2016 F-250 Rear Springs- Deaver or Alcan?

[tacollie]

Technically you don't need a the Carli track bar but you won't be able to center the axle without it.

 

[hurc85]

Do not forget the extended brake lines. I’ve gone the exact route you’re talking about, and waited a few weeks to add the brakes lines as I ran out of time during my install. Daily driving it wasn’t an issue, but I could quickly and easily put the stock brake lines in a bind with the new suspension without much effort at all.

Good call, added those to the list and updated totals in my previous post for the sake of providing complete info

 

[IdaSHO]

Definitely appreciate you chiming in IdaSHO, it’s good to see options and hopefully this info will help other folks deciding on suspension upgrades. My truck is equipped with the same factory spring options (VVFF) and I did consider going with a budget option from General or SD truck springs especially because I don’t really want a lift. I ended up shying away from that option because my camper is only on the truck about 50% of the time and when it’s off, I use the truck for a lot of back road travel. Shoot even on road travel feels like off roading during break up season here. From the research I’ve done it’s seems the best way to gain better ride quality in front is a small lift to increase wheel travel over the ,paltry few inches Ford provides in the stock suspension. So I accepted a small amount of lift and figured I’d match it with new rear springs. The cost of the budget option is definitely appealing, to go the way I’m planning will be mucho dinero;

Carli 2.5 in gas springs- $385
Carli caster shims- $75
Carli track bar- $420 (don’t know if I NEED this yet)
Alcan Custom rear springs w/unbolt plates- $1620
Accutune 2 in resi adjustable- $1720
Accutune 2.5 in resi adjustable-$2900

so all in $5400 on the high end, $4220 on the low end

I guess I need to start collecting dunnage for the rear spring install!

For the record, I wound up with about 1-1/2" of lift going with the higher capacity springs.
Also, knowing these superdutys and how particular they are with front end components, I wanted to keep it stock(ish) height in order to use all OEM front end parts.
Approaching 3" of lift as I recall is about where you must look into an adjustable track bar in order to center the axle under the chassis.
And as you have shown, a proper aftermarket track bar is not cheap.

So as long as you are willing to give up some ride comfort (especially empty) the savings is huge.
But to be fare, the empty ride is awfully stiff. I do have some simple, stiff shocks on it. Different shocks might help.
I also don't have any specially aftermarket parts to have to source if I ever needed a replacement.

All in, I'm 100% satisfied. Hauls the camper considerably safer, and a touch higher than stock looks proud

 

[hurc85]

For the record, I wound up with about 1-1/2" of lift going with the higher capacity springs.
Also, knowing these superdutys and how particular they are with front end components, I wanted to keep it stock(ish) height in order to use all OEM front end parts.
Approaching 3" of lift as I recall is about where you must look into an adjustable track bar in order to center the axle under the chassis.
And as you have shown, a proper aftermarket track bar is not cheap.

So as long as you are willing to give up some ride comfort (especially empty) the savings is huge.
But to be fare, the empty ride is awfully stiff. I do have some simple, stiff shocks on it. Different shocks might help.
I also don't have any specially aftermarket parts to have to source if I ever needed a replacement.

All in, I'm 100% satisfied. Hauls the camper considerably safer, and a touch higher than stock looks proud

It does sit just about perfect with the 1.5 in lift from the higher capacity springs. Did you keep the stock tire size?

p.s. I love your storage box, been thinking about redesigning my flat bed to incorporate something similar

 

[IdaSHO]

It does sit just about perfect with the 1.5 in lift from the higher capacity springs. Did you keep the stock tire size?

I had to toss a small bock in the rear to nail the stance, but I also anticipate the coils sagging/relaxing as they wear in. So the rear block may be temporary.

