Alcan 8 Leafs and Bilstein 5125s Install

[TacoGunner]

Finally had time to write up my rear end install.

This was done the day after we installed my SAW CO's and new Camburg UCA's. Here's that thread if your interested http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73802

Alcan 8's and Bilstein 5125's upon delivery




First thing we did was cut the stock exhaust so it wouldn't get in the way of the new springs. I could have used an exhaust hanger bracket but I like not being able to see the exhaust pipe coming out the rear of the truck, just me. I also protected the bare metal of the exhaust pipe w/ JB weld to keep it from rusting.

Before


After


Now it was time for the new leafs! We decided to replace the brake line first. This was pretty easy, just remove the e-clip on the high side take the hard brake line loose and then unscrew the stock brake line near the rear axle. This is also a good time to bleed the brakes when you get the new line in.

This is the only picture I have before we removed the stock brake line.


New brake line installed


Preparing to remove the stock leafs


Stock LR shock, U-bolts and bump stop removed


The rear shackle bolt was a pain to get out because it was press fit. I beat the crap out of it (w/ nut protecting the threads and lots of WD-40) until it finally came out. Here's is a shot of the LR stock leafs removed.


Leaf Comparison


We had better luck bolting up the ends of the leafs before placing the Alcan leaf pins in the axle. These leafs were side specific also (L and R). We determined left and right from 'L' and 'R' stamp markings on the factory spindles. Left being the driver's side and right being the passenger side. Note the full military wrap towards the front.


We relocated an e-brake cable bracket from the rear axle to the gas tank to allow free movement of the cable between full lock and full droop. We noticed this while cycling the rear suspension with our floor jack.



Wheeler's sent the wrong sized bushings w/ my 5125's so we had to put the stock shocks back on until the bushings came in a week later . The stock shocks were at full extension and barely fit. I had to drive around gingerly (with weight in the back) to keep the shocks from bottoming out.

Here's a shot of the new Alcan's and stock shocks. The chrome colored U-bolts from Wheeler's were bugging the hell out of me so I painted them black! Flat black spray paint is your best friend!


Pictures of the 5125's and black U-bolts


Stock

Finished front and rear suspension w/ 265/75/r16 BFG MTs

[KingoftheCarnivalCreation]

nice pics and nice job how does she ride??

[TacoGunner]

Originally Posted by KingoftheCarnivalCreation

nice pics and nice job how does she ride??

Very responsive and on the rough side when the bed is empty but I personally like the kick of a stiffer/rougher ride. Rides like a dream when the bed is loaded w/ my camping gear. It is much improved over the sluggish stock ride. I'm also happy with the travel I get out of the rear axle now.

My ass end sits a little higher than I would like but I'm hoping after awhile it will settle down. I got about 3in of lift in the rear with the Alcan's and have about 1/2in of rake with the SAW's set at 2.5in.

[schutz006]

Nice looking rig. How was the install. Mine was a bitch to get done. But it's in and I'm very happy with it.

[RETRO]

Tacogunner when you ordered you leafs did you order a 2" lift or 3"?What it the height differnce bewteen the front and back? I ordered Saw coilovers and a Alcan 8 leaf 2" full leaf set..When I ordered them from Alcan I told them i will be adding a fiberglass topper so he sai 8 leaf and 2" lift to match the Saw coilovers..Thanks

[TacoGunner]

Originally Posted by RETRO

Tacogunner when you ordered you leafs did you order a 2" lift or 3"?What it the height differnce bewteen the front and back? I ordered Saw coilovers and a Alcan 8 leaf 2" full leaf set..When I ordered them from Alcan I told them i will be adding a fiberglass topper so he sai 8 leaf and 2" lift to match the Saw coilovers..Thanks

I ordered my Alcan's through Wheeler's Offroad. They say the springs will lift the typical V6 xtra cab 4x4 Tacoma 1.75" to 2" over stock. I have a 4 cyl xtra cab so I was expecting 2.5" to 3" over stock. I currently have 3" over stock (1/2" rake from front to rear) but I'm anticipating the springs to settle around 2.5" over time. 2.5" in the rear would level out my truck and match the 2.5" I want to keep in front with my SAWs. I carry loads such as camping gear, fire wood, etc. but no camper or constant load in the back. I'm hoping the leafs will settle another 1/2" but no big deal if they don't.

Not sure what they mean by matching the CO in the front. You could match either 2" or 3" of lift in the rear with the SAWs easy, but it's recommended you not go over 2.5" in the front because of CV angle issues.

[Cruznlife1]

I ordered my alcans through wheelers with the shocks and all, same deal you've got. The springs WILL relax, soften and settle after a couple thousand miles. I was ass high for about 2 weeks. Than the harshness went away, with my bed unloaded, it rides much better than stock (level too)....

