For those with 3 Leaf AAL's: Overload spring or no?

To those of you who running some kind of a 3 leaf AAL (wheelers, headstrong, ICON, etc)....did you leave the stock overload spring in or not?
Lifting soon with Bilstein 6112/5160 and 3 leaf aal, trying to decide weather to leave it in or not. I have a Leer shell, and platform system in back, so some constant weight in back. I currently run sumo springs in back, to help with sag on my stock suspension when I load it up.
Looking for opinions, thanks!

 

With all of that additional weight I would definitely leave it in.

 

left it in on mine

 

Maybe a leaf pack? Just a thought for that constant load

 

No overload equates to at minimum 1/2” less lift and a 10% loss of payload. Would 100% leave it in with constant or common loads.

 

Leave it. The new headstrong AAL has packs aren’t designed to leave the OL leaf in but with some light modifying it can be left in. Check out full leaf pack replacements as well. AALs are bandaids.

 

HS aal here. OL left in made the truck shake. Took it out and no more shakes. Look into axle shims. The ride is definitely tougher. Enough to buy a full leaf pack. Three weeks and counting for the leaf pack to come in.

 

I removed mine assuming I wasn't never gonna do any heavy hauling or towing...LOL. I wasn't sure how thing would turn out when I hooked that 6,000 pound trailer up to it. It did great with out the factory over load spring. I was amazed.

 

I went with Bilstein 6112/5160s and Wheelers 3 leaf AALs. Left the overload in, have sliders and ARE topper w/Ascend basket. Ride is smooth and truck handles well.

This is the truck with a light load:


And with a heavy load:

 

Nice. Looks great, I like your setup, that's exactly what I'm planning on getting. What clip settings are the front Bilsteins set at?

 

4/3 (DS/PS)

 

Did you have to modify or cut any leaf spring clamps on the front of your overload? Does anyone have pics they can share?

I have the same truck and setup and wondering about the clamp issue that everyone runs into.

 

I think I might have, have pics - will post later on. Wasn't a big deal.

 

Looks like you got a nice bull - good luck this season

 

Thanks, it was a nice bull! And great eating too!

Before and after pics of the Wheelers 3 leaf aal install, this is all I have:



I do remember grinding off a pin for a clamp, I also repositioned my emergency brake cable, retorqued differential nuts, used Rustolem jelly on bare metal spots on the differential and repainted the axle & springs with Rustolem primer, black topcoat for better rust prevention:

 

Looks nice!

In the second picture it looks like you were able to keep both the overload clamp and leaf pack clamp on the front end of the leaf springs?
Is that correct, or did you have to cut a clamp off?

 

I believe that's correct going from memory, it was only the rear clamp that I had to remove. I might have a pic somewhere of the Wheelers aal kit. You can call them too, they have pretty knowledgeable folks.

There are some YouTube videos as well.

 

You’ll need an angle grinder.

 

Do not remove the very rear clamp near the spring hangar - only the other clamp that's in the way of the new rear guide.

Also the new AALs come with new taller guides for the added AALs with new crossbolts:



Edit note, sorry I'm going from memory.

Although it's meant for polyurethane bushings I applied a very thin layer of this grease to each leaf to prevent squeaking. It will squeeze out as you tighten the u bolts and one has to follow up and wipe off the excess and retorque the U bolts a few times after several thousand miles. Do use gloves, you won't wash this sticky stuff off easily.

Energy Suspension 9.11104 8 Oz Tub Of Lubricant

$18 Energy Suspension - 9.11104 8 OZ TUB OF FORMULA 5 PRELUBE

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MW5SJ4/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_NOwuFbZYGRVZY

 

Awesome pics. I'm super impressed with your rust-prevention painting. Did you use hi-temp paint for the exhaust system? I might have to think about doing that.

Nice Rekgen mudflaps . I have the same ones