Made in USA leaf springs

[katanapilot]

I was going to ask the same thing.  I’m pretty comfortable with a 4 leaf full length spring made with US steel and a 2000 lb rating.  

[Geronimo John]

18 hours ago, CRM said:

Why the focus on the weight of the spring and where does this number come from? I admit that I know nearly nothing about leaf spring tech, but shouldn't the weight rating of the spring and the quality of the steel and construction be all that really matters? 

More steel means a spring is likely to be able to handle stress longer for a given design.  The weight of the spring design can be found in it's specifications.

Where made is a different discussion entirely.  

[CRM]

15 minutes ago, Geronimo John said:

More steel means a spring is likely to be able to handle stress longer for a given design.  The weight of the spring design can be found in it's specifications.

Where made is a different discussion entirely.  

I understand all this, I was just wondering how you came up 17 pounds being the minimum weight. I would hope that if Alcan designs a spring with a 2000# rating that it would perform as expected and exceed what is required for an LE2 no matter the weight of it. I'm running on 16 year old springs at the moment, that thankfully don't show any of the typical Dexter flattening near the eyes, but want to upgrade soon myself and I'm a little worried about installing springs rated for nearly double the weight we usually travel at. 2000# Alcan's seem like a perfect match but now I'm a little nervous and and asking questions due to your opinion on the weight of them...

[jd1923]

5 minutes ago, CRM said:

I'm running on 16 year old springs at the moment, that thankfully don't show any of the typical Dexter flattening

Ours are 10 years old, look nicely arced. Purchased a backup pair for travel safety, but leaving ours as-is until maybe one day I upgrade to 5200 lb axles and the would get the 5-leaf Alcans which is the co recommendation. Perhaps Dexter used better steel 10-16 years ago. Leave well enough alone in our case.

[jdmmtx]

We had the 4-leaf Alcan springs installed yesterday along with the 5200 axles. Not sure if we’re the first with this spring version but think we may be. We’ve only towed about 125 miles but so far so good. Will update in a week or so after we have traveled a much longer distance. GJ, one of the guys at Alcan said the 5-leaf spring weighs in at around 23 pounds, so, if that is accurate, I’d say the 4-leaf is more than 17. But I certainly don’t know for sure.

[Mountainman198]

7 hours ago, jdmmtx said:

We had the 4-leaf Alcan springs installed yesterday along with the 5200 axles. Not sure if we’re the first with this spring version but think we may be. We’ve only towed about 125 miles but so far so good. Will update in a week or so after we have traveled a much longer distance. GJ, one of the guys at Alcan said the 5-leaf spring weighs in at around 23 pounds, so, if that is accurate, I’d say the 4-leaf is more than 17. But I certainly don’t know for sure.

Glad you got what you wanted. Lew and his team are Great. 
 

the springs you bought are just like the top one in the attached pic, minus the bottom most (short) leaf, correct?

Please keep us advised as you put more miles on the new suspension

[Geronimo John]

On 5/28/2025 at 12:30 PM, CRM said:

Why the focus on the weight of the spring and where does this number come from? I admit that I know nearly nothing about leaf spring tech, but shouldn't the weight rating of the spring and the quality of the steel and construction be all that really matters? 

More steel means a spring is likely to be able to handle stress longer for a given design.  The weight of the spring design can be found in it's specifications.  Under no circumstances would I replace my springs with a lightweight version.  (Edit:  under 16 pounds)

Where made is a different discussion entirely.  

Edited May 31 by Geronimo John
Clarified what a light weight version is...

[Geronimo John]

On 30 May 2025 at 9:15 AM I spoke with Tim at ALCON.  He responded with shipping weights.  So I asked him to actually weigh the naked springs we are using.  Here is his verified statement:

      4 Leaf 2,000 Pound Rated Spring with  19 1/2 pounds of USA made Steel

      5 Leaf 2,700 Pound Rated Spring with  23 pounds of USA made Steel

As I stated  a couple of times above, the ALCON 4 leaf clearly has the Rating (2,000#), weight (19#+), and compliance (4-Leaf) to make it very well suited for use by most OTT owners.  As such, it is my recommendation for likely +/- 85% of the fleet to use as replacements.  If price point is of concern, then the Dexter PR4 springs fits the bill as well.  

Also as indicated in a few places in this mile long thread, if you are heavy and/or do a lot of boondocking with questionable roads/paths or hiking trails with your Ollie, you are part of the +/- 15% of the fleet and should consider the USA made Alcon 5 leaf spring.

