Custom Leaf Springs Input-Alcan & Dakar only?

I know this has been a topic on many forums, but I wanted to get some input specific to my vehicle and people with experience from Alcan and OME Dakar. I tow a bass boat and load up the bed on trips, but otherwise - I currently have constant static load on rear (close approx. weight added over stock):

• ARE MX Topper Linex coated inside and out - 215 lbs
• Gear box - 66 lbs
• Rear bumper - 55 lbs
• Rubber Mat - 30 lbs
• Misc Gear - 50 lbs
• Larger Spare - 12 lbs
• Total - 423 lbs

I currently have Coachbuilder plus 1 Shackles (.625"), and the OME

$346 CS055R Spring

CS055R's (Not with the extra leaf (D28xl)), that have been on about a year and half... They are flattened out and getting the slight "w" over the axle on the springs. Pictures are with no additional load other than above. Initially started with getting 1.6'' lift from these springs alone, after settling (2.25 with Shackles). Now, I after flattened out, barely get .875'' lift over stock with them (1.5'' with Shackles). I reached out to ARB via phone, asked me to fill out the warranty info online with picture for them to review and haven't heard back from them.

I am going to get custom Alcan springs built. I want to wind up with approx. 2'' of lift in the rear with the Coachbuilder plus 1 Shackles and no Flattened or sagging springs... I spoke to Tyler at Alcan to build/price and they recommended building springs with 500 lb rate, for 2'' lift. Stated that they will build the leaf packs for Passenger and Driver side to account for the 1/2'' driver side lean from the fuel tank, so it would be 2'' on Passenger and 2.5'' on Driver side lift built in to leaf springs. He estimates they will settle about 1/4'' to 1/2'' total. Leaving me with about 2'' total lift with shackles.

With all that info-What do you all think? Will that Alcan build be about right? Any other thoughts or recommendations on lift/spring rate for custom springs from Alcan? This is on a 2020 TRD Pro Tundra and will be the second set of rear leafs, so I want to get it right this time and not be left with flat and saggy springs in a year... Currently running the Factory Fox TRD Pro shocks. HIGHLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP!

 

Following....I'm running the OME Dakars as well w/o the AAL. They are about 2 months old and look very similar to yours. I've read else where alot of the Dakars are "designed to work flat" even though it's very contradicting. I'm interested to hear what ARB tells you. I got 2.5" lift out of the rear from these springs, haven't measured recently to see if they've "settled" any. I should do that. Mine are also very noisy. If I could do it again I think I would have gone with Deaver's U748s.

 

tons written about lifted leafs, custom leafs, etc

quick search https://www.tundras.com/search/4654789/?q=custom+leaf&t=post&o=date&c[node]=19

 

What you are doing is pretty close to what I have done. I started with CB+2” shackles, and added Icon helper packs to buy time while I researched.
My Alcan springs actually have 9 leafs on the driver side and 8 on the passenger side. That’s to compensate for the 46g steel transferflow gas tank. That’s several years ago now and everything is going well.

 

Use a Roadmaster HD Active Suspension kit in conjunction with HD springs. That will help maintain the arch. Works well for me with Dobinson's 5+2 HD leaf packs and heavy hauling.

 

Would the RAS work with the Alcan 8 leaf pack springs?

 

@unsub1 just installed Alcans with CB+1 Shackles. He will chime in since I tagged him. My Alcans are being built as we speak. Lew did not mention anything about setting the springs up for the lean issue. Not every truck has it.

 

I do believe so, pretty much a universal fit type of design.

 

I watched a video on it. I know they say that they are designed for stock springs but I don't see why lifted springs or springs with lift shackles would make a difference. I may try calling tomorrow and ask.

 

Where the weight is located in the truck bed also makes a difference. A 100lb weight in the bed near the rear window is actually spread across all 4 wheels, whereas the same 100lb weight near the tailgate is more concentrated on the rear axle. Should also factor in the weight of a full gas tank and the weight of all the people inside the cab as that weight is distributed to the rear axle as well. Also, additional armor, sliders or steps should be factored in as well. Not too late to make changes to your Alcan order - if necessary.

 

Have you considered the Dobinsons packs?

 

What specs are you having your Alcans built to?

 

That’s what I thought and I specifically asked them if they wanted weight of everything I added above stock from front to rear and he said only the rear truck bed static weight for the leaf springs. Hmmm.

 

What spring rate did you get your Alcans built to and what lift height? How much settling did you see from them? 1/2”, 1/4”?

 

Did you get your truck weighed with all of the gear in the truck?
When I ordered my Alcans they wanted me to weigh the truck so I was able to provide them individual weights at each wheel. That's when I witnessed how location of the weight was dispersed.

 

Have not had it weighed. They didn’t ask me to.

 

Mine are being built with 1/2 inch of lift and the rest of the lift is coming from the Toytec shackles set at 1.5.

 

I don’t remember the spring rate. I think It settled about an inch. They were designed for 2” of lift. Combined with the 2” shackles, after the settling and with my truck loaded (1100lb +\-) I have about 1 1/2” or rake and a very smooth ride. I can also tow my boat or loaded utility trailer with zero squat.

 

That’s different from what they did for me. I do understand that there has been a change of management and possibly ownership from when I got my springs from Alcan. When I did, they wanted everything I had done to add weight and where it was located, including winch, skidplates, sliders, etc. It was my understanding (perhaps erroneous) that they figured out the load at the rear axle using some calculations.

 

How are you supposed to get weights at each wheel? I’m only aware of scales that weigh each axle.

 

My work just happened to have those scales. Was talking to the shipping receiving guy about how I wanted to weigh my truck. Ask and though shall receive
A quick search on Amazon has something like this, although this one has a 7000# limit.

$1,060 PROFORM Vehicle Scale, Slim, Electric, 15 in Square, 1750 Capacity Pad, Wireless, Case/Controller/Pads, Kit (TCI67644)

https://www.amazon.com/ProForm-6764...?keywords=vehicle+scale&qid=1639625040&sr=8-5

 

Anyone else chime in on how much their Alcan springs actually settled? 1/4, 1/2, 1”?

 

The new owners didn't ask me questions about weight when i ordered mine last month. I mentioned that I had an aftermarket bumper at 140 lbs and that I was lifted and on TT shackles.

 

Here’s my front/rear and total weight.

 

I went back and forth with ARB tech today, end result is they stated the ARB/Dakar/OME leaf packs are meant only for stock truck weight, nothing additional. Leaf packs should not be flattened out and they recommended I add their add a leaf to their sagged springs. I’m going to have custom Alcans made. Would love to hear how much I can expect them to settle from built in height, from current Alcan spring owners!?. Anyone?

 

Loaded or empty? Any passengers?

 

You’re a lightweight

 

Those are my everyday around town static loads. Full tank gas, my added gear and such, and me.

 

I ordered my Alcans based on an 800lb load in the bed and looking for a 1"-ish lift, along with +1 CB shackles. I also tow a travel trailer with a 700-ish tongue weight. I didn't remeasure immediately after I installed them but after a week I'm just a hair over a 2 inch lift. I'm giving it until early January before I level the front. The ride is so much better though.

As it sits currently...