Alcan Springs Quote for Jan-2026

[Chris Scarff]

I just received my quote from Alcan Springs for hull #110. Not including shipping or taxes it's around $1065.00. I still need to confirm my U-Bolt size, likely 9/16" (confirmed).  I know they are 3" wide.

The info below is likely in other threads, sorry for repeating, but here are the weight/load specs between the springs.

• 4-Leaf: 2250 x 4 = 9,000 lbs
• 5-leaf: 2750 x 4 = 11,000 lbs

Does anyone have pics of the 4-leaf springs? I figure the second leaf extends way out like the 5-leaf springs - not sure. 

I have already installed a 5-leaf set on a friend's Oliver, so I know what to expect there.

There is really little to no price difference Tim said at Alcan, between 4 or 5 leaf springs.

I do find it difficult to believe that we'd see an more wear & tear between 4 or 5 leaf springs.  I've seen the thick steal used per leaf.

 

Edited January 5 by Chris Scarff

[Chris Scarff]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I changed my forum profile name from Wayfinder to my Name, so Facebook folks can make a better correlation.  

[jd1923]

Chris, most of us went with the 5-leaf version. I'm VERY happy with them! The HD springs create a much better towing experience where the WDH is not longer needed for me.

[Chris Scarff]

I'm not sure how the WDH relates to the springs.  A 150/1500 will still "suggest/require", for insurance likely, a WDH.  But that's okay.  I'll be moving up the truck size soon enough.  

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, Chris Scarff said:

I'm not sure how the WDH relates to the springs.

I found the OEM springs to be under-sprung, too soft for the near 7K top-heavy load of the Oliver. Mine used to waddle left and right and porpoise up and down at the hitch. I needed the WDH to keep the Oliver in control when towing.

With our suspension upgrade, both D52 axles and HD Alcan leaf springs, the Oliver is towing straight and even, no more waddling, no porpoising. The tow vehicle suspension no longer has to compensate for the weaker trailer suspension. So cool. 😎

[Geronimo John]

33 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

I found the OEM springs to be under-sprung, too soft for the near 7K.... 

 

Duhh.....  They were undersprung for a 6,000 pound OE2.  At 7,000 pound for sure the running gear would be stresed to the max and over the limit with about any G-forces from the road surfaces.  So I guess I need to include in the 10%er's anyone near 7,000 pounds should also consider going with the super springs.  As in YESTERDAY. 

But at 6,000 pounds and 560# tongue weight, the Dexter PB4's (2400 pound rated) seem to be a good choice.  Especially at $60 a leaf vs $149 each as listed above.      

GJ

 

 

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, Geronimo John said:

the Dexter PB4's

Haven't we had this discussion? (And ours is closer to 7K GTW.)

[Galway Girl]

We had the 4 leaf alcans put on in October and they are a great upgrade.

They also gave me the extra leaves in case I wanted to add them in the future.

I also replaced shocks and equalizer at the same visit an it only took Alcan 3 hours. 
 

Craig 

Edited January 6 by Galway Girl
Add

[Geronimo John]

2 hours ago, Galway Girl said:

We had the 4 leaf alcans put on in October and they are a great upgrade.

They also gave me the extra leaves in case I wanted to add them in the future.

I also replaced shocks and equalizer at the same visit an it only took Alcan 3 hours.

Chris:

I positively think that your choice is the best Alcan option for the vast majority of OE2 owners looking to have a reasonable ride with the best springs.   I like that they hedged the bet with giving you the fifth leaf  just in case you go wild and jump into the 10%er's team.  

Our Ollie is out west in the mountains a lot.  Since I just this past year changed to the heavier higher rated Dexter's, I'll likely just go with the 5200's to get the 12" brakes, but will stick with the Dexters as they are already installed.  

GJ

PS what shocks did they use?

Edited January 6 by Geronimo John
added shocks

[rideandfly]

8 hours ago, Galway Girl said:

We had the 4 leaf alcans put on in October and they are a great upgrade.

They also gave me the extra leaves in case I wanted to add them in the future.

