Alcan springs

[Zeus33rd]

After a huge ass ache trying to get my BDS springs delivered, they were returned and my money refunded. I had them shipped to my grandparents place in Cali, they're old, 80+, so they never go anywhere. The BDS guy said the freight company tried 3 separate times to deliver them. I explained my situation with the deployment etc, he said any fees will be waived and the springs shipped out the next day. Well, they never shipped, and my refund was $250 less than what I originally paid them. BDS can kiss my ass.

So now I'm looking at the Alcan's. Who runs these? What do they cost? I don't really care what they cost, I'm going to buy them anyway, I'm just curious. How did the ordering process go? Good experience or bad? I've got an email out to them with info on the truck and a quote request, we'll see how it goes. I've been reading good things about Alcan's customer service, just wondered if any of you guys had anything to add.

 

[Greg72]

Hey Joe,

My front springs were designed by ORD, then built by Alcan to Stephen's specs. You've seen the flex pics I'm sure....

The trickiest part will be getting an accurate set of specs for them to work from. They will want to know the sprung weight of your truck, the amount of lift you want, eye-to-eye measurements, etc. I'm sure with your research you can probably figure out what similar trucks weigh...then add in any "extra" stuff like a winch, aftermarket front bumper or whatever else would add weight that isn't normally there.

Getting the spring design right is definitely a GIGO process (garbage in, garbage out)...if you make too many assumptions or guesses on the details they need to build from, the springs won't end up as good as they could be.

The only word of caution I would give you is to also consider the usage of the truck and not to go TOO soft with the springs. Mine were designed at a 240Lbs/in rate which around these parts they'd call "wicked soft". Really, almost too soft for street driving, though if I'd ever figured out a swaybar setup that worked it would have made a huge difference.

Since you have a good relationship with ORD, you should talk with Stephen and see if he'd be willing to design something for your application and act as the "middleman" with Alcan. It might end up costing you a few extra bucks, but with Stephen involved and watching your back you know that he'd worry about all the little details and get the design perfect for you.

 

[Zeus33rd]

Right on Greg, I was hoping you'd reply. I remembered your springs being Alcans and wanted your feedback. Do you remember how much you paid? Did you deal with Alcan at all or was that all done on Stephens end? I'm figuring $1,200 or so for both front and rear sets, does that sound right?

 

[Greg72]

IIRC, my set was only around $400 but that was when Stephen was just starting to offer that service and to be fair it was also almost 8 years ago....

$600/set sounds like the right ballpark, and like I said if you're getting professional design help included it makes the deal even sweeter.

 

[tRustyK5]

I had Alcan's on my old '81 K5...drove it for about 500 miles with them. That was the final nail in that trucks coffin. I bought them from a member here, and unfortunately he had had the springs built specifically for crawlin and no street. Spring rate was under 200 lbs/in, and on the street it handled like a monster truck...would lean right over in a slow corner, and maybe return to level after the corner if it eventually felt like it. I had 3-4" of brake dive up front with less than moderate braking.

They sure did flex though!

Do not aim for the soft side of things when you spec and order. You will regret it.

Rene

 

[AJs72K5]

I'm running Alcans. Ordered them direct. They were somewhere around $950 shipped to TX front and rear. I've been real happy when the truck was together and driveable.

 

[rob h]

I have alcans on the front of my truck also. Mine were purchased but never used, bought them here in the classifieds. I have about 8 inches of lift with a 7.25 shackle, mine are super soft also are 53 inches. I have installed rancho 9000 9 way adjustables to help with them being so soft. I didnt get to test em off road yet since i converted to propane but it drives super nice...lol. If your daily driver id talk to them with you needs...

 

[1967k10]

I have a set not currently on a truck and man do they flex well . I'd hate to even consider them on the street though . Way too soft.

 

[84CUCV]

4th time i have heard bad things about BDS. hope you get your 250 back

 

[fallguy]

stephen designed me a front set for my truck & did a awesome job. i havent got to test them on the street or trail because of a new engine install but they handle good just moving around

 

[Zeus33rd]

Ok, I sent emails out to both Deaver and Alcan 2 days ago, and recieved replies back from both of them today. I must say....Gaaaawwwd daaaman what difference. In both price and the content of the emails.

This is the email I sent. Exact same to both companies.

I have a 1990 GMC V3500 dually that I'm looking to get some new springs for. I need 8" front springs and 4" rears. (shackle flip). My truck has a big block 454, auto trans and winch/winch bumper up front. Not so much a work/towing truck as a weekend toy. Ride quality and handling are priority. But not so much that the truck loses it's capability for towing/hauling. How much for a set of your springs? How do I order them if I decide to go with you guys? DO you need any other info? I'm in the Army currently deployed in Iraq, just lookin to have some springs ready for me when I get back. Thanks.

