Alcan, All-Pro, or Chevies?

[toyotaboy]

I am in the market for a set of rear srings for my 85 extra-cab Toyota. In front i already have Alcan 5.5's and love them but what about the rear? What would your suggestions be on which is better and why?

[shasharep]

I have all pro all the way around and feel like they are too stiff and the rear does not flex very well. Also I ran Fins n things last week and both of my rears have a reverse arch now about 6 inches in front of the shackle. I know that is not normal.
Late Shaw

[freds40]

It all depends if you would rather spend the time or just the money. I am going to  be putting on chevies on next weekend (among other things) and the main reason I went with them is that they came with a bunch of extra stuff when I bought the truck. I don't like to spend money if it's not necessary so that's what I'll use. I ahve access to all the scrap steel I need for my new mounts and shackles and a big shop to do all my welding and fabbing. If you have Alcan's in the front and like them and would rather the install take only an hour or two, then just get more Alcan's for the rear.  Good luck either way.

[RUGER]

toyota boy

i run all-pro's springs; 5" front, 5.5" rear. it flexes pretty good. i plan on taking a leaf out of the rears to get more...my rig rides too high in the rear anyway(my exo will help this too).

as a rule of thumb...the higher the lift the less it flexes.

happy trails
rich *ruger*  :chug: :chug:

[RUGER]

I have all pro all the way around and feel like they are too stiff and the rear does not flex very well. Also I ran Fins n things last week and both of my rears have a reverse arch now about 6 inches in front of the shackle. I know that is not normal.
Late Shaw

shaw

call all-pro and see what they can do for you. i have heard that they have good customer service. good luck.

happy trails
rich *ruger* :chug: :chug:

[BigMike]

shasharep wrote:

I have all pro all the way around and feel like they are too stiff and the rear does not flex very well.

Is your rig extra light?? I know they dont flex as well as Alcans, but I have not heard of them being to stiff....

[mr4x42u]

I have not been impressed with allpro's rear springs either..i would go chevys for cheap ness but alcans if ya got the$ to spend..

[shasharep]

I have called All Pro several times and was told that they are supposed to flex well after a month of hard trail runs, I also spoke to Alcan ane had my springs checked by a local shop for spring rate, it was 250 Lbs, where Alcan suggested 125-150, depending on recovery gear and the weight of the truck, for reference I have a '93 SWB reg cab V6 with a Leer shell that I run full time. I will be going to Alcans A.S.A.P. Also I will be doing the AOR orbit eves in the rear and poly eyes in the front.  However I am also planning a extra cab swap and a bed bob so I will have the srings built after that is all done, and the truck re-weighed. How much lift ae you getting with a Chevy or Waggy springs?
Late Shaw

[mr4x42u]

you will see 2-2 1/2 maybe 3 inches with chev springs.Usally you need to run a block to get the vehicle level..I think the reason all por's spring are soo still is to keep axle wrap down..I went with the softer spring rate but have to run a trak bar to keep wrap down now..But It worth it over the stiffer spring in my opinion.. :chug:

[shasharep]

Thanks for the info, I need the softer spring rate for sure, the truck rides like a 1920's buckboard if you know what I mean... Heck the wife wont go with me any longer because the ride to the trail kills hern and when momma aint happy aint nobody happy... Hell the dog even whines now when he goes with me, the only person who does not complain is my son, he still thinks it is cool.

[Brandon]

don't rule out mazda. I got a funky hybrid 7 leaf of mazda with one toyota and one alcan

[WHITE_TRASH]

yall should like this one.  i will be doing a spring swap on an 85 long bed this week.  the kicker is that im using 85??  cadilac eldorado springs they have hella arch and are soft!  5 leaf loooong packs. they are 24.75x30.5.
unloaded!! :thumb:  the rig has 5 in skyjacker all the way around now but he killed a rear, so im gonna experiment! :~~:

[Rock_Starr]

"they are 24.75x30.5."
White trash what are these specs
i am curious about the caddy springs. can you give a full rundown:
spring rate,
free arch,
free length,
over all length,
spring width,
eye width,
any special leaves(millitary or anti wrap)
center pin location.

