shackle vs. add-a-leaf
- Thread starter BCJC
- Start date
Pskhaat
2005 Expedition Trophy Champion
Yes, give these guys a shout http://www.alcanspring.com/ . It's been a few years, but they used to be one of the best spring shops and had decent pricing.
BCJC
Adventurer
thanks, i'll give em a call, but i live up in canada, so shipping might be a deal breaker...any other ideas/opinions are welcome. i can get a shaped aal with 2" of lift and increase payload capacity by 750lbs for around 150 bucks, so that's the cheap solution, but i don't want to lose too much articulation in the rear with these things.
BCJC
Adventurer
right on, yeah, i'm putting a new ARE canopy on, w/ cargo basket and spare up top, plus an offroad rear bumper, these things will be on 24/7, and on trips i'll have a raised plywood bed in the back, plus gear and canoe ect. soooo i think i'll be loaded up pretty good, and that's why i like the idea of the aal.
devinsixtyseven
Explorer
i think he's talking about an air suspension, used as additional support to carry a load. i'm not familiar with them either other than that it's a couple of air bags and a compressor that are used as needed...local shops will definately be able to help you there.
alcan is very, very good.
with any spring, flex is wholly dependent on loading it properly. with your planned setup it sounds like youll be fine. just be aware that when they say +750# they dont mean it increased your gvwr, just improved the truck's ability to handle a load. gvwr is based on frame, axles, drivetrain and other things besides springs. personally i'd wait on it--weigh the truck now, both axles together, then one at a time, record the numbers. get the truck more or less finished, load it up, then repeat for the new numbers...that's what theyll want at alcan to build you a spring pack tuned to your trail trim, so it will flex perfectly when youre loaded and ready rather than sagging or riding like a buckboard.
just be aware that when the springs are unloaded, and when theyre brand new, they will ride like a buckboard until theyre broken in.
hope that helps.
-sean
alcan is very, very good.
with any spring, flex is wholly dependent on loading it properly. with your planned setup it sounds like youll be fine. just be aware that when they say +750# they dont mean it increased your gvwr, just improved the truck's ability to handle a load. gvwr is based on frame, axles, drivetrain and other things besides springs. personally i'd wait on it--weigh the truck now, both axles together, then one at a time, record the numbers. get the truck more or less finished, load it up, then repeat for the new numbers...that's what theyll want at alcan to build you a spring pack tuned to your trail trim, so it will flex perfectly when youre loaded and ready rather than sagging or riding like a buckboard.
just be aware that when the springs are unloaded, and when theyre brand new, they will ride like a buckboard until theyre broken in.
hope that helps.
-sean
HenryJ
Expedition Leader
Have you checked for a local shop that can build you some leaves? The advantage to adding multiple leaves , as opposed to one heavy add-a-leaf is that in order to achieve the desired lift in a single leaf they use a hard heavily arched spring. Not only does this apply uneven forces on the factory springs concentrating the load at one point on the stock springs, they are prone to breakage when flexed hard. In order to keep prices low they usually only build a 2.25" leaf , so it will fit anything from imports to domestics and for a large age range. I don't know what width your springs are, but mine are 2.5". By using the three leaf kit, the spring rate is progressive and evenly distributed as load increases. Also allowing for better ride characteristics.
The disadvantage is that you are buying six leaves.
I had a shop in Boise build me a kit- Boise Springworks 2" rear spring kit
Something like this might be a less expensive option to a complete springpack and can be taylored to your needs.
The disadvantage is that you are buying six leaves.
I had a shop in Boise build me a kit- Boise Springworks 2" rear spring kit
Something like this might be a less expensive option to a complete springpack and can be taylored to your needs.
Brian894x4
Explorer
Years ago I ran the longer rear shackle, AAL combination for a few inches of lift and to compensate for gear in the bed. It worked great. But my load was pretty constant. I think that's the key. It's definately a cost effective way to do it and it flexed just fine for me.
By the way, I have Alcan springs in the back now. One of the best companies I have ever delt with. EXCELLENT customer service and great product. But not very cheap.
By the way, I have Alcan springs in the back now. One of the best companies I have ever delt with. EXCELLENT customer service and great product. But not very cheap.
Scott Brady
Founder
Use spring rate for load= AAL, thicker spring pack
Use arch for lift= Leaf spring arch or longer shackles
A combination is ok too, but never use spring rate to add lift if you dont carry a load that warrants it (ride and articulation will suffer) and dont use more arch or shackles to carry a heavier load (the springs will sag or bend).
HTH
Use arch for lift= Leaf spring arch or longer shackles
A combination is ok too, but never use spring rate to add lift if you dont carry a load that warrants it (ride and articulation will suffer) and dont use more arch or shackles to carry a heavier load (the springs will sag or bend).
HTH