Alcan's reply-

Hello Joe

Thank you for visiting our web site. At Alcan Spring we custom build our springs to fit your GMC by using information you give us about its weight distribution, lift requirements, and how you plan to use it. The cost of the springs: $ 265.00 each Front spring and $ 260.00 each rear spring. They come with bushings and take about 3-4 weeks to design and build. The cost is for 8” front and 56” long 4” lift rears. I well need you to check the length of your rear spring because you could have 64” long springs on the rear and they cost 320.00 a side. The towing and hauling is the important part here. I well need an idea of the front bumper weight and other than that the front is not a problem because the weight does not change. The can be a problem because the amount of weight can change a bunch. Because you are looking for ride we suggest building the springs for the amount of weight that is there all the time and then use an over load for the times you haul or tow. We handle Timbren which you can go on line and look at.

If you have any other questions please feel free to email or give us a call at 1-888-321-0870. When you are ready to order please call us so we can discuss any particulars you have for the performance of your springs.



Thanks Again

Charles

Deavers reply-

The fronts would run $900 and the rears $750 and take three weeks to produce. They will be a high leaf count of thin material to yield the best possible ride both on road and off.

Those are both direct copy/paste.

So-

Deaver= $1650 total with a somewhat anemic return email. No questions, no nothing really.

Alcan= $1050 total with a return email exactly how it should be from a company selling a custom product and looking to gain a customer.

I'm now certain which company is gonna get my business. Even if prices were identical, Alcan would get my money just based on his email, hell I haven't even bought anything from them yet and I'm already impressed with the customer service.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Ok, I sent emails out to both Deaver and Alcan 2 days ago, and recieved replies back from both of them today. I must say....Gaaaawwwd daaaman what difference. In both price and the content of the emails.

This is the email I sent. Exact same to both companies.



Alcan's reply-



Deavers reply-



Those are both direct copy/paste.

So-

Deaver= $1650 total with a somewhat anemic return email. No questions, no nothing really.

Alcan= $1050 total with a return email exactly how it should be from a company selling a custom product and looking to gain a customer.

I'm now certain which company is gonna get my business. Even if prices were identical, Alcan would get my money just based on his email, hell I haven't even bought anything from them yet and I'm already impressed with the customer service.

wow. what a diffrence there.

actually while shopping around online i had decided on alcan only because they seem to still be a custom house, where it seemed like deaver had moved more to the cookie cutter side with customs as an option. (atleast how it seemed).
that pricing actually seems much cheaper then i was expecting, so i'm glad i found this thread. if you pull the trigger keep us posted on how everything works out.

 

[Zeus33rd]

wow. what a diffrence there.

actually while shopping around online i had decided on alcan only because they seem to still be a custom house, where it seemed like deaver had moved more to the cookie cutter side with customs as an option. (atleast how it seemed).
that pricing actually seems much cheaper then i was expecting, so i'm glad i found this thread. if you pull the trigger keep us posted on how everything works out.

I get the exact same idea about Deaver. I seem to remember them being more a custom shop, rather than the one spring fit's all type. Now it seems they're right along with BDS...a higher quality, but still cookie cutter spring.

I'm definitely gonna pull the trigger, probably beginning of next month. But it won't be till the end of the year when I can report back on them.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

I get the exact same idea about Deaver. I seem to remember them being more a custom shop, rather than the one spring fit's all type. Now it seems they're right along with BDS...a higher quality, but still cookie cutter spring.

I'm definitely gonna pull the trigger, probably beginning of next month. But it won't be till the end of the year when I can report back on them.

this wont do!

just kiddin boss. let me know how the order process goes and what all info they have you provide so i can get mine ready ahead of time.

 

[Zeus33rd]

Sure thing.

Believe me, it's killing me being 8k miles away from home. it was only 115* today.

Hey, you're in Sunnyvale? The truck is currently a few hours away up in Grass Valley. When I get back to the states at the end of the year, I'll be there for a few weeks putting the rig together. If schedules permit, perhaps we could get together and drink some beers or somthin.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Sure thing.

Believe me, it's killing me being 8k miles away from home. it was only 115* today.

Hey, you're in Sunnyvale? The truck is currently a few hours away up in Grass Valley. When I get back to the states at the end of the year, I'll be there for a few weeks putting the rig together. If schedules permit, perhaps we could get together and drink some beers or somthin.

abostivley.
i just got my new engine set down in the truck this past weekend so hopefully i can get it hooked up and running in the next few days. once it moves under its own ass again ill be game for anything.