Author Topic: thoughts on Trail Gear HD leaf springs? (Read 32127 times)

<3 Low range · « **on:** Jul 02, 2013, 06:17:48 PM »

Just installed Trail Gear HD leaf springs on my SAS T100. The front is currently higher than the rear springs. For the rear lift i did a chevy spring swap. I have some buddies with Non HD TG leaf springs in the front and neither of there leaf springs seemed to settle. The one truck even has a beefy front bumper and a tune port 350 and still with all that weight never seemed to settle. Both of there trucks have also been lifted and wheeled for 2 years. Anyone have any experiences with them settling?
So far at this point i am considering going with smaller lift HD springs and perhaps even the NON HD springs.

zembalayan · « **Reply #1 on:** Jul 02, 2013, 08:28:15 PM »

If I were you, I'd corner weight your rig loaded and unloaded and call up a custom leaf spring manufacturer and have a set spring packs built to your desired specs. A lot can be done, including reverse eyes, etc. Or maybe you could try to build and experiment with your own spring pack configurations. I have personally used Marlin Crawler branded 4" fronts and 5" HD rears, which were great! I also have had great experiences with front and rear Aussie-made HD Old Man Emu 2" springs for a solid-axle 1st gen. mini truck, which I do love. I have also used front medium duty Emu Dakar 2" springs on a solid axle 2nd gen mini truck, which did not handle the extra weight of an ARB bumper and winch up front very well, but they still were not bad. I am currently using custom built thin leafed National Spring Company springs, which absolutely rock. I know that Deaver has a good rep. and I have checked with Betts Spring Company, and they will do custom if you want. As for Alcan, I have seen first hand and heard great things, but online i have read some strong criticisms, too, but mostly about service and botched orders. As you get into custom springs, the price begins to move toward a tipping point where you start to wish you just linked correctly in the first place, maybe by calling 4WU or a reputable fabricator / link suspension builder, which is to say (if you are not already suspicious or aware) that you will have wanted to avoid TG link kits all together and possibly other DIY Link kits as well. I like dumb, simple, yet high quality suspension components and leaves, Just like i have enjoyed and already described above. You got new stuff--not sure how it works or how it will hold up--but maybe you could try to make a hybrid pack with them if your dissatisfied. Good luck!

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #2 on:** Jul 03, 2013, 05:39:54 PM »

almost everything TG sells either doesnt work right or fails way before it should. they have "great prices" because the products they sell are cheap chinese knock off's. check out Old Man Emu or Allpro and pay a few more bucks now and never worry about it.

<3 Low range · « **Reply #3 on:** Jul 09, 2013, 06:13:38 PM »

I think that the allpro and TG springs are the same. Most likely made by the same manufacturing company. They have basically the same design, specs, and price.

Cyberman · « **Reply #4 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 03:58:56 AM »

Had the same problem.

I bought the hd leafs as well, because of the extra weight of a v6, winch and bumper.

Take out the HD leaf. Pretty sure it was the third one from the top, but TG can tell you for sure. HD is the same as regular, with that extra leaf.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

hansi530 · « **Reply #5 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 06:37:28 AM »

i bought the hd 4" leafs and it was probably one of the worst decisions i have ever made on my truck i bent them 2 weeks after i put them on and you loose the height really fast with in a half a year they sat about the same as a ruf pack

zembalayan · « **Reply #6 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 08:57:47 AM »

Quote from: hansi530 on Jul 10, 2013, 06:37:28 AM

i bought the hd 4" leafs and it was probably one of the worst decisions i have ever made on my truck i bent them 2 weeks after i put them on and you loose the height really fast with in a half a year they sat about the same as a ruf pack

This story seems to replay itself over and over.

Quote from: <3 Low range on Jul 09, 2013, 06:13:38 PM

I think that the allpro and TG springs are the same. Most likely made by the same manufacturing company. They have basically the same design, specs, and price.

Specs. published online seem different to me. You should ask TG and All-Pro; both would probably prefer accurate info posted. I have used All-Pro products, and I have been very happy with them. I have heard and read less than stellar reports about TG stuff, but many people like their prices, and it seems that some take a cafeteria approach with TG buying some things but avoiding other items. The choice is yours. I like this board. I have loved all the products and service that I have received from Marlin and Crew so I buy from Marlin.

