Schmeal Hawk

I'm looking in to beef up my suspension a little and take some of the jolt out of riding in my 85. I've used a few Add-a-leaf kits before. Some good (rancho softride) some really bad (pro comp shorties). Anyone use these before? I searched and found no mention of these products until I looked on summit.

front
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TRA-F4545/

rear
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TRA-R1536/

oldgold3vze

Geez, for $70 I'd give em a try. No AAL is ever going to perform like a nicely built complete leaf pack, but they cost around $300 or so. I'm running a super lift arched overload in place of my flat overload on my 88 4runner and have been pretty happy with the way it rides. Not a true AAL, but I got about 1.5" of lift, and it is a bit softer.

Schmeal Hawk

Alright first off, DO NOT BUY THE FRONT LEAF KIT!!!

I've been fighting with problems involving drag link clearance. The stock drag will not work with this add-a-leaf. I bought a procomp drop drag link and it just barely clears the u-bolt with a lot of tweaking. I am worried that there will be interference if the spring is compressed. Also you can't run stock shocks with this kit.

Also installing this kit I discovered that the slip joint on my front drive shaft is also seized. Not a fault of the kit but a PITA none the less.

I'll update this thread as I continue to toil with this kit.

camo31_10.50

i think you'd be more happy with a set of OME leafs instead of an AAL

im not even gonna hit the AAL stage..im goin straight for new leafs..lol

grant526

You need to convert to Crossover steering to be able to safely run these!

I would highly suggest the conversion any way! ; ) I did it to mine this spring and also added PS and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! Plus I can now install a U-bolt Flip kit. Due to the close tolerances (that you're running into) you can't run the flip kit or AAL without having cross-over/high-steer. It costs a little bit, but it's definitely worth it. I broke my stock steering last summer at the Rubicon during the Marlin Crawler Round Up. Fortunately my buddy brought me his old parts for spares.
The Stock steering is weak and won't allow you to do what you're trying to do.
Check out http://www.4x4labs.com/steering.shtml They have a SWEET Product I love how they put he tie rod behind the axle. I wish I could have afforded their product.

Good Luck with your project and keep us updated.
Grant

toyota4x4907

I bought a pair for the rear of my pick-up when I still had it. Never installed them. I sold them before I moved last summer to a guy with a sweet '88 4runner

samiam39

Save your money and buy the complete springs sets. anything else and your just throwing away money. and buy the cross over steering you never be happier with the way it drives

grant526

Your NOT Kidding!!!!!!!!!!
I'm totally Happy with it!! But I need to drive it more, since I installed the Steering Dampener. What I have driven it since has been Even nicer : )