Alcan 4.5 Springs and Steering

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DirkDigler

Joined
Jan 12, 2006
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What remedies, if any, have some of you used when going with the 4.5 inch Alcan suspension? I'm wondering if you need to modify any steering components to relieve bump steer, etc.
Also, are there any other must haves, in addition to the springs, ubolts, brake lines and bushings?
 
i already had extended brake lines and i'm going high steer cause i scored on teh arms and i bent the oem tie rod. probably could use some shims too, but i haven't gotten that far. can't remember on driveline, and i swapped for early 40 4.11's which netted me longer slipshafts, so i couldn't tell you if you need to extend the driveline, but i don't think so. i removed the sway bar also, so no help there either.

gee...i'm just no help ;)
 
You are goign to have to piece together everything for the lift.

What do you have? only the springs? Have you purchased yet, etc? Give us more info.

I went/am going through this now. (I have 4" Alcan Springs.)

Search on alcan look @ whats included on lift kits. I can give you some info if you cant find it, etc.
 
89s rule said:
You are goign to have to piece together everything for the lift.

What do you have? only the springs? Have you purchased yet, etc? Give us more info.

I went/am going through this now. (I have 4" Alcan Springs.)

Search on alcan look @ whats included on lift kits. I can give you some info if you cant find it, etc.
Click to expand...


Don't have anything but the 60 with 1.5 longer shackles. I'm at the point of where you lay in bed at night and weigh differences of SOA or a good spring under. I was all set to do the Spring over and then I saw "Iggy's" 60 with the 4.5 Alcans and really dug it! She directed me to this site....But before I purchase the springs, I was wondering what else may be needed. Steering is my biggest concern due to the different set up that I'm familiar with on Jeep rigs.
I have been a Jeep guy for almost 20 years and I'm realizing that building a 60 is quite different....mostly because of the long wheel base...and many other obvious differences. However, building a solid rock rig is building a solid rock rig.
So....to tell you the truth, I'm kind of back at the thought of doing the SOA! Perhaps another sleepless night tonight will put me back to the Alcans!:o
I don't want to turn this thread into a SOA vs. Spring under. Who needs another one of those....right? ;)
I just want to see what else is absolutely necessary to complete the 4.5 Alcan suspension so I can start sleeping again and put my decision to bed as well.
Thanks all.
 
nuclearlemon said:
all that you will get from alcan will be springs and bushings.
Click to expand...

Right.
But what I want to know is what others have experienced.
Bad bump stear.
Drive line vibration.
Should I:
Cut and turn front end?
Get All Pro Steering?
Get new drive shafts?
etc, etc.
I know these are good ideas anyway...but is it necessary to do these things when installing the springs?

Thanks again!
 
Right.
But what I want to know is what others have experienced.
Bad bump stear.
Drive line vibration.
Should I:
Cut and turn front end? No not needed, run a shim.

Get All Pro Steering? Nope, no need for steering. You can use stock set-up. If you parts are really worn then you could replace or upgrade.

Get new drive shafts? No.

etc, etc.
I know these are good ideas anyway...but is it necessary to do these things when installing the springs?

Thanks again!

Have you looked at the pages I mentioned? look at what is included on the OME lift. You will need all of that. With the change of a few things.

1. different swaybar end link extensions are needed. You can make these or order them. (If you go 4.5" then you will prob have to make them)
2. Extended brake lines. From frame to axle.
3. Different shocks. (you will have to flex and measure then order shocks.) Search for some of my alcan threads for info on shocks.

Everything else should be good to go. Agreed about the SOA vs. SUA. If you have the tools and know how then go SOA. I didnt and got my Alcans slightly used. So that helped me with the decision.


Are you wanting this as a rock crawler? A SOA will work better in this as far as I can tell with the amounts of flex.

What size tires do you want to run?
- 35" seems to be the bubble. 35 beign the limits on SUA and 35 being tnhe min on SOA.

Remember my lift is only 1/2 on I have no driving time on it, etc. I also have 4" alcan springs not 4.5"
 
I have a 4" Alcan setup - about 40,000 miles on them. You will get bump steer, count on it. You'll also need to change the length of the drag bar to recenter the steering wheel. I didn't need to use caster shims for whatever reason, but others have.

If you install a U-bolt flip kit (poor man's SOA) at the same time you may be able to reuse your shocks, otherwise you'll need longer ones.
 
I used these with Shackle Reversal

I was looking for room to clear my 35" and went with these springs and a shackle reversal. The steering was really bad. I actually lost control of the truck about a week after I did that. The ride on road was really stiff b/c the springs had so much arc. Articulation was good but I ramped much better with the 2.5" springs. About six months after that, one of the springs de-arched. I then went to a SOA and have never looked back. Life is better up here.
 
Winslow said:
I was looking for room to clear my 35" and went with these springs and a shackle reversal. The steering was really bad. I actually lost control of the truck about a week after I did that. The ride on road was really stiff b/c the springs had so much arc. Articulation was good but I ramped much better with the 2.5" springs. About six months after that, one of the springs de-arched. I then went to a SOA and have never looked back. Life is better up here.
Click to expand...


Did Alcan know you were going to run them with a SR? That was way too much lift for SUA no wonder they rode like crap! From what I hear the 4" are about the max you want to run SUA.

Some can clear 35's with 4" Alcans and if you need a little more add a body lift. Just go 2" or less. That is what I plan on doing if I move up to 35's. Its 33's for now though.
 
This is all good info. Thanks!
I'm really starting to go back to the thought of the SOA.
Always worked best on the Jeeps.

Now........decisions on my 80!!!! But those are easy.....
 
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