monsta
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• The Big Island, HI, USA |
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• Registered on 1/5/2002 |
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• 1,056 posts |
• 2
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 Posted:10/29/2005 18:14 |
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You sick puppy...
I got an Add-a-leaf installed yesterday. Details in the comments section of my gallery.
What an incredible improvement!
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
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Posted:10/29/2005 20:31 |
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Was you getting the nose up effect when hooked up before addy's?
Looks good tho 
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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monsta
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• The Big Island, HI, USA |
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• Registered on 1/5/2002 |
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• 1,056 posts |
• 2
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Posted:10/29/2005 20:58 |
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Yeah...My truck set level. Sometimes it even looked lower out back. It drove me crazy!
When I'd hook up (unloaded even!) the back would drop two inches. I have a "before" pic but it is over at FTE. Although, I think I put a "before" pic in my gallery space here with the unloaded trailer attached.
Measurements in inches are as follows
BEFORE w/o trailer 36.5
BEFORE w/ trailer 34.0
AFTER w/o trailer 38.5
AFTER w/ trailer 37.75
Added bonuses: Tighter, more controller ride. IMHO, less propensity for axle wrap. Even less body roll. I like to look at my truck now.
What a differences a couple pieces of metal make.
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docgas63
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• Sugar Land, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 8/20/2005 |
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• 37 posts |
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Posted:10/29/2005 21:16 |
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I just met a recently retired Ford Service Advisor that told me to get the front end checked after adding my Add a Leaf as there might be more weight on the front end. Said might need some more 'tow in' (sp) on the wheels in the front to prevent uneven wear.
Does this make any sense and does anyone agree this needs to be done after adding a leaf.?
DG
David, Sandra and 3 Kids
2005 4x2 6.0L PSD Excursion Limited
Sunnybrook 3310
Hensley Arrow - Prodigy
SuperChips, X-Monitor, Zoodad, PSD Badges |
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kiarasue
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• Enumclaw, WA, USA |
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• Registered on 9/27/2005 |
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• 81 posts |
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Posted:10/30/2005 20:52 |
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I don't know about the alignment but I do know I like threads like this one. It's guys like me who would almost rather look at truck pic's than , you know what I mean. |
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monsta
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• The Big Island, HI, USA |
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• Registered on 1/5/2002 |
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• 1,056 posts |
• 2
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Posted:10/31/2005 15:51 |
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| Quote: | Said might need some more 'tow in' (sp) on the wheels in the front to prevent uneven wear.
Does this make any sense and does anyone agree this needs to be done after adding a leaf.?
DG |
I don't think that it would make any difference as far as the toe-in is concerned.
You see the Toe adjustment is where the front of the tires point. "Toe out" means they point out and vice versa. I can see a camber adjust ment might be in order after an add-a-leaf..
Camber is how the top of the tire points.
Our 2WD trucks use those enormous beams to locate the wheel rather than double A-arms. This means that the wheel actually moves in a large arc. (Like a solid axle would) As the wheel moves up, the top of the tire actually points inward (negative camber) and when it goes down the top of the tire points outward. (positive camber)
FWIW, Double A-arm suspension keep the tire on a single, vertical plane when moving up and down.
So that being said, if anything I could see the camber being off a bit due to the added concentration of weight on the front causing it to squat. (negative camber) I cannot visually see any changes in the camber. I didn't measure the front clearance before to see if there are any changes but will watch tire wear over the next 500 miles of so to see if the inside of the tires wear prematurely.
I do notice that the front clearance increases when the trailer is attached probably due in part of the rear suspension not squatting as much and therefore leveraging the front up a bit.
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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Posted:10/31/2005 17:59 |
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In my experience with lifting other vehicles, when you lift the front end, you need an alignment. Raising the rearend 1-2" with add-a-leafs (or reverse shackle flips, taller blocks, etc.) should really have no effect on your front end alignment. I can see what he means by the added weight on the front end (i.e. shifting more weight to the front because of the lifted rear), but it's a minimal adjustment to the rear, in my opinion...not enough to require an alignment.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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Scott Stover
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• Fayetteville, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 4/16/2004 |
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• 354 posts |
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Posted:11/1/2005 20:17 |
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Looks good buddy!! 
Scott
2000 X 4x4 V-10 4.3 LS
K&N
Gibson Catback
"Custom" Kickplates |
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birdman127
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• baltimore, MD, USA |
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• Registered on 10/13/2002 |
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• 581 posts |
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Posted:11/2/2005 15:52 |
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 all this for 2 inches 
Moderator
Scott
2000 ltd 6.8 V10*4.30LS*
Lots of mods
check my gallery
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kiarasue
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• Enumclaw, WA, USA |
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• Registered on 9/27/2005 |
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• 81 posts |
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Posted:11/3/2005 00:38 |
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Raising the rear does change the alignment. The caster angle, to keep it simple is top of your king pin. Negitive is when the pin leans forward and positive is when the pin leans back. If your pin angle is to far ahead or negitive, you will not be able to take your eyes off the road. It will wander. so what I'm saying is when you raise the rear up you change a steering angle that should be corrected for better steering. |
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