[RETRO]

I have read that most say if you get 2" coilover on the front,that you want to go with a 1.5" lift in the rear to level it out..When I talked to Tom at Alcan I told him I am going with 2" coilovers on the front and that I will be adding a topper on my truck he said to go with 2" 8 leaf on the rear..I just dont want mine to be rear high a lil is fine but nothing noticable by looking.....Anyways your Truck looks super sharp..If possible post pics sxs with before and after..I hope my stuff comes in soon tired of waiting..

[7wt]

I don't understand all this level lift stuff. A truck is supposed to have a slight amount of rear lift to compensate for added weight. My truck sits butt high with Donahoes at 2" and Deaver 8 leafs when it is unloeaded but sits and rides just right when there is some junk back there.

[SANDBAG475]

Very Nice Truck! I Have The Ome Suspension And Dakar Springs. It Looks Like We Got About The Same Overall Lift, Since We Both Have The Same Tire And Wheel Size. I Got My Stuff From Wheelers Too, And In The First Delivery Attempt(a Week Late On Ship Out Date) One Of The Dakar Springs Was Broken. Had To Send It Back, Wait Another Week. Went To Finnaly Do The Install And Realized They Never Sent The Rear Shock Bushings Either. It Really Sucks When You Pay For Stuff And Are Told You Will Have Everything And You Will Have It By This Date, And You Dont. But Wheelers Made Good , And I Would Still Use And Recomend Them. Good Shots Of The Install!!

[RETRO]

Originally Posted by 7wt

I don't understand all this level lift stuff. A truck is supposed to have a slight amount of rear lift to compensate for added weight. My truck sits butt high with Donahoes at 2" and Deaver 8 leafs when it is unloeaded but sits and rides just right when there is some junk back there.

I understand that but I dont want my rear to sit 2" higher than the front..Stock my truck is about 1/2"-1" high in the back..

[Cruznlife1]

Originally Posted by SANDBAG475

Very Nice Truck! I Have The Ome Suspension And Dakar Springs. It Looks Like We Got About The Same Overall Lift, Since We Both Have The Same Tire And Wheel Size. I Got My Stuff From Wheelers Too, And In The First Delivery Attempt(a Week Late On Ship Out Date) One Of The Dakar Springs Was Broken. Had To Send It Back, Wait Another Week. Went To Finnaly Do The Install And Realized They Never Sent The Rear Shock Bushings Either. It Really Sucks When You Pay For Stuff And Are Told You Will Have Everything And You Will Have It By This Date, And You Dont. But Wheelers Made Good , And I Would Still Use And Recomend Them. Good Shots Of The Install!!

I feel bad for your shift key

[04rktaco]

Shocks are upside down. Shaft should be on bottom

[TacoGunner]

Originally Posted by 04rktaco

Shocks are upside down. Shaft should be on bottom

Finally! Someone wants to bitch about the damn shock orientation! According to Bilstein it doesn't matter.

[TacoGunner]

Originally Posted by schutz006

Nice looking rig. How was the install. Mine was a bitch to get done. But it's in and I'm very happy with it.

The rear install was a peice of cake compared to the front. The only problems were getting the bolts out of the rear shackles when removing the stock springs.

[04rktaco]

Originally Posted by TacoGunner

Finally! Someone wants to bitch about the damn shock orientation! According to Bilstein it doesn't matter.

Just giving you a hard time. Jealous since i still have stock rear springs with Daystar shackles. At least i have the Bilstein 5100's

[TacoGunner]

Originally Posted by 04rktaco

Just giving you a hard time. Jealous since i still have stock rear springs with Daystar shackles. At least i have the Bilstein 5100's

Yeah the Bilsteins are nice. Are you considering a full leaf pack upgrade? What about your front end, you say CO's in your sig but which ones are you running?

EDIT: Oops, I guess your running allpro CO's?

[04rktaco]

Originally Posted by TacoGunner

Yeah the Bilsteins are nice. Are you considering a full leaf pack upgrade? What about your front end, you say CO's in your sig but which ones are you running?

EDIT: Oops, I guess your running allpro CO's?

Thinking of going with the All-pro 3 in and stock shackles if the stock springs ever give up. Unlike every one else with stock springs mine have held up real good so far and i flex the shit out of them and carry heavy loads once in a while

[schutz006]

Originally Posted by TacoGunner

The rear install was a peice of cake compared to the front. The only problems were getting the bolts out of the rear shackles when removing the stock springs.

