Add a Leaf Kits vs Helper Springs and install

Sometimes you just need to add a leaf for some additional load capacity. Our extra leaf springs  kits are for light duty trucks, vans, utility vehicles, motorhomes and mini buses and come equipped with full taper leaf springs for the front or rear of your vehicle. All Dayton Add a Leaf kits are packaged complete with all necessary hardware and U-bolts for installation. Tuff Country Add a Leafs will come with a center pin and will either utilize factory u-bolts or require a u-bolts kit to be purchased separately.

Adding a leaf to your leaf spring is very similar to simply upgrading your springs. You are essentially adding another level of support to your spring which is making the spring capacity greater. Many of the add a leaf kits we sell will bring the spring capacity to the exact level of an HD spring for that very vehicle. Kits are available for the Dodge Ram, Chevy Silverado, Jeep and other models.

Warning: DO NOT attempt to “build up” a taper spring unless using an extra taper leaf specifically designed for that purpose. If you have any questions regarding these add a leaf kits please contact us.

Add-A-Leaf vs Helper Springs

What is the difference between an Add-A-Leaf Kit and Helper Springs? Both will give you lift while supplying load support. Some Add-A-Leaf kits will mount between the leaf springs and the rebound leaf whereas all helper spring will mount onto the springs. Helper Springs like the Hellwig EZ-990 will help keep your Chevy Silverado or Ford F150 level and prevent it from sagging or swaying when driving. We would recommend them for anyone who is looking for a quicker installation and a cheaper solution.

The one main difference between add-a-leafs and helper springs is an add-a-leaf will give you a constant rate while helper springs will give you constant and progressive. What is progressive rate? The progressive rate means that your truck must be loaded and the leaf springs compresses in order to activate the Hellwig helper spring. When the load in your truck increases the helper spring will progressively increase its resistance to the load.

Add-A-Leaf Install

Install is rather easy when it comes to inserting the add-a-leaf into your existing leaf spring. You will begin by jacking your truck up, removing the tire and resting the vehicle onto jack stands. Remove the lower shock bolt and unbolt the U-bolts on each side of the axle. On our vehicle we were adding a large add-a-leaf so we made sure there was enough clearance between the leaf pack and the spring perch. This is where the add-a-leaf will go. Then clamp the pack securely, remove the factory centering pin, insert the add-a-leaf and then place the new centering pin through the factory overload spring. Reinstall the remaining parts. That’s it. Installation can be tricky on some trucks and can take a few hours to do so.They are trailer leaf springs