I ordered a rough country add-a-leaf kit for my dakota today. Im pretty sure of the install as it seems to be pretty straight forward.

But my question is does anyone know what size u-bolts i will need. Can i use the stock size still? If so what are the stock dimensions.

Or will i need longer ones?

any help is greatly appreciated.

 

It depends on how thick the new leaf is and how much threads you have on your bolt. Most likely the AAL is around 1/4in. Now measure how much more thread you got on your U-Bolts and see if you can fit a 1/4in.

 

okay thanks, im still going to purchase new U-bolts as well tho. Which is my biggest reason i am concerned about the dimensions.

The parts store here says their computer doesnt tell them "vehicle specific dimension of U-bolts"

I guess i havent looked yet, but is there enough room to accurately measure them under the truck? Should i be more concerned aboput inside dimensions, or outside dimensions?

 

I got the same AAL and used my existing u bolts so stock size will be fine. I have been meaning to replace mine but havent gotten around too it. I know the stores around here just have a selection to choose from but again don't say what size you need. Best to measure or take one in to compare

 

well taking one to compare will be hard only having my truck available to drive and my garage with the lift and tools is 20 miles from the nearest parts store. Im just gonna have to crawl under and see if i can get the mud kicked off and do some hopefully accurate measuring

 

Well good luck. I have some pictures from my install if you get stuck and need reference

 

Are they posted here? if not could you post a few on this thread, just so if needed i can find them, maybe even look at them and see it before i try to tackle this job. From my understanding its pretty straight forward, you drop the axle down, use a c-clamp to hold the spring pressure, un-do the center pin, and add the add-a-leaf in beneath it unless its longer than the bottom in the pack, then you put it the next to bottom in the pack and then of course do this all backwards to finish up.

But i do have a question about the c-clamp method of keeping pressure on the springs, if i do that wont it interfere with the installation of the new add-a-leaf?

 

Here I added in red what else you have to do to answer that question.

 

It is very basic. Unbolt the shocks and u bolts and drop the axle a few inches. I kept the jack under mine so that I did not have to disconnect any brake lines
The c clamps are only to keep the springs from flying apart. Once the bolt is removed the c clamps can be taken off. Since most of the springs are long only one will come off. You want the AAL to be just above the bottom one. They should be in order smallest to largest in length.
The center pin was a pain for me. the nut on top was completely shot so after snapping it off I had to use a punch to get the bolt out. It had snapped off flush with the top of the springs. Once it is out you can take the clamps off, put in the new leaf and bolt them back together. Nut on top then cut off the excess bolt.
There are think pieces of plastic in between the stock springs, do not throw these out.


My c-clamp set up before removing the center pin


The dreaded center pin.


The completed install

 

where you finding the add a leafs for dakotas ? i searched a few suspension sites but only seen 1500 trucks listed