I also replaced shocks and equalizer at the same visit an it only took Alcan 3 hours. 
 

Craig 

Appreciate the photo and good move to replace the shocks & equalizer, too.

I checked with Tim and Alcan's spring wet bronze bushings are 1 ¾” wide 13/16” OD x 9/16” ID, compared to my Dexter's 5200lb 1 3/4" wide 11/16" OD X 9/16" ID spring wet bronze bushings, Alcan's wet spring bronze bushings have a thicker wall.

I like our Dexter's 5200lb 12" brake drums, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 6 by rideandfly

[CRM]

8 hours ago, Galway Girl said:

We had the 4 leaf alcans put on in October and they are a great upgrade.

They also gave me the extra leaves in case I wanted to add them in the future.

I'll be upgrading to Nev-R-Lube axles at some point this year and will be going with the Alcan 4 leaf spring pack too. Glad to know they give you the extra leaf, though I doubt I'll ever need them. 

[Chris Scarff]

Thanks everyone for the info, and thanks to @Galway Girl for the picture of the 4-leaf spring.  I just don't see having any issues with either the 4 or 5-leaf springs, especially since I pack light.  The 4-leaf set is so much heavier duty than the stock Dexters already, that 2,000 pounds over max axle rating is certainly enough.... although, if I do upgrade to the 5200 lb axles, I'd be ready with the 5-leaf springs at 11,000 lbs rating.  Dang it.  Decisions, decisions.  I'll be putting in my order soon, either way.

Tim @ Alcan said they are about 6 to 8 weeks out from shipping.  They're getting popular.

I also confirmed with Tim that the splined wet bolts should indeed fit tight into the splined shackles.  The first set of springs I helped replace did not come with any splined shackles, that did seem old since we had splined wet bolts, but we had to complete the job that day to get back on the road.

I will confirm when I receive my springs.

PS. I have plans to upgrading my truck to a 2500 as well, taking care of any lingering porpoising going over bridges, and getting rid of that damn Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch.

I want to carry more tools and supplies, and add a cap to the truck. I'm pushing my weight limit now with Decked drawers full of tools currently in the truck.

Cheers for now.  Retirement is sooooo damn close, I can taste it.

 

 

Edited January 6 by Chris Scarff

[Galway Girl]

8 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

PS what shocks did they use?

The shocks are bulldog shocks.

Bulldog HD Shock Absorber Replaces 555001 For Trailer Leaf Spring Retro Kit

They were ordered on-line for around $145 from 4 state trucks.

19-050000007: Bulldog HD Shock Absorber Replaces 555001 For Trailer Leaf Spring Retro Kit

 

[Chris Scarff]

@Galway Girl Thanks for the Shock info. I just ordered a set. It's time others try new products too.  

I'll let you know how it goes.  

Edited January 6 by Chris Scarff

[Steve Morris]

1 hour ago, Chris Scarff said:

Cheers for now.  Retirement is sooooo damn close, I can taste it.

You said that last year! 🤣

Will we see you next week in Live Oak? We'll be on site 10 again.

[Chris Scarff]

5 minutes ago, Steve Morris said:

Will we see you next week in Live Oak? We'll be on site 10 again.

Yes, Site 72, unless they change it again.  LOL

[Chris Scarff]

Springs Ordered:

I talked with Lew for quite a long time today.  He cannot believe how many Olivers they're doing these days. They try to keep at least one set of springs on the shelf at all times for Ollies.  Mine will ship next week. All they need to do is create the 9/16" x 3" U-bolts.

I told him on my way out West, someday, I'll have them slap on the 5200 lbs axles too. LOL. He just said give them some lead-time.  

I think Lew convinced me to just stay with the 5-leaf set, but also said I can simply remove the bottom leaf if I wish, no big deal.