88_Pathy · « **Reply #7 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 09:45:44 AM »

I have seen personally, TG leaves do not hold up well. But, since you already paid for them, pull a leaf and run them for a trip. They will settle, then plan on putting it back in eventually when they sag beyond your desired height and stiffness.

zembalayan · « **Reply #8 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 10:50:54 AM »

Quote from: 88_Pathy on Jul 10, 2013, 09:45:44 AM

I have seen personally, TG leaves do not hold up well. But, since you already paid for them, pull a leaf and run them for a trip. They will settle, then plan on putting it back in eventually when they sag beyond your desired height and stiffness.

Or he could sell 'em.

AaronB · « **Reply #9 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 11:53:33 AM »

Quote from: <3 Low range on Jul 09, 2013, 06:13:38 PM

I think that the allpro and TG springs are the same. Most likely made by the same manufacturing company. They have basically the same design, specs, and price.

How is that possible when TG uses Chinese steel and AP uses USA steel?

<3 Low range · « **Reply #10 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 01:11:35 PM »

I didn't know that TG used old american cars (chinese steel). so yes ALL Pro seems to be the superior product. ALthough iam still in college so the budget is slim. I would like to sell them and get a custom leaf set. I have also tried removing a spring almost made the arch flat. I do not remember if it was the third from top? Guess i will be experiment with the pack tonight. If still not happy they are going to be up for sale.

IronClad · « **Reply #11 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 01:34:42 PM »

Quote from: 79coyotefrg on Jul 03, 2013, 05:39:54 PM

almost everything TG sells either doesnt work right or fails way before it should. they have "great prices" because the products they sell are cheap chinese knock off's. check out Old Man Emu or Allpro and pay a few more bucks now and never worry about it.

Please tell me about all the TG products you have ran.

sparkys83yota · « **Reply #12 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 02:29:43 PM »

I have never ran tg springs. My only expierence is with all pro or marlin. I have built two rigs now. I sold my first one to one of my closest friends. The all pro springs on that rig are going on 5 yrs now and have not flattened out and still flex like crazy. My two cents is that it was worth the extra coin I spent on the springs. I have only heard bad things about tg springs. Does any one have proof that they are chinese steel?

IronClad · « **Reply #13 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 03:49:53 PM »

Quote from: sparkys83yota on Jul 10, 2013, 02:29:43 PM

I have never ran tg springs. My only expierence is with all pro or marlin. I have built two rigs now. I sold my first one to one of my closest friends. The all pro springs on that rig are going on 5 yrs now and have not flattened out and still flex like crazy. My two cents is that it was worth the extra coin I spent on the springs. I have only heard bad things about tg springs. Does any one have proof that they are chinese steel?

No noone does. They like to just talk smack because TG via good ole chris gieger the 4wd shop sleeper was going to merge with marlin and backed out at the last second. Anything they have to say about them is unfounded and generally they have never owned a tg part let alone held one in their hands. If they were as bad as they say they are on here my truck would have exploded or fell apart by now.

Allpro springs used to have a very bad issue where they would bend near the eyes making the spring into an S shape and sag very bad, If they still do this or not i am unsure.

AaronB · « **Reply #14 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 04:27:24 PM »

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=60158.0;highlight=hrew+test

IronClad · « **Reply #15 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 05:06:01 PM »

Quote from: AaronB on Jul 10, 2013, 04:27:24 PM

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=60158.0;highlight=hrew+test

Please show me where it says its chinese.

AaronB · « **Reply #16 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 05:33:51 PM »

http://www.trail-gear.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-6725.html

there are hundreds of topics on this, Tg will not release that information. It has been proven over and over they use "inferior" (Cough cough Chinese) metals.
Explain how else they are able to under cut everyone else on prices?

IronClad · « **Reply #17 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 05:52:31 PM »

Quote from: AaronB on Jul 10, 2013, 05:33:51 PM

http://www.trail-gear.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-6725.html

there are hundreds of topics on this, Tg will not release that information. It has been proven over and over they use "inferior" (Cough cough Chinese) metals.
Explain how else they are able to under cut everyone else on prices?

America also makes really terrible products and cheap steel. Just because somthing is american made doesnt mean its good. Again please show me where it says the steel is from china, That post you linked just shows some random person CLAIMING to have worked in QC and the material make up matches that of somthing that comes from china. Please explain to me how that means that their products are indeed from china.