Mine was the opposite. My front went smooth...took probably all of 2 hrs from starting to get everthing together to having everthing put away. The rear took almost 8 hrs. Not having enough C clamps to hold the leafs together w/o having to jack up, place one of them in, and then vice grip them together like 18 times it seemed like and then my Bilsteins were a pain to get on. The bushings were just a smidge too small and with the tight space to work in, couldn't get enough of a good whack at it with a rubber mallet.
But, shit, it is all done and I'm very happy with it. It rides so much better than stock.
The price we have to pay to have the good looking rides

[boostedka]

Originally Posted by schutz006

Mine was the opposite. My front went smooth...took probably all of 2 hrs from starting to get everthing together to having everthing put away. The rear took almost 8 hrs. Not having enough C clamps to hold the leafs together w/o having to jack up, place one of them in, and then vice grip them together like 18 times it seemed like and then my Bilsteins were a pain to get on. The bushings were just a smidge too small and with the tight space to work in, couldn't get enough of a good whack at it with a rubber mallet.
But, shit, it is all done and I'm very happy with it. It rides so much better than stock.
The price we have to pay to have the good looking rides

How much rear lift did you end up getting with the 3 leaf? and how does seem to ride. That's pretty much the setup I'm looking to go with so any info would be helpful.

[schutz006]

Originally Posted by boostedka

How much rear lift did you end up getting with the 3 leaf? and how does seem to ride. That's pretty much the setup I'm looking to go with so any info would be helpful.

I ended up with about 1.75". I left the overload leaf in wich gave me that width lift on top of what the add a pack was supposed to.
Ride wise, it is much better than stock. It's pretty smooth and handles bumps way better. Everybody kept saying that it would definately be better than stock but it's even better than I thought it would be. Keep us posted on when you get it in.

[TacoGunner]

Originally Posted by schutz006

Mine was the opposite. My front went smooth...took probably all of 2 hrs from starting to get everthing together to having everthing put away.

Yeah my front took longer because of the new UCA's. We had a terrible time getting the stock upper ball joints out. Come to find out you can rent a ball joint puller from autozone for free.

CO's went in with a little massaging.

[TacoGunner]

Originally Posted by schutz006

The rear took almost 8 hrs. Not having enough C clamps to hold the leafs together w/o having to jack up, place one of them in, and then vice grip them together like 18 times it seemed like and then my Bilsteins were a pain to get on. The bushings were just a smidge too small and with the tight space to work in, couldn't get enough of a good whack at it with a rubber mallet.
But, shit, it is all done and I'm very happy with it. It rides so much better than stock.
The price we have to pay to have the good looking rides

So let me get this straight, the AAL 3-pack is held in by the U-bolts alone? There is no way to attach the AAL's to the stock leafs?

On the bilsteins I used a floor jack to get the bottom bushings lined up, and then I released the floor jack at the same time pushing sideways on the shock to "snag" the lower shock mount. Then I pounded it the rest of the way with a deadblow.

For others: Use dishsoap to lube up the inside of the shock bushings, it makes it much easier for the bushings to slide onto the upper and lower shock mounts!!

[DavidTaylor9]

This is my deaver 3 leaf the military wrap holds it all togather

[ShowStop]

Originally Posted by TacoGunner

Finally! Someone wants to bitch about the damn shock orientation! According to Bilstein it doesn't matter.

True it doesnt matter, but with a shaft down orientation, you are less likely to dent the shock housing. This gets to be more important on a Bilstein single wall shock because dents will impair the operation of the shock.

[schutz006]

Originally Posted by TacoGunner

So let me get this straight, the AAL 3-pack is held in by the U-bolts alone? There is no way to attach the AAL's to the stock leafs? !

Originally Posted by DavidTaylor9

This is my deaver 3 leaf the military wrap holds it all togather

Yep, the military wrap holds them in place, and the centering pin, and the Ubolts. It's just like the overload leaf in a stock pack. The only thing holding it in is the centering pin and the Ubolts.

Originally Posted by TacoGunner

For others: Use dishsoap to lube up the inside of the shock bushings, it makes it much easier for the bushings to slide onto the upper and lower shock mounts!!

Great advice...I ended up, after 45 minutes of fighting with the damn things, putting some oil around the shock mounts and around the inside of the bushings.

Originally Posted by TacoGunner

Yeah my front took longer because of the new UCA's. We had a terrible time getting the stock upper ball joints out. Come to find out you can rent a ball joint puller from autozone for free.

CO's went in with a little massaging.

Yeah, I saw that you did the UCA's. I didn't. That would definately make it more time comsuming and a pain in the butt....but well worth it.

[TacoGunner]

Originally Posted by ShowStop

True it doesnt matter, but with a shaft down orientation, you are less likely to dent the shock housing. This gets to be more important on a Bilstein single wall shock because dents will impair the operation of the shock.

Good point...do you know off hand if the 5125's are single walled?

[Wheelin taco2131]

since you have that big ol' spare tire under there, the shock looks crowded!

[DavidTaylor9]

Throw it in your bed

[TacoGunner]

Originally Posted by Muddin taco2131

since you have that big ol' spare tire under there, the shock looks crowded!

As we speak I'm packing up my gear (and other people's gear) into the back of my truck to go wheeling up in CO. I have zero room in the back for the spare. I wish I had a swing gate to get that tire completely out of the way. Next project