Alcan springs
- Thread starter brider
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Oh, and Brider, ask Calico Kid. He just put some rears on.
Because they SUCK ASS!!!
I don't want to get into it AGAIN but just do a search and find my posts. I can't tell you how many Alcan springs I have removed from Cruisers because they were made wrong (too short or too long) or just rode like s***.
I live and work just a few miles from Alcan and I wish I could support them but I can't. I just can't support a POS product.
There is a better solution for the FJ55 lift spring kits and I know the answer. I just can't share till next week. Stay tuned kids. Pics and info to come.
FineWynsFJ40
Too much to do...
Awww, dammit, now I'm really intrigued!!
Granted, it won't be till the end of summer before I install anything, but still, come on!!
Damn, then I must have good luck with Alcans and have been very happy; granted mine are totally built to stock specs........with no lift or mods but they sure did change the ride to a much nicer one...again my old ones were crapped out totally with deep rust pitting; from personal experience can only say that mine were a good buy and will do it again.....cannot give an opinion on modified rides though............my 0.02
Lou
Lou
Everyone I have talked to has loved their alcans. So I dont know what's been up with the ones you have removed.
And not to be too synical but it sounds like to me that you have alterior motives with bashing Alcan. I dont know for sure. As I dont know you at all. But you go from bashing Alcan to escentally pimping anohter thing. I dont know your affiliation or even what "it" is. This is just what I am picking up from your post.
Yeah really. All I've heard so far about Alcans is that they're about the best spring you can get. And I have seen at least one thread, where a set was made too short, and Alcan had them sent back and replaced with ones the correct length for free. And anyways, you don't know what "suck-ass" is until you've had some MAF Safari's.
That was me. They were on my FJ40. All I did was call them to tell them what was up and they sent me a pair of new longer main leafs w/ no questions asked.
In my opinion people get into trouble w/ CUSTOM MADE SPRINGS when they dont give then manufacturer the correct "SPECS" or they just assume that they will be correct.
I have put Alcans on a handful of trucks in the past and as long as you are clear about what you want and how the springs will be used the springs are better than ANY of the other options especialy for the back of a 55.
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my brother ordered a set years ago and they were way short, wich made the ride poopy. i would order them 3 in longer than what you want!!
my 2c
my 2c
Here is my personal experience with Alcan. Long story short:Everyone I have talked to has loved their alcans. So I dont know what's been up with the ones you have removed.
And not to be too synical but it sounds like to me that you have alterior motives with bashing Alcan. I dont know for sure. As I dont know you at all. But you go from bashing Alcan to escentally pimping anohter thing. I dont know your affiliation or even what "it" is. This is just what I am picking up from your post.
I had a set of Alcans about 3 years ago. As I ordered the springs, I gave them all the specs that I needed and that they were for an FJ60 with a Cummins 4BT in it. I told them the dimensions and the extra weight I was carrying and it needed to be at least 4" of lift.
I got the springs and figured they were to my specs. I put them on and in 2 weeks, I lost 2.5" of lift resulting in a nice little dent in my oil pan. I also had problems with the springs being too long and locking my shackles to the frame.
I spoke to Alcan to see what they could do for me. They told me they were made to my specs and they would not warranty them. But, how come they did not hold up to the extra weight that I had told them about and the fact that they were made too long? After about 2 weeks of fighting with them, they took their springs back and refunded me the money.
FWIW, I was forewarned about Alcan ahead of time by someone who had had problems with them. But, I went ahead and ordered them anyways as I had heard really good things about them like some of you have. I did not listen to someone that really knew what the hell they were talking about and I ended up having problems.
So, Do I have alterior motives when it comes to bashing Alcans? Yes, yes I do. My motive is to forewarn people of their products as not being the end-all-be-all solution as some people make Alcan out to be. If I can prevent one person from having problems with Alcan, my bashing was worth it.
As far as my other solution for a FJ55 lift, it will not benefit me in any way nor the Land Cruiser shop that I work for. It is just something that I came across which most people would not have the opportunity. One of the perks of working with Land Crusiers every day.
FWIW,
I LOVED the alcans on my old FJ55. They survived a few owners and rode/flex great.
They are currently under minipig's ride and haven't sagged/failed at all to my knowledge. I wheeled them for 2 years, others before me and now minipig after me.
The only thing I would say is to order them 1~1.5" longer on the shackle side to help with angles. I have heard of others that have had great customer service from them. i wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone, but that is my opinion. And if someone gets them and loves them, then great.
I'm not sure why greasecruiser had such a bad rap as there seems to be WAAAY more positive reviews on alcans rather than negative in my searches.
You can search under this forum and you'll see my reports on alcans.
Just remember to take everyones post as just that. weigh in what everyone says and go from there to make your decision. And yes...pinnacles blow!
I LOVED the alcans on my old FJ55. They survived a few owners and rode/flex great.
They are currently under minipig's ride and haven't sagged/failed at all to my knowledge. I wheeled them for 2 years, others before me and now minipig after me.
The only thing I would say is to order them 1~1.5" longer on the shackle side to help with angles. I have heard of others that have had great customer service from them. i wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone, but that is my opinion. And if someone gets them and loves them, then great.
I'm not sure why greasecruiser had such a bad rap as there seems to be WAAAY more positive reviews on alcans rather than negative in my searches.
You can search under this forum and you'll see my reports on alcans.
Just remember to take everyones post as just that. weigh in what everyone says and go from there to make your decision. And yes...pinnacles blow!
I plan on adding a lot of weight to my 1969 FJ55 (bumpers, winch, extended range tank) so I plan to go with Alcans. None of the other options can be built based on the weight of the vehicle. As for having trouble with the proper length or shackle angle - I've seen several posts where they made it right with replacement springs.
I can only imagine that by now with all the Cruiser business they've had in recent years, that they'd have a pretty good formula to go by, with small variations for each individual.
Spring shops are everywhere. There's a place, Bett's, in Phoenix which I've used for a re-arch job, who could probably build the kinds of springs we use for lifts. But because Alcan has been used by so many 4x enthusiasts (but you can't please EVERYONE), they're who I've chosen to go with for my rears.
I'll keep an update when I get them, which should be any day.
Spring shops are everywhere. There's a place, Bett's, in Phoenix which I've used for a re-arch job, who could probably build the kinds of springs we use for lifts. But because Alcan has been used by so many 4x enthusiasts (but you can't please EVERYONE), they're who I've chosen to go with for my rears.
I'll keep an update when I get them, which should be any day.
- Thread starter
- #17
Yes, I began this thread seeking exact specs that were provided to Alcan, and how they were delivered, and how they rode. If I come up with a set of specs to send Alcan, I'd like to see how mine compare to what others have ordered, to see if what I'M giving them is correct.
I've had alcans on two trucks. The last set was made for the rear end only: 2.5" lift, an inch longer at the shackle end (with a 2"? over length shackle), and about 500lbs over stock with a 35 gallon gas tank, spare on the back, roof rack which I liked to load down. Worked perfect. 10" of travel at the bumpstop.
Alcan's been good to me.
Alcan's been good to me.