I lean-but for how long?

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65swb45

65swb45

Elder Statesman
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marksoffroad.net
I walked outside the shop in the middle of the afternoon Monday to find the 45 had a lean it hadn't had on the drive in that morning, or even when I moved it earlier in the afternoon after finishing a customer's truck.

Lo and behold!

CIMG0811.webp
 
These of course are the Alcan springs that I've been SO happy with for the last 6 years [maybe 7, I really can't remember] I'm sure I have at least 40,000 miles on them, maybe more. With the hundreds of backcountry wheeling trips I've done since then, I must live a charmed life for the leaf to break right in my driveway!

Now I've got to call Alcan and see what they can do for me. Of course, having read all the bashing threads involving them for the last few years, I am a little wary going into this. So I figured I would just start a thread and let you all know what happens.

:cheers:
 
I called today and spoke with someone named Gus. He said they would make me a new main leaf for 6.50 a pound, which I think is a very interesting way to quote a job. He also wants me to send in the broken leaf, along with the leaf underneath it so they can match the arch, which sounds reasonable, providing I haven't damaged that leaf in the process of driving the truck back home (I splinted the main leaf and drove very carefully!)
 
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how long does it take them to make it and get it back to you?
 
apeterson said:
how long does it take them to make it and get it back to you?
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They said it would take about a week and a half from when they get the broken leaf from me to when I should expect the new one, so two weeks overall.

I haven't pulled the leaf off yet. 1. I've been hella busy fixing other people's trucks; 2. I'm exploring another option, which I'll have more on next week; and 3. I've got use of the Hendog's little red truck to run the errands I would need my lwb for:grinpimp:, so I can take a little time sorting this out.
 
Update. I spoke with Eli at Camel 4x4 about using some Ironman springs, as I am an Ironman dealer anyways.:idea:

Being a dealer has it's :grinpimp: I had another order of FJ60 springs coming in anyways, so Eli comp-ed me a pair of 45 springs to try out!:bounce:

If you thought the FJ60 spring packs were beefy, check these out:

CIMG0828.webp
 
Picture of the splint I made to get the truck home:

CIMG0829.webp
 
Comparison shot of the two springs. You can see that the Ironman springs are designed to carry a LOT more weight. The big question is WHAT the ride quality will be like with all those leafs.

I thought about de-leafing the pack right off the bat, like I did with 45dude when we put his Ironman springs on. Then I decided that since my bed does already have a fair load on it [aux tank, rack, bumper, sliders, toolboxes] I should give 'em a try as-is.

My current thinking is to 'switch gears' from taking the karma cruiser to Death Valley next week and take the 45 so I can get some feedback on the springs before I swap on the other side. In the meantime, I will probably send the broken leaf into Alcan. It's nice to have options.

CIMG0830.webp
 
Initial installed height of the Ironman spring is almost the same as the 5" Alcan, with two important exceptions.

First, I had to move the passenger side of the rear axle approximately 3/8" forward to get it to the center pin of the leaf pack, which means that my axle is no longer perpendicular to the frame. :frown: Not a viable long term solution, but I will live with it while I'm evaluating the ride and getting the Alcan replaced.

Second, the shackle angle is quite different:

CIMG0832.webp
 
65swb45 said:
Second, the shackle angle is quite different:
Click to expand...

Are the springs the same length pin to pin along the top of the long leaf? Is it just the arch that is pulling the shackle vertical?

mark
 
So am I understanding this right, you were comped a pair of springs but you only installed one? Mixing an Alcan spring with an Iron Man spring? If so, no wonder the shackle angles are different and the center pin is in a different location.
 
65swb45 said:
Comparison shot of the two springs. You can see that the Ironman springs are designed to carry a LOT more weight. The big question is WHAT the ride quality will be like with all those leafs.

I thought about de-leafing the pack right off the bat, like I did with 45dude when we put his Ironman springs on. Then I decided that since my bed does already have a fair load on it [aux tank, rack, bumper, sliders, toolboxes] I should give 'em a try as-is.

My current thinking is to 'switch gears' from taking the karma cruiser to Death Valley next week and take the 45 so I can get some feedback on the springs before I swap on the other side. In the meantime, I will probably send the broken leaf into Alcan. It's nice to have options.
Click to expand...

Unless it's an optical illusion, the Ironman spring looks much shorter than the Alcan. That would explain your vertical shackle angle when installed.
 
Would we not expect the springs to flatten a little out after a few months and thus be longer, restoring the shackle position?
 
The point about having mixed springs on the rig is now moot; when I returned from Death Valley yesterday, someone came by the shop and helped me install the left rear spring.

The point of having the two different springs on the vehicle at the same time was to offer other 45 owners a literal side- by-side comparison between two different makes of springs so that they could SEE the difference. The Alcan was ordered on the same specs as 65fj45's springs on the sea foam green flatbed, which Alcan told me at the time was a 5" lift. The ironman lift is advertised as a 2" lift. It has been my experience with both the 40 and 60 springs from Ironman that I have installed here at the shop that a. they provide more lift than the stated height, and b. they don't necessarily settle quickly. Some of the installs are approaching the two year mark without showing much of any settling.

Having said all that, the one installed spring already has a better shackle angle after my first off road trip with it, sans pulling any leafs from it. The way I beat on my junk, I'm sure they will settle in just fine.

I will keep you all posted. FWIW, I still plan to send the broken leaf back to Alcan for replacement.
 
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Spike Strip said:
So does this mean you're changing the name of the truck to Eileen ?

:rolleyes:
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I suppose I could have...for two weeks.;p

Tina and I just call it 'The Idaho' cause that's where the PO had it. My friends just call it 'Ol Blue.';)

And which of your rigs responds to 'Dusty'?;p
 
KT40 said:
Mark,

I think a good road trip up here in Norcal this upcoming weekend to the 45 run might help settle those springs a little more! Hope you can make it!
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That it would my friend. I will be making a road trip with the 45 on Friday... back up to the high desert tho. My friend Sam [the one that bought the MM40] had the starter go out on her 1959 F500 that she uses to haul water to her house. I brought it down to L.A. on my way back Friday, and need to return it to her before she runs out of water.:eek:

After that, I have a music party to attend not to much further up the road.:cool:
 
Dusting off an old thread to put it to bed. I never ended up dealing with Alcan. I just moved on. Somebody bought the old springs from me as-is and dealt with them. I've lost track. The Ironman springs worked out fine...but I've no idea how I will warranty them now that Eli is no longer doing this.
 
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