Gen 1 Leaf Springs are so cool

I searched this one to death. Maybe it's out there but I can't find it.

2005 Tundra DC 2WD. Seems like Alcan is the way to go (among some others as good). But;

My OEM are 16yrs Old.
I'm not looking for over stock lift
My springs look straight - not sure if that is considered flat for this truck
I have overloaded it on occasion for an on the stops ride - construction projects.
It has always had a fiberglass Tonneau (100+ pounds?)
Normally, I drive with a pretty much empty box, surfboards, etc.

All that said, I feel like the truck wants new springs. I bump it out unloaded in the right dip. But lets pretend the springs were new and I wanted an upgrade - would Alcan be one? Performance for some load and often unladen (+100 or so)?

General springs would be an OEM improvement it seems, but close to stock. However if there is a reason to get springs and I can get performance over OEM, General springs with Alcan, I'm in.

Anyone know about this? Thanks! EA

 

Yup, Alcan and Deaver would both be great upgrades for your leaf springs. And as soon as you do that, you’ll realize your shocks are probably worn out too. I don’t know about “General” but if you figured out they're better than stock, probably so— your OEM’s were definitely past the intended life span.

 

Thanks, brother. I replaced the shocks not long ago, but I'm not opposed to doing it again if needed, and maybe....upgrade
Your input helps me a lot.

 

Alcan leaf packs, and a set of Bilstein 4600 series shocks should get you right.

 

Thanks @Rex Kramer . My searches told me you knew a bit about this. I’m in, I appreciate your advice!

 

Go with Deaver. They make a great product and are local to you so you can save on shipping.

 

@Lil Steve

@onesojourner

Based on your criteria, save your cash and go with either of these two companies. They have the OEM and HD Version at a great value and Made in USA. They also custom build springs if you like.

 

Yeah, @alb1k, I agree. Shipping is so expensive, go with Deaver if they’re local to you. I have Deaver on my 1st Gen. just didn’t say so, because you asked about Alcan and I was the first to respond. (It’s irritating when the very first response goes off topic.)

 

To PHM’s point, if you’re not carrying a ton of weight or trying to gain a bunch of lift, you don’t need Alcan or Deaver. Both would be an upgrade, but maybe unnecessary.

 

@alb1k Honestly if I was you I would probably just keep the main OEM leaf, install new poly bushings and the Deaver mini pack. $350 and a Saturday later you would have a basically new leaf pack with a little lift. Unless your main leaf is rusted to hell or has a bad negative arc I wouldn't replace it

 

For under $400 he could have Brand New Springs/u-bolts/bushings/etc.

Add another $120 for HD depending on which brand on those links above.

 

True. I was just throwing out my suggestion from my past experience with Deaver. I've never felt a bad ride on Deaver springs and I would prefer poly bushings over the vulcanized rubber bushings General Spring uses. JMO

 

Vote 2 for poly bushings!

 

2002 AC 2WD here. I wanted more load capacity not necessarily more lift but going with HD new HD springs from ATS resulted in a 1.5" lift in the back. I don't mind it at all, the HD everyday spring performance is all good, no harshness or overly stiff feeling and a huge improvement towing or hauling weight in the bed. Before swapping springs my remedy was a pair of Timbren SES rubber spring stops to replace the stockers. The Timbrens worked/still work as advertised but it didn't take much weight with the stock springs to have the frame laying/hitting the Timbrens. Currently with the HD springs the Timbrens act mostly as an overload back-up, otherwise never even noticed.

If you're just wanting to keep spring performance mostly the same but want fresh springs, I don't think you can go wrong with an OEM replacement set from ATS or General for the price. If you're wanting different performance than OEM or HD springs provide, Alcan, Deaver or custom is the way to go.

 

I have an Alcan quote, A Deaver coming. Not set on either of those two, I started with General. Good news is nothing is broken so I can take my time. Thanks all - I will report back.

 

alb1k any update on what you decided to choose?

 

sorry, I forgot all about this thread. I went to G57 Deaver but needed more spring. So I ditched the idea of level and got Archive Garage MD Shackleton springs. Like a 200-600 spring and 2 3/4 higher than my stock. I reduced the rake to 1 3/4 over stock with TC drop shackles. Love it. Only question now as I’m adding some weight is how would HD springs be. But these are great, ride good and I haven’t been able to bottom them out yet.

 

thanks for info. i been researching all day on leafs springs.. lol

 

I wish archive had leaf packs in stock

 

i just stumbled across a post I made last year...on the same topic...oops.