Rear Leaf Springs

Jacqson · January 10, 2005

Hi Guys, I have an 02 3/4 Ton Sub with an RCD 6"lift. I would like to replace the rear 4" blocks with a set of 4" inch Rear Leaf Springs. I have checked out a few places and have narrowed it down to either Alcan or National. (I contacted Deaver and they wouldn't make them) Has anybody out there had experience or used either Alcan or National custom made springs on their trucks. Any info or feedback would be greatly appreciated and thanks for your time in helping me out with this decision.

Mule · January 10, 2005

A little different than what you are doing, but I wanted to get rid of the 4 inch blocks in the back of my Yukon. I have Skyjacker 6 inch springs with 2 inch blocks. Yukons and Suburbans are heavier in the back, so it is about 7 inches of lift. You could do a 1 inch block or no block, too.

The Skyjackers have not sagged at all in 5 years (with two trips to the Arctic). I don't have any experiece with the two brands you mentioned, but a 4 inch spring to replace the blocks, would only be 4 inches of lift total. Shouldn't you go after a 6 inch spring?

Also, be sure to check driveshaft angle and length. Can you believe when I swapped from the blocks to the springs, I had to SHORTEN my driveshaft? The mounting position on the springs was more forward than with the blocks.

BDZ71 · January 10, 2005

I run Alcans.

Best spring company around IMO. And many others have that same opinion.

They had great customer service and answered all my questions whether it was on the phone or via Email.

Every spring they make is made for YOU. They do not produce springs to be sat on a shelf and sold. Each spring is custom made just for you.

They are working on about a 3 week backorder last time I checked. Not a bad thing, its just from the time you order it takes them roughtly 3 weeks to get to your order and get them out, they are that popular.

I would tell ANYBODY to go with Alcan, I am 100% happy with them, and would go with them again today if I was in need of a spring IMO

hope that helps

1st new GMC · January 14, 2005

I've delt with National spring in El Cajon, CA. before. They made a new rear spring pack for me when I was stationed in So Cal and I had a Toyota 4x4 many years ago. They had one of their engineers talk with me to understand exactly what it was that I wanted to do with the suspension. ( I wanted to get rid of the 4" lift block, and have some soft, flexible springs for playing in the rocks and sand)

It took about 3 weeks for the springs to be made, but it was well worth it. They performed perfectly, and were very well built with good details like a "military wrap" on the ends, teflon shims on the ends so the spring pack wouldn't make noise, good quality rubber bushings ( they talked me out of urethane,which I'm glad they did) and they used a bunch of thin leaves, instead of 4 thick ones.

The truck rode great, it towed the dirt bike trailer with no sagging and the springs flexed like crazy when I played on the rocks, keeping all 4 tires on the ground, most of the time.

While this was like 10 years ago, I know that they still supply most of the off-road racing teams with springs and are still a great source for custom springs.

LiftedHDRado · January 18, 2005

Are "ATLAS SPRINGS" any good?

Jacqson · January 18, 2005

Are "ATLAS SPRINGS" any good?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They were recommended to me by Deaver and I spoke with them on the phone and they sounded OK, but I like a place that has a website you can checkout and both National and Alcan have a site that you can send your spring specs into them and they can give you a firm quote. Also both Alcan and National have good articles about them in 4X4 mags. That's my 2 cents.