Custom Leaf Springs Input-Alcan & Dakar only?

Just got my alcans in a few weeks ago and am going to install them this weekend. I don't have them in front of me but can any of yall tell me which end of the spring goes forward? I would think the wrapped end goes toward the front.

 

The Alcan Springs sticker goes towards the rear. Don't forget to disconnect your ABS brackets before you drop the axle. Hopefully you have a helper. Those things are a B#$%^ to do by yourself.

 

Yea i should be okay lol. I put my deavers in and they are similar to these. Having a lift helps big time haha.

 

You're good since you have experience. Mine still pops in the rear but I think it's torque on the shackles or rear sway bar. I haven't messed with it yet....too preoccupied with the damn grille swap nightmare.

 

im telling you right now i would put anything on it that the noise your hearing is the leaf springs themselves. Mine and 3 of my buddies all pop. The second i move my truck it pops

 

I wonder why. It didn't do it for the first few weeks lol. It does get annoying though.

 

I’m guessing it does it once the coating wears in a little and creates stiction. Mine didn’t do it at first then they did it bad now it’s not as bad. My advise would be if it bothers you that bad than go back to stock springs. Every single aftermarket spring I’ve been around has made noise on these trucks. You can remedy it by putting dry lube between the springs where the friction pads are. You can also use anti seiz but it’s a little bit of a pain to spread each leaf apart. Gotta jack the truck up to get pressure off.

 

Spring liners can help with the popping.
eatondetroitspring.com sells 2.5" wide spring liners that have a lip, but it's $2.50 per foot.
It's not on their website so you have to call to order.

 

I was just reading online about these liners. I have never heard of them before. Quite a few places sell them. I wonder how hard it would be to put them in the Alcans.

 

Our spring are 2.5" wide and the only 2.5" liner I could find was through that site.
Install should be relatively simple for those with a few leafs. Don't even have to unbolt the shackle or body mount.

 

My Alcans are 8 leaf but wouldn't the center pin have to be loosened to get them in?

 

Yes, of course. I'd replace the pin along with the u-bolts.

 

Finally got around to installing them..

I gave myself an additional 550# of wiggle room in case I add more stuff to the truck so it lifted it 4" higher with the coachbuilder 3+ shackles... So I had to go back to the stock shackles. I am about to sell them and see if I can get enough money to buy the 1+ shackles instead. LMK if you guys think that that would be worth all of the hassle or not. My laziness tells me that the stock shackles should be more than enough.

 

Not sure if I'd slap a wet lubricant like Never Seez between the leaves as I'm sure it would attract and trap dirt etc. Maybe spray some graphite dry lubricant...

 

Any popping noises from yours at all? I'll try to record the sound from mine this weekend.

 

Yes I did.

 

Well if that’s the case i would take it all the way back apart and check everything again. Maybe add some dry lubricant like graphite between the leafs or check the wraps to make sure they aren’t rubbing on the springs. I have suggested that to you a few times. If you don’t feel like doing that then go back to stock springs with a block if that popping noise is bothering you that much. Or call and discuss with alcan what you can do they are great to deal with!

 

If you take the pack apart might as well put those liners in between each leaf.

 

Yeah I just haven't had the time to dig into it. I still want to disconnect the sway bar to rule that out as well. It is definitely loud and annoying lol.

 

you need to do something to figure out what it is. Get a go pro and mount it u see the bed and use that to figure it out.

 

Yup, it will pop anytime that it sits for a little while and I initially hit a bump. I agree with everyone else that it is prob the paint or something. I am used to hearing noises though. I have come to realize that the more suspension modding that I do the more noises that come with it so I am not worried about it at all.

 

Are the alcans worth double the price and a 2 month wait compared to the icon rxt pack? Anybody have experience with both? street & offroad w/ 3-500lbs extra on the rear axle

 

I wouldn't think so. I've seen too many reports of failing Alcans to ever spend that kind of money on them unless you had a very specific need. I would just go with the Icon pack, or the Dobinsons. I've had my basic Dobinson pack for over a year and a half and they have been great. They easily handle a more constant load than OEM, and lifted the truck around 2". Yes you'll need to buy bushings as well as u-bolts which drives up the cost, but you can get the basic 3+2, or the 4+2 pack which ups the lift and constant load ability. Price is now $660 for the regular pack (I think I paid $480), so cost has gone up which sucks, but they are really good for the price.

 

Where are the failing Alcans reports?

 

I had the deaver pack when i first lifted my truck. I went the 748u route and it worked well for 6 months then they lost arch and failed. I called up alcan and got a custom set for my weight “8100lbs”. Sense install I have taken many trips offroad including driving loaded heavier than curb weight out to Colorado from Va and back. While in Colorado we ran a good amount of the mountain passes Alpine loop/Imogene/engineer/black bear/ etc. I have not been nice to this spring pack and they are still holding up just as they did when I purchased. Not only are they quiet but they are plush and don’t hinder my articulation at all. I can’t say a bad work about them. Best decision I made was to call up alcan and get an order placed.

 

Do you really need me to Google that for you? I'm not saying they are all bad, but since I've been around Tundras, both the online, and the off-roading community since 2004, I have read, and personally heard enough that I'm not willing to spend well over $1000 on springs, unless of course, as I said, you have a very specific need. I also grew up around a local spring shop that could build a custom set of springs for me (as they did for my first gen) for a fraction of the cost and better customer support.

This is just my take on it, that's all. I'm glad you are happy with with set.

 

No need for snarky. I was merely asking you for your experience and the source for your allegation that Alcans fail.

I've not seen any reports of failures. I've seen squeaks and noise reports (had some squeak myself), but no failures. Icon has a reputation for horrible customer svc and my experience with Lew and his staff at Alcan is a stark contrast to that.

 

From my time on tundrasolutions.com, and ih8mud.com forums, and person experience with follow guys on the trails. And honestly, maybe it was from a long time ago and a previous owner, but I never heard good things about their customer service either. However, if they are under new ownership than obviously, and hopefully, all of my previous experiences can be thrown out the window.

 

I love my Alcans. Never had any issues. They make noise but so does the rest of my suspension.

It all depends on your lifestyle and what you use your truck for. Yes, Alcans are expensive but non of the other companies would provide enough lift with all of my weight. If you intend on keeping it light then I would save the money and go with a cheaper company. Granted, I don’t have experience with the other companies.

All in all, whatever you decide, it’ll be way better than the cheap stock leaf springs.