From Rancho to Alcan, Wow! (1 Viewer)

[RattleCan]

Just got done putting 5 inch lift custom Alcan leaf springs in the cruiser today! I’ve only driven it around without shocks to shake down and measure for shocks but I’m super impressed at how flexible and soft the springs are. Going from Rancho 2.5 lift springs night and day difference!

4 plus u bolt flip kit-great product

Had to make new shackles and unfortunately had to make new drag link also, big lift.

Rancho top vs Alcan bottom

Front shackle angle looks perfect, rear a lil more steep but not vertical also perfect.

 

[RattleCan]

Before-saggy ass and no room for activities

After Fenders and Lift-fixed and fixed

 

[77mustard40]

Nice, looks like fun right there

 

[White Stripe]

What size tires are those? I have a feeling youll need longer shackles.

 

[B y r o n]

Just got done putting 5 inch lift custom Alcan leaf springs in the cruiser today! I’ve only driven it around without shocks to shake down and measure for shocks but I’m super impressed at how flexible and soft the springs are. Going from Rancho 2.5 lift springs night and day difference!
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4 plus u bolt flip kit-great product
View attachment 3565549
Had to make new shackles and unfortunately had to make new drag link also, big lift.
View attachment 3565550
Rancho top vs Alcan bottom
View attachment 3565551
Front shackle angle looks perfect, rear a lil more steep but not vertical also perfect.

Looks good but if I were you I would double check that your drive shafts still have enough engagement, especially at full droop. I remember reading that 4" lift was about maximum before you ran the risk of dropping drive shafts on the trail.

 

[sogncab]

I'd death wheel off the excess ubolt on the flip kit

 

[POPO AGIE]

I also installed a set of Alcan springs on my 78. 4" inch lift in the rear and 3" in the front. Looks like I will need a longer shackle for the rear since the front is still a little high.

 

[jim land]

View attachment 3565552
Before-saggy ass and no room for activities
View attachment 3565553
After Fenders and Lift-fixed and fixed

Did you consider flipping the rear springs to get a longer wheelbase , since your quarter are damage

 

[RattleCan]

What size tires are those? I have a feeling youll need longer shackles.

These are 37’s. These shackles are 4 inch eye to eye, why do you think I would need longer?

Looks good but if I were you I would double check that your drive shafts still have enough engagement, especially at full droop. I remember reading that 4" lift was about maximum before you ran the risk of dropping drive shafts on the trail.

Will definitely confirm I have enough splines engaged, thanks!

Did you consider flipping the rear springs to get a longer wheelbase , since your quarter are damage

Did consider but opted against. Have a toolbox welded into rear floor that I want to keep and prevents me from moving axle back more than 3 inches.

 

[RattleCan]

Spent the day finishing up the lift and installing shocks. Many small tasks to attend to. Wanted to address caster angle as I felt I lost a little driveability lifting the truck an additional 2.5 inches. I also wanted to address my pinion angle as my new lift has also changed driveline angles and I do no want any vibration at speed.

The first task was to measure my current driveline angles. My driveshaft is basically flat, the angles I am concerned with are the flanges of the transfer case and pinion and trying to get them as parallel as possible.

Transfer case flange angle- can’t change.

Pinion angle Before- About 6 degrees difference between the two surfaces and for a two joint driveshaft we are looking for .5 degree to 3 degrees.

The plan- remove the 4 degree shims from the front, install new 6 degree shims (in front) and re-use 4 degree shims in the rear to correct pinion angle.

Driveshaft before shot- nice and flat but you can easily see pinion needs addressing.

 

[bikersmurf]

Cool… I’ll have to get me some one of these days

 

[RattleCan]

Pulled rear driveshaft to make working on the rear shims a little easier but mainly wanted to check spline engagement to make sure I don’t drop a driveshaft at full droop. I started by marking where driveshaft sits at ride height with yellow tape, removed driveshaft and measure 2.75 inches of spline engagement at ride height. I think I’m fine especially knowing how flat my driveshaft is, that’s gotta affect spline travel.

New 6 degree caster shims up front and new Bilsteins.

4 degree shims in the rear- Fat side to the rear with a two joint driveshaft.

New Pinion angle- About 2.5 degrees off parallel from the transfer case flange.

Took for nice high speed drive to test all the new things. Huge success all around! Caster and driveability is great, no vibrations in the driveline and the Bilsteins complement the Alcans perfect.