Used Alcan Leaf Springs

[Cruecible]

I have an opportunity to get a pair of used (around 5k miles) Alcan springs for my rig. The owner states they were ordered with 4" of lift, and I'm still waiting back on the other specs such as the weight they were ordered for, etc.

My concerns are: With them ordered as 4" lift will they give me a rake in the back? They don't have the orbital eyes, but would I need to get extended brake lines anyways? Should I be concerned about buying these used, even with the alleged 5k miles in them?

Anything else I should be concerned about? The leafs I have now are 2 long ones with the overload flat one on the bottom of the pack and I feel it's a matter of time before they die. I know that Alcan are some of the best out there, and the price is really good.

 

[TJTJ]

Well, if the leaves give 4" of lift by themselves...you will have about 4" of lift in the back...unless the weight of the owner's rig was less back there than yours, in which case you'll have less than 4" of lift. In theirs was lighter than yours, you'd have MORE than 4" of lift, and so forth.

The Alcans use a lot of leaves (8-10 IIRC) so they DO flex better than the OEM pack's 2-3 leaves at least, but, adding anything but Revolver Shackles will really increase the rear height if you want to get more flex out of it.

Its POSSIBLE that the owner planned on using them with lift shackles to get a TOTAL of 4", in which case the leaves themselves might only be designed to give another 2.5" or so, etc. (4" for leaves ALONE would sound like it was for a SAS, etc?)

Its also possible that the 4" lift was to be part of an SL to also level it, so the rear would have been raised less than the front, and so forth.

The rear SHOULD be ~ 1.5" higher than the front when all is said and done.

Its hard to tell from here at least exactly what the scoop is. Can you get more info from the seller?

 

[rokdaddy]

Heya Crue,

TJ has some good things to consider... as usual.

Are these from a first gen X? If they are, you have a great find there. Even if they aren't designed for a first gen, they may still work for you. If the guy is local, I'd be interested in taking a look at what he has. I'm free all day tomorrow or I could meet up with you later in the week if you want.

I've been meaning to stop by to drop something off anyways... oh yeah, congrats on the gettin' hitched thing. Now you know how it feels to ask permission to go wheelin'. (insert obligatory smiley thingy).

-Rok

 

[Cruecible]

Thank you TJ, I'll gather up all the info he gave me and post it on here.

Rok, thank you sir, I really appreciate it. Give me a call whenever you're free and I'll fill you on everything. They are from a first gen and the guy is seliing them because he decided to go leaf over axle. I think he was sas'd but I'm not certain. When he ordered them, he stated he had a rear tire carrier so they were crafted with that weight addition. The deal is too good to pass up, but only if they will work out for me and not give me a ferocious rake.

 

[metzican]

I would get them if they are to tall remove a leaf if they are to short buy shackles. If I was there I buy them and put them on my trailer.

 

[Silver dude]

I ordered 250lb over stock and 3 of lift and got 2 1/4. However, I then also had issues not being able to use the stock shackles do to spring length. The shackles would wind back and get stuck. So I added longer shackles to get the full 3" I originally wanted and fix the shackle issue. Three years later they started sagging badly. So I went with a even longer shackle to correct the ride height. Now it rides around mushy as a mattress. Kinda disappointed with my experience overall. But, not much I can do about it. When they say 4" it should be perfect.

 

[Cruecible]

I read your review about yours Silver and it was making me think the 4" should be good. Hopefully these will be a good experience if I do get them

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

You have lift shackles on the rear now, correct? If so, I have some stock shackles that could bring you down a bit if these new leaves do end up making your X "stink bug" (sit really high in the rear). I wouldn't be too concerned with them being used. If he didn't bash on them and maybe just did some daily driving and normal wheeling, he may have just broken them in for you

Just in case you don't end up picking these up, or if they don't work out for you, I may be interested in them But best of luck with them! And like Rok said, congrats!

 

[Cruecible]

I have longer shackles sitting in my garage and I still have the stock ones on there. The more I think about the more I really need to buy these. Especially with everyone's input, it's making me feel more assured about it.

Thanks for the well wishes, it was a really nice and fun wedding!

 

[Silver dude]

Yeah it definitely rides way way better when fresh. It doesn't have a stiff overload leaf like stock to bounce and rebound against also flexes amazing offroad. Really plush and progressively smooth. After installing the springs crossing railroad tracks was completly different. So much so I don't feel like going back to stock even though my springs no longer serve my vehicle needs properly (to weak). Get them you'll be happy you did.

 

[TJTJ]

If the lift shackles are too long you could do Revolvers, improving articulation while having less lift.

 

[Cruecible]

I decided to hold off on these for now. As hard as it was to say no to them, I had to at this time. Probably regret it later but oh well. And Dave, I'll pm you the info in case you're still interested