RS

[WHITE_TRASH]

i just got done with the swap first thoughts are as follows havent had them out on the trail yet of course but they ride well ..... like a caddy these things flex like all hell!!!  by 24.75x30.5 i meant free length unloaded in inches.  they are a 2.5 in. wide spring they sit almost flat at ride height.  they truck was a little asshigh before but now it is level!  trust me I actually checked with a level!  i used the caddy hangers in front and the shackles are in the stock local on the frame.  I made the shackles out of 2 in. x .25 in. plate they are 6.75 in. long bolt center to bolt center i had to bend them out to fit the wider bushing the shakles are 3 in. wide at the spring.  the shocks are still in the stock mounts but that will change this week also.  i moved the caddy hanger forward.  now the center of the bolt is 7.125 in. forward of stock.  the springs length at ride height is 25.125 in. x 31 in. the short side is forward.  the hangers are 3 in. wide inside to inside  so far I would suggest this swap to anyone but they have yet to be run through the ringer,  so that may or may not change only time will tell :thumb:

[WHITE_TRASH]

almost forgot you wanted more specs.
1.  spring rate/ soft, i never actually measured it.
2.  free arch/ i didnt measure this either but id say about 12 in.
3.  everall length/ 55.25 in. unloaded, loaded 56.125 in.
4.  spring width/ 2.5 in.
5.  eye width/ 3 in.
6.  no special leaves they came out of a caddy not a cj2a!!

[WHITE_TRASH]

Update,  after driving most of the day on these springs they kick major a$$! they ride very good and dont lean too much around quick corners major improvement over skyjacker rears!! :thumb:

[toyotaboy]

About how much lift do they give you? Any pics of the process and ride hight?

[WHITE_TRASH]

the truck has 5 in. skyjackers on the front with stock shakles.  as of now it sits level so id say 5 in. of lift if you make the shackles as I did and use the caddy front mount.  If you were making a dedicated trail toy id use the springs as is but as you are probobly making a multiuse vehicle id suggest an add-a-leaf. for load ability
with them as is with about 300 lbs in the bed it sits about an inch lower!!  like i said they arent for hauling weight! what I will do this weekend is try a stock overload in the pack.  We'll see how that goes and Ill keep ya posted and Ill post pics tomorrow.

[WHITE_TRASH]

sorry couldnt get pics the owner came and got his truck.  hes going playing in the snow tomorrow so i should have a good idea of how they work.  Im deffinately gonna add a stiffer leaf to the pack these springs have a huge amount of travel!!!  i cant get a good measurment as of yet because the springs compress so much.  the tire cramms against the top of the fenderwell and the frame in the rear.  im going to put a ifs axle in it asap.  so maybe then I can get a good measurement of the droop.

[Rock_Starr]

Sounds like a really good swap.  My only concern is axle control  and a stiffer leaf should help with that, so let us know how that goes.  . .

Seems like the chevy springs would be too stiff to flex very well given the difference in bed weights of the two trucks.  The only truck ive seen with those springs seemed like most of the travel was coming from the double shackle.  Anyone running this set up, seen it or have comments. I am curious.

[vikingsven]

Just out of curiosity, what does a set of springs from Alcan generally cost??
AP's are something like $300 for the fronts and $400 for the rears.
For a basic daily driver/trail rig with a light load, what is the optimum spring rate to look for front and rear??

[mr4x42u]

:screwy:OVER 500 A SET...DEPENDING IF YOU WANT ORBIT EYES IN FRONT/REAR OR BOTH ENDS OF THE SPRINGS...

[vikingsven]

I know that AOR's springs are made by Alcan, and you can get them through those guys, but from what I understand their service leaves a lot to be desired   They also seem a little spendy.  
Maybe ordering springs directly from Alcan is a better way to go? Are there any other distributors?

[84runner]

Anyone got some good links to find these Alcans and AOR's

[supercrawler]

 All pro stop selling alcan 'cause it sag  after about year.
  that what i was told. So they were selling beat spring insted ..they said it has  better flex  and less sag.   so i bought beat spring it has 56"long  it's been year and 3 month now and doing so far so good on my 86 runner.

[WHITE_TRASH]

84runner check www.aor4x4.com and to contact alcan directly www.alcanspring.com.

[84runner]

Hey thanks WHITE_TRASH, they got some really cool stuff.

[WHITE_TRASH]

yet another update just got home with the truck with caddy springs.  putting 5012's all around along with the u bolt flip and ifs axle.  and to top it all off im puting a marlin crawler in it!!!  not sure what # he has but ill register it here for marlin.

[toyotaboy]

when are you going to get the pics!!!!

[WHITE_TRASH]

Id love to take pics right now but my mom borrowed my digi
did I mention this thing has a V6 rear and high pinion front with 5.29s and arbs??  this truck is a machine!!!  Oh yea im cleaning the intake as detailed in these very pages!!  Thanx for the heads up on that one.
DWT