Again and again i could go on about how many claims are unfounded but the fact of the matter remains that there is absolutely no proof and people yammer on about how they want american made parts on their jap truck just crack me the hell up.

AaronB · « **Reply #18 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 06:01:13 PM »

Yeah its called cast. Either way its an inferior product proven by Bike Mike himself.

IronClad · « **Reply #19 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 06:02:40 PM »

Not going to prove to me about how its china steel ?

AaronB · « **Reply #20 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 06:10:45 PM »

I think the fact that they won't release the information is proof enough. Why hide it?

IronClad · « **Reply #21 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 06:16:15 PM »

Its pretty standard industry practice that they wouldnt release the makeup of their material. I bet if you went and asked marlin for their exact makeup of their material they would tell you to go away. In fact im pretty sure its already been asked and the people were told no. The reason to hide it is so that others do not copy it, there are many proprietary things going on with all aspects of the manufacturing world that are a closely guarded secret.

People just get this stupid notion that they are somehow entitled to know exactly how/what goes into the product they buy.

AaronB · « **Reply #22 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 06:38:46 PM »

You're definitely entitled to your opinion but I'll stick with what I believe.

IronClad · « **Reply #23 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 06:43:05 PM »

Thats fine and dandy. Just know its based on unfounded misinformation

Nation · « **Reply #24 on:** Jul 10, 2013, 08:36:14 PM »

TG= POOP

mudaddict · « **Reply #25 on:** Jul 11, 2013, 10:52:32 AM »

Quote from: <3 Low range on Jul 09, 2013, 06:13:38 PM

I think that the allpro and TG springs are the same. Most likely made by the same manufacturing company. They have basically the same design, specs, and price.

just want to clearify this. They are not the same springs. We have had our springs well before trail gear came about. They were designed after our springs

Cheesemaker · « **Reply #26 on:** Jul 11, 2013, 10:59:52 AM »

Why don't you call Sky Offroad and ask them why they quit selling TG stuff? I was down there and picked up a SAS front crossmember and asked them about what they have that is TG, cause I refuse to run their stuff. And they said they got tired of trying of sell product that just comes back broke or bent in a matter of a couple trips.

Ironclad, the failed merger was a blessing. It was a scam that Chris Geiger organized!

Snowtoy · « **Reply #27 on:** Jul 11, 2013, 11:26:59 AM »

Quote from: IronClad on Jul 10, 2013, 06:16:15 PM

Its pretty standard industry practice that they wouldnt release the makeup of their material. I bet if you went and asked marlin for their exact makeup of their material they would tell you to go away. In fact im pretty sure its already been asked and the people were told no. The reason to hide it is so that others do not copy it, there are many proprietary things going on with all aspects of the manufacturing world that are a closely guarded secret.

People just get this stupid notion that they are somehow entitled to know exactly how/what goes into the product they buy.

Country of manufacture of a product/materials used in the product is not proprietary information, just the make up of the raw materials would be.

The only reasons why a company wouldn't tell a customer where the products or the raw materials to make the product were produced, is because they are ashamed of to say, don't know, or don't care. As a customer you have the right to know where the product is made, whether for a belief in quality or simply because you don't want to support a nation that isn't inline with your political/social belief system.

pumkin toy · « **Reply #28 on:** Jul 11, 2013, 01:44:07 PM »

idk anything about what quality of steel TG uses or what country it comes from. the fact still remains that most of their springs bend, break, sag, wear out and all around generally suck! Two of my buddies made the mistake of putting them on their rigs and they bent and sagged within a few trailrides. I'm not here to say everything tg makes is garbage, because there are some products I would buy from them, but leaf springs are NOT one of those products!

OME or custom built Alcan springs are the best aftermarket stuff you can buy. otherwise just run the stock Toyota stuff! Why get rid of the quality parts that are already on our Toyota's?

IronClad · « **Reply #29 on:** Jul 11, 2013, 03:48:47 PM »

Quote from: Cheesemaker on Jul 11, 2013, 10:59:52 AM

Ironclad, the failed merger was a blessing. It was a scam that Chris Geiger organized!

Yes it was ! I have an extreme hatred for Chris. When i had found out he was going to work for marlin after being at all pro i spoke up and spoke my mind about him but was reasured that chris was such a good guy blahblahblahblah whatever.. we all know how that turned out though dont we.

<3 Low range [OP]

<3 Low range [OP]

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