without compromising ride quality...doesn't seem to make sense to me
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FIRE...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ca2638c57

You don't need a compressor unless you want one. I don't have a compressor. I adjust the bags to where I want then via the schrader valve on the bags. Antime you adjust your suspension, you are going to affect the ride for the positive or the negative depending on what you are doing with the suspension. The higher the air pressure and the more height, the stiffer the ride, just like with the add-a-leaf. The difference is, if I dont want the stiff ride, I can adjust the air down some for ride quality and load conditions. With the add-a-leaf you are stuck with what you have....... no adjustments once they are installed.

 

[towcat]

Well it will w a add-a-leaf

+1.
here's the problem. the factory springs are reverse arched. all the above choices are forcing the springs to fight against itself.

 

[HammerDown]

Well it will w a add-a-leaf

Well, if it STOPS it from hitting the bump-stops that alone will be a plus.
As it is now > I can barely get my index finger between the pump-stop and frame

 

[towcat]

Well, if it STOPS it from hitting the bump-stops that alone will be a plus.
As it is now > I can barely get my index finger between the pump-stop and frame

do yourself a favor(and your back too)....get new springs.

 

[Jake_IN]

I have the rough country add-a-leafs installed on mine. What prompted me to install them as when i had an alignment done and they had a print out that showed how far off my camber was. After installing the rough country kit it got my camber back to where it should be (took it back to the alignment shop and got it checked again) and for me at least it made the ride 1000X better. Before i added them the front was like a limp spaghetti noodle, now its a firm but not stiff ride which to me is perfect
I highly recommend this kit if all your looking to do is get the truck back to how it was from the factory as far as ride height. It also works good if you have negative camber. I got about an inch of lift form it which like i said before raised it back to stock height. Also doing it the way i have pictured is crazy DANGEROUS. I did it on this truck the same way i did it on my old K20. The problem with these trucks is the fact that the lowered axle is at an angle (unlike the solid axle K20 that i just lowered the axle straight down) so using the jack to jack up the axle results in a partially compressed spring wanting to pop out from the bottom and kill what ever is in its path. So I'm sure there is a safer way to put them in but either way i highly recommend them. Sorry for the long post but i hope it helps. Also the bumpstops aren't hit at all which is nice too.

This is before i started

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I took that spacer on the bottom out when i put the add-a-leaf in.

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[1994IDI]

Subscribing.

 

[Worstenemy453]

Got a link to the airbags mentioned earlier ?

 

[OLDBULL8]

Google Firestone Ride-Rite.