Keylime
New member
I've been building my '88 FJ-62 for a while now, wont trouble anyone with the travails and missteps, poor decisions and poor workmanship I've experienced along the way. I will share with you one of the more positive experiences though, and that was dealing with and purchasing a set of custom springs from Alcan Springs in Colorado.
When I bought the vehicle a few years ago, it was already fitted with an OME 3" lift-kit, not sure which flavor, but there was some considerable sag going on, so I decided to refit the springs rather than re-arc the OME's. My search eventually led me to Alcan, as I was hoping to find both a spring shop that would build a specific set of springs for my specific use (more on that later) and I wanted to keep my money in my local (at least within the US) economy. I am a real stickler on purchasing goods and services that are made within my own economy. I understand this is an international discussion board and I'm not touting US protectionism as policy, but I do exercise my own version of selective spending in order to try and secure American industry and jobs. Enough about that, back to Alcan.
When you decide to order a set of springs, you are taken through a series of questions; what vehicle, what kinds of attachments that will add or redistribute weight (bumpers, winch, location of spare tire etc), what kind of expected load, what kind of use and most importantly, what kind of ride are you eventually looking for. There are a few different choices you can make when ordering "custom springs" from other major manufacturers (stock load, medium load, heavy load), but I don't think these choices come anywhere near the specific questions that are asked in order to build the "customized" springs that Alcan makes, each set specific to the needs of the customer.
New set of springs from Alcan Springs, waiting for install.
After the specifics are relayed to Alcan, they then determine the appropriate set-up for your vehicle, bend and join the springs and ship them off. All along the process, the shop may call you for additional information, and during the installation, you can always call or email Charles (the owner) and usually speak directly with him. I was never asked by them for an order or invoice number, I would just say "hey this is Steve with the Land Cruiser" and Charles knew the specifics. I don't care what you say, but service like that and accessibility to guy who's shop bent my springs invaluable.
The price was competitive, around $1200 (including shipping from Colorado to NYC), which leads me to believe that in order for an overseas manufacturer to make, assemble, ship overseas, distribute to end-seller at a comparable price (all along, everyone making a little $ on the way), something has to give, the money has to come from somewhere; quality of workmanship or materials? I can't say. After the install along with new Bilstein 5150's, I'm certain I made the correct decision, but time will tell in the area of longevity.
I'm not shilling for Alcan, but good work needs to be recognized and rewarded. When it comes to spending my money, I'm supporting an endangered species, American small businesses.
When I bought the vehicle a few years ago, it was already fitted with an OME 3" lift-kit, not sure which flavor, but there was some considerable sag going on, so I decided to refit the springs rather than re-arc the OME's. My search eventually led me to Alcan, as I was hoping to find both a spring shop that would build a specific set of springs for my specific use (more on that later) and I wanted to keep my money in my local (at least within the US) economy. I am a real stickler on purchasing goods and services that are made within my own economy. I understand this is an international discussion board and I'm not touting US protectionism as policy, but I do exercise my own version of selective spending in order to try and secure American industry and jobs. Enough about that, back to Alcan.
When you decide to order a set of springs, you are taken through a series of questions; what vehicle, what kinds of attachments that will add or redistribute weight (bumpers, winch, location of spare tire etc), what kind of expected load, what kind of use and most importantly, what kind of ride are you eventually looking for. There are a few different choices you can make when ordering "custom springs" from other major manufacturers (stock load, medium load, heavy load), but I don't think these choices come anywhere near the specific questions that are asked in order to build the "customized" springs that Alcan makes, each set specific to the needs of the customer.
New set of springs from Alcan Springs, waiting for install.
After the specifics are relayed to Alcan, they then determine the appropriate set-up for your vehicle, bend and join the springs and ship them off. All along the process, the shop may call you for additional information, and during the installation, you can always call or email Charles (the owner) and usually speak directly with him. I was never asked by them for an order or invoice number, I would just say "hey this is Steve with the Land Cruiser" and Charles knew the specifics. I don't care what you say, but service like that and accessibility to guy who's shop bent my springs invaluable.
The price was competitive, around $1200 (including shipping from Colorado to NYC), which leads me to believe that in order for an overseas manufacturer to make, assemble, ship overseas, distribute to end-seller at a comparable price (all along, everyone making a little $ on the way), something has to give, the money has to come from somewhere; quality of workmanship or materials? I can't say. After the install along with new Bilstein 5150's, I'm certain I made the correct decision, but time will tell in the area of longevity.
I'm not shilling for Alcan, but good work needs to be recognized and rewarded. When it comes to spending my money, I'm supporting an endangered species, American small businesses.
