Offroad Tech Discussion pertaining to additions or questions which improve off-road ability, recovery and safety, such as suspension, body lifts, lockers etc
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Stiff Alcan leaf pack and not much traction on a trail

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 07:18 PM
  #1  
dfoxengr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
Stiff Alcan leaf pack and not much traction on a trail

did my 3" susp. lift two months ago and finally had a chance to wheel it a week ago. i was climbing this hill and no matter which line i took, i could not get any traction in the rear due to the ruts and my suspension not flexing enough.

i have an 8(?) pack replacement leaf from alcan which was my rear lift, as well as bilstein 5150's.

my buddy and his discovery walked right up it pretty easily. and i used to be able to do the same on the first try (before lifting).
we have had a bit of rain and washout, but i should still be able to get up it.

does anyone have any suggestions?
i was getting nasty wheel hop while spinning the rear.

tacoma v6, unlocked.

im thinking a locker and a traction bar would do the trick, but i hope the leafs arent really causing much trouble.

-derek
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 05:57 AM
  #2  
rockota's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 792
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Not much information to go on in your post. Alcan makes some of the flexiest springs out there, so I'm not sure why yours don't flex as desired. Are your shocks limiting flex? Bumpstops? Have you talked to Alcan yet?
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 08:53 AM
  #3  
tc's Avatar
tc
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,875
Likes: 3
From: Longmont, CO
I agree with rockota. Did you go with bigger tires and now you're clawing at the sides of the rut instead of being down in it? Does the higher center of gravity make you take a slightly different line?

Locker would definitely help.

x2 on calling Alcan - especially if you take your truck to a scale and get the axle and total weights.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 09:38 AM
  #4  
dfoxengr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
same tires, and i tried multiple lines. nothing was limiting flex then.

maybe since its been like 2 months i just wasnt used to it. ill go again here soon and see if anything changes.
thanks
-derek
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 01:57 PM
  #5  
JGM's Avatar
JGM
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
How long have you had the alcan pack? They are great springs, but you HAVE TO break them in - you gotta load up the truck with a ton of weight and throw it against some rocks. It takes a little time.

I have alcans on the front and rear of my 96 4Runner, and have done fine. Make sure you are airing down enough, too.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 02:04 PM
  #6  
dfoxengr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
first post says how long ive had them.

thanks for the advice.

-derek
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 02:44 PM
  #7  
Flygtenstein's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,216
Likes: 1
From: Fort Collins, CO
Number 1, break in the springs.

Number 2, suspension travel is not the sole effector of traction.

Does it travel more than before? Are the bumpstops/shocks in place correctly?

Maybe time for a locker?
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 06:23 PM
  #8  
JGM's Avatar
JGM
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Fair point.

Those springs are no where near broken in, especially a pack with so many leaves.

Good luck, and be patient. Those are tough springs. Use'em.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2006 | 05:12 AM
  #9  
dfoxengr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
i just think they need to be brokekn in

of course the components are in place correctly, lol.

thanks.

-derek
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
justdifferentials
Just Differentials
5
Jun 13, 2022 07:40 PM
justdifferentials
Vendors Build-Ups (Build-Up Section)
14
Jun 11, 2017 08:36 PM
sonorn67
84-85 Trucks & 4Runners
3
Sep 19, 2015 05:39 PM
Jake28296
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
4
Sep 16, 2015 06:10 AM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:39 AM.