Tuff Country 82450 - Dodge 03-12 Ram 2500 / 3500 Add a Leaf - Manual (Page 3)

Rear add-a-leaf installation:
Before installation begins, measure from the center of
the hub, to the bottom of the fender well, and record
measurements below.
Pre-installation measurements:
Driver side rear:______________________________
Passenger side rear:__________________________
At the end of the installation, take the same
measurements and compare to the pre-installation
measurements.
Post-installation measurements:
Driver side rear:______________________________
Passenger side rear:__________________________
1. To begin installation, remove the stock front end links from
the stock location and save the stock hardware. Now, block
the front tires of the vehicle so that the vehicle is stable and
can’t roll forward. Safely lift the rear of the vehicle and sup-
port the frame with a pair of jack stands. Place a jack stand
on both the driver and passenger side. Next remove the
wheels and tires from both sides.
2. Position a pair of hydraulic floor jacks under the rear axle.
Place one jack stand on the driver side and one on the pas-
senger side. Raise up on both hydraulic floor jacks at the
same time until they make contact with the rear axle.
3. Working on the driver side, remove the stock shock from
the stock axle mount location. Save the stock hardware. The
upper mount does not need to be removed, let the shock
hang. Repeat procedure on the passenger side.
4. Working on the driver side, remove the (2) rear u-bolts.
Save the rear u-bolts and hardware. Set the stock upper u-
bolt plate aside. Repeat procedure on passenger side.
5. Lower down on both hydraulic floor jacks at the same time
until the stock springs separate from the stock rear axle.
Lower down approximately 4”. Special Note: Make sure
not to over extended any brake lines or hoses when
lowering axle.
6. Place a pair of “C” clamps on both sides of the new cen-
tering bolts and tighten until the “C” clamps hold the stock
springs together. Remove the stock centering bolts that con-
nect the stock together and discard. Carefully remove the
“C” clamps from the stock springs. Special note: Take spe-
cial care when removing the “C” clamps because the
springs are under tension.
7. Locate the new rear a-a-leaf. Also, locate (2) 1/2’ x 6” bolts
and (2) 1/2” fine nuts from hardware bag CB12. Working on
the driver side, install the new add-a-leaf between the stock
over load and the stock spring assembly. Secure using the
new 1/2” centering bolts and nuts. For now, just get the nuts
started. Then using a pair of “C” clamp vise grips, carefully
bring the new add-a-leaf and stock spring assembly togeth-
er. Once the new add-a-leaf and the stock springs have
been brought together, tighten the new 1/2” centering bolts
to 54 ft lbs. Special note: Using a die grinder, carefully
cut off the excess thread on the centering bolts so that
the upper u-bolt plate can be installed properly.
8. Repeat step # 5 - 7 on the passenger side.
9. Carefully raise up on both hydraulic floor jacks at the
same time until the rear axle makes contact with the stock
spring assemblies.
10. Locate the u-bolts, u-bolt hardware and upper u-bolt
plates. Working on the driver side, secure the new rear add-
a-leaf and the stock spring assembly to the rear axle and
secure using the u-bolts, u-bolt hardware and upper u-bolt
plates. Torque to 120 ft lbs. Repeat procedure on the pas-
senger side.
11. Locate the stock lower shock hardware. Working on the
driver side, secure the stock shock into the stock lower
shock mounting point and secure using the stock hardware.
Make sure to use thread locker or loctite and torque to 85 ft
lbs. Repeat procedure on the passenger side.
12. Carefully remove both hydraulic floor jacks from under
the vehicle.