Add A Leaf 2011 Sierra

[Nevada2011]

so i`m new to the forum, recently traded up to a 2011 sierra traded the colorado in lol

just purchased an add a leaf and looking to do it myself i have ideas as to how to do it however i figured a forum must have a good write up seeing as theres lots of ppl out there willing to help others and show what they did...

ive looked through the forum but not having much luck finding a write up

 

can anyone help?

 

 

Thanks

[Stevens03]

Congrats on the new truck. Sorry, I can't help you with the add-a-leaf.. but it should be pretty straight forward. I don't think I've ever seen one for the ad-a-leaf.

 

Maybe this is an opportunity to photo and do a write up

 

And Welcome.

[Nevada2011]

Thanks for the reply, i did some more searching and ya not to much luck with that lol... looking like sunday i will get into it and attempt it all hopefully i got everything i need... will take pics as i go

 

thanks for the welcome!

[Stevens03]

Is it a full leaf or just the 1/2 that bolts on the back side of the spring pack?

[Nevada2011]

It's a full leaf that goes under the top mounted leaf

One other thing is in regards to the c clamp that is on the front of the pack

I'm going to bend the tabs as I need to in order to get new leaf in however I don't have larger c clamps to clamp them after the pack is together

I figured I can get away with bending the tabs and sliding new leaf in and leave it like that???

Any suggestions ?

[Nevada2011]

okay everyone, i just finished adding a leaf (long) on my 2011 sierra, was rather easy and had no issues at all so here is abit of a write up on the how to... and some pictures providing they up load...

first things first i did this with extra hands brother n law had helped and mae it alot easier

all basic tools need nothing major was used or needed

*large jack in which i placed a few 2x6`s on and jack up from spare tire...

 

 

*from there once tension was relieved from suspension i did driver side first (not that it matters what side)

 

*removed tire

 

*unbolted u bolts

 

*did not use c clamp to hold leafs as i did at first but realized was easier without them

 

*center bolt had to be ground off, for some reason both sides stripped when i was trying to remove nut... must be GM cheap nut lol

 

*after that pryed open the c clamp holding pack together at front of pack

 

*slid the two leafs out with a bit of elbow grease

 

*once they were out i had to bend the c clamps back abit more in order to get new leaf in and have room to reinstall pack

 

*once new leaf was in i slid the pack back on and using a c clamp at front of pack just past axel i clamped them together with a screw driver in the hole for center pin so they would line up

 

*from there simply lifted up on both sides to put in block

 

*then with a jack i used a 2x4 just behind axel and placed it against the leaf pack and stared jacking up until i was able to slide new center bolt in... was a real pain in the ass and probably the trickiest unsafe part of all this lol....

 

*once bolt was in simply rebolted new u bolts tightend center bolt and did my best to tighten c clamp at front of pack....

 

all in all was very straight forward and with another set of hands took 2 hours from start to finish with some break inbetween

 

i manages to get 2 inches of lift from new leaf and i must say it rides much better then stock. i was quite surprised as i thought would be alot stiffer but didnt make to much a difference on the ride... in terms of jumping up n down in box huge difference as it doesnt move to much... for the 80$ and 2 hours of time this was by far best investment so far......

 

i have attempted to add some photos, appears not allowing me so i will load to server and go from there

 

hopefully this helps anyone out as the how to add a leaf

 

any questions feel free to ask away

[Combat_Vet]

What I had done was install Firestone Ride Rite air bags on my truck and have a Ready Lift leveling kit. I can control the ride height of the rear from inside the cab and don't have to have the harsh ride of an extra spring. I did lots of research on helper springs, add-a-leaf's, load helpers, etc... before deciding air bags was the best way to go.

 

Sorry, I'm not much help here.