And when someone asks, Lew did say they recommend always leaving 20% of max spring capacity for "wiggle room". So:

4-leaf springs x 4 = 9,000 lbs - 20% (1800 lbs) = 7,200 lbs
5-leaf springs x 4 = 11,000 lbs - 20% (2200 lbs) = 8,800 lbs

You would definitely want to upgrade the axles before hitting 7100+ lbs.  LOL
 

Edited January 7 by Chris Scarff

[Mike and Carol]

1 hour ago, Chris Scarff said:

I told him on my way out West, someday, I'll have them slap on the 5200 lbs axles too. LOL. He just said give them some lead-time.  

I had ALCAN upgrade my axles a few months after I had their springs installed.  I dropped off around 8:00 and they were done at 10:00.  Enough time for breakfast and a stroll around Bass Pro Shop!  Mike

[John and Debbie]

10 minutes ago, Mike and Carol said:

I had ALCAN upgrade my axles a few months after I had their springs installed.  I dropped off around 8:00 and they were done at 10:00.  Enough time for breakfast and a stroll around Bass Pro Shop!  Mike

Mike, we did the same thing with just the five leaf spring upgrade.  We had breakfast, but walked around town.  Lots of street art.  Lew's team is great.

John

[Patriot]

Alcan Spring visit and 5 leaf pack install went smooth and quick. I don’t recall the exact labor charge but it was reasonable.
The install only took Lew’s team 2.5 hrs and was worth every penny, I never broke a sweat. 😄 A first class install.
 

 

Still have my Alcan hat! 

Edited January 7 by Patriot

[Chris Scarff]

Alcan has already shipped the springs. Shipping was $175 via UPS. Final cost was $1291. I suspect that would be nearly the same cost having them installed by Alcan themselves. Give or take a few bucks. Can't wait to get started.  I love the experience.  This will be my second install of Alcans.  It also keeps this "aging" body moving more.  Too much desk work as a career in Information technology. 😜

PS: Lew did confirm that their shackles are NOT splined, but the wet bolts are.  I'm not sure why they have decided this, but as we did Steve's camper, I will mark the bolt ends with a scratch, in order to know where the grease hole orientation is upon installation.  It's the best we can do I think, in this situation.  I explained that to Lew, and they don't seem to see an issue with splineless shackles.  Just FYI.

 

[Patriot]

12 hours ago, Chris Scarff said:

Alcan has already shipped the springs. Shipping was $175 via UPS. Final cost was $1291. I suspect that would be nearly the same cost having them installed by Alcan themselves. Give or take a few bucks. Can't wait to get started.  I love the experience.  This will be my second install of Alcans.  It also keeps this "aging" body moving more.  Too much desk work as a career in Information technology. 😜

PS: Lew did confirm that their shackles are NOT splined, but the wet bolts are.  I'm not sure why they have decided this, but as we did Steve's camper, I will mark the bolt ends with a scratch, in order to know where the grease hole orientation is upon installation.  It's the best we can do I think, in this situation.  I explained that to Lew, and they don't seem to see an issue with splineless shackles.  Just FYI.

 

Here’s a pic of the HD wet bolts. Hopefully you also ordered the HD shackles. I had Alcan install the wet bolts with the grease zerks facing under our Oliver for easier access when greasing the zerks. 

 

 

Edited Friday at 01:31 AM by Patriot

[Chris Scarff]

I just received my shocks, thanks @Galway Girl and I know @jd1923 has used these too I think I saw in another post. Can't wait to get started, but I have another rally in a week.  LOL 

[Tideline77]

5 minutes ago, Chris Scarff said:

I just received my shocks, thanks @Galway Girl and I know @jd1923 has used these too I think I saw in another post. Can't wait to get started, but I have another rally in a week.  LOL 

Would you share the cost and the online vendor and part number for us ADD folks ?

 

[Chris Scarff]

@Tideline77

It's above, but here it is again with current pricing.

(edited): Ordered from 4 STATE TRUCKS https://www.4statetrucks.com/

Item:
19-050000007: Bulldog HD Shock Absorber Replaces 555001 For Trailer Leaf Spring Retro Kit

As of January 2026: Qty 4 = $154.40, shipping to GA just over $14.

 

Edited Friday at 01:51 AM by Chris Scarff