Tires are not stock. Those are 35’s.
A tiny lift and these trucks scream for 37’s 🙄

 

[stever1000]

Reviving this thread - 2 years later, how are the Alcan springs? I received a quote from Deaver (still need to CAT scale the front/back) and wasn't able to connect with Deaver yet (too busy at the time). Did you change the front coils as well (I noticed Carli offers a couple options)?
I understand Alcan/Deaver to be a great upgrade to remove the factory block by adding more thinner leaves compared to the stock pack. I have a 2012 F350 that I am slowly upgrading and the suspension is something I have been looking seriously into... The bilstein 4600/Rancho 9000 didn't do much for my ride so I am looking long term to see what I can do before an extended trip in Baja. I have a 2000lb (dry) camper in the bed fulltime (wet weight TBC after cat scales) and would like to be more comfortable on forest, washboard, rough roads as well as slower offroad. My current suspension is nicely leveled or slight rake with the current suspension. I don't intend to lift because the maximum tire size I will run is 35"

 

[andy_b]

Reviving this thread - 2 years later, how are the Alcan springs? I received a quote from Deaver (still need to CAT scale the front/back) and wasn't able to connect with Deaver yet (too busy at the time). Did you change the front coils as well (I noticed Carli offers a couple options)?
I understand Alcan/Deaver to be a great upgrade to remove the factory block by adding more thinner leaves compared to the stock pack. I have a 2012 F350 that I am slowly upgrading and the suspension is something I have been looking seriously into... The bilstein 4600/Rancho 9000 didn't do much for my ride so I am looking long term to see what I can do before an extended trip in Baja. I have a 2000lb (dry) camper in the bed fulltime (wet weight TBC after cat scales) and would like to be more comfortable on forest, washboard, rough roads as well as slower offroad. My current suspension is nicely leveled or slight rake with the current suspension. I don't intend to lift because the maximum tire size I will run is 35"

I’m not the OP but my Alcans continue to be great. I upgraded to a ’24 F350 and Alcans were one of the first mods I did.

I didn’t mention this in my first post but I think the most important factor to consider is proximity - if you happen to be closer to one than another, go there. Shipping a set of leafs is nuts and they’re kind of a drag to install (but doable). Being able to work with the shop face to face was really great.

 

[rruff]

I bought a 4 leaf per side add on pack from Boise Spring, and installed them myself... but I didn't have to deal with bushings. It was way easier than installing front shocks at any rate! Big improvement in ride, too.

 

[stever1000]

Unfortunately I am in Canada so shipping is going to be a headache regardless. I contacted a couple local shops but they only offered direct replacement (same leaf count as stock, keep the f350 spacer block) so the search lead me here

 

[andy_b]

Unfortunately I am in Canada so shipping is going to be a headache regardless. I contacted a couple local shops but they only offered direct replacement (same leaf count as stock, keep the f350 spacer block) so the search lead me here

In that case, I’d get the least expensive custom built set you can.

 

[rruff]

Unfortunately I am in Canada so shipping is going to be a headache regardless. I contacted a couple local shops but they only offered direct replacement (same leaf count as stock, keep the f350 spacer block) so the search lead me here

Is it illegal to mod them in Canada?

 

[stever1000]

Is it illegal to mod them in Canada?

I don't think so? But it would be easier for them to copy factory specs rather than a full custom leaf pack, I assume

 

[rruff]

^Leaf packs aren't rocket science. They should have no issue plugging your specs into a calculator and figuring it out. When you say "local shop" is this specifically a spring shop where they make leafs?

I considered buying (would be almost free) a take-off leaf pack for my truck and cut them to make my own. In hindsight I wish I had, as the ones I've got are just a little low on lift... and if I have to do the trial and error thing, I'd rather go cheap.

 

[SDDiver5]

Replacing my leafs with Deaver leafs is the second best mod I've done to my truck. Getting rid of the factory block is such a game changer.

If you're doing a baja trip, let Deaver know about the date of the trip and stop by on your way down. They will install them at the shop for you then you'll be in Mex 2 hours later.

 

[rruff]

^I understand the benefit of many thin leafs and ditching the overload... but I've been trying to imagine what difference the block makes, and... I'm not seeing it. To raise the ride height in the back you can either curve the springs or add a block. If the springs are curved then the axle will move aft when the springs are compressed (flattened). If the springs are basically flat at ride height (like my Tundra), the axle will move forward when compressed or extended, but a smaller amount.

Axle wrap tendency is already set by your spring attachment points to the frame relative to the axle. I don't think there is any substantial difference there with more curve vs a block...?