GJ

Edited May 31 by Geronimo John
typos

[Geronimo John]

15 hours ago, jdmmtx said:

We had the 4-leaf Alcan springs installed yesterday along with the 5200 axles. Not sure if we’re the first with this spring version but think we may be.

Rock Solid.  Wish I had the same with disk brakes too!

GJ

[jdmmtx]

16 hours ago, Mountainman198 said:

the springs you bought are just like the top one in the attached pic, minus the bottom most (short) leaf, correct?

Correct!

[Galway Girl]

On 5/30/2025 at 12:42 PM, Geronimo John said:

As I stated  a couple of times above, the ALCON 4 leaf clearly has the Rating (2,000#), weight (19#+), and compliance (4-Leaf) to make it very well suited for use by most OTT owners. 

@Geronimo John
 

I’m planning on doing the 4 leaf pack later this fall.  Do you think for new shocks it’s better to use new Bulldog Shocks or stick with the OEM Monroe’s.  I’ve changed out my Monroe’s about 2 years ago.   I’m thinking of using new Bulldog’s and keeping the 2 best old Monroe’s as spare. 
 

Thanks for your advice.

 

craig

[Geronimo John]

4 hours ago, Galway Girl said:

I’m planning on doing the 4 leaf pack later this fall.  Do you think for new shocks it’s better to use new Bulldog Shocks or stick with the OEM Monroe’s.  I’ve changed out my Monroe’s about 2 years ago

Craig:
I got 40K Miles out of our OEM Monroe shocks.  All four of them were fine.  With tires off they are a snap to change, I would do so when doing the springs.

But a lot of others have gotten a lot less miles on their OEM Monroe shocks.  I have no experience with the Bulldog's, but from  this forum it appears they are doing well.  How well vs. cost? 

How about it fellow "Bull Doggers"  Any shocking experiences so far?  🙂  

GH

[jd1923]

  

On 6/2/2025 at 9:45 AM, Galway Girl said:

I'm planning on doing the 4 leaf pack later this fall.

We're traveling this week, 1300 miles in a few days on our original leaf springs (backup set onboard in case of roadside failure). This will be our first trip of real mileage, likely 4500 miles when back home and done.

I love auto restoration with HD/HP parts, so I will start collecting parts, budget permitting over the next year or two, as I always have.

First, I will purchase two 5200 LB axles to fit the Oliver (68" or 68 1/2")? Then likely a disc brake system, although upgrading from 10" to 12" drum brakes may be enough for a trailer (cost basis).

Then we will go with the Alcon recommended leaf springs, proven by our friends and confidants, Lance @Mountainman198 (how are you buddy)? And of course Steve @ScubaRx (call me before I call you), and say hey to Tali, see you soon)!!! When you see Steve's 3500+ Diesel Truck, 1000 LBS of tools onboard (beside the usual campin' stuff), he is cruisin'. 🤣

We're are going to have a b!tch'n setup (when?) and when we're up I will likely mount my Honda CRF in place of the front basket and mount a big-@ss basket in the rear. I totally need a waterproof carrier like a Thule carrier, just to hold my acoustic guitar! And to carry all the extra weight, my 25-year-old Ram-Cummins will need extra leaf springs on each side of the rear axle! 🤣🤣🤣

Edited Tuesday at 11:40 PM by jd1923

[Geronimo John]

On 6/3/2025 at 12:50 PM, jd1923 said:

I will likely mount my Honda CRF in place of the front basket

Now that is a bad-boy machine I could really enjoy!

I would likely go for the endure street legal 350 version.   In a younger day, I had a 400 Penton KTM and Husky CR400.  Both were way too pippy on the torque band, and more than I could handle even then as a young beast.  The new 350 would have  plenty of power for what I'm likely to get into.  If I wait too long then likely a 250!  😞

And a big box on the rear.  I see both of these efforts in the future!  

Thanks for sharing.

GJ

[Geronimo John]

Mountainman:  Sorry for the off topic response.

GJ

[Mountainman198]

45 minutes ago, Geronimo John said:

Mountainman:  Sorry for the off topic response.

GJ

No worries. I have a 1979 Husky 390WR that I would put on my tongue, balanced-out by a hitch-mounted Big Green Egg on the back

[jd1923]

4 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

I would likely go for the endure street legal 350 version.   In a younger day...

Mine, I call the "old man's bike!" It's an '03 CRF230, much detuned from the Motorcross CRF250s. The seat is also lower, so you can straddle the bike, both feet on the ground. And of course, it has electric start.

I rebuilt everything on it 5-6 years ago; new tires, brake fluid and fork oil, HD springs for the 200+ LB rider, new seals, cleaned the carb, etc. It rides great and right in Prescott we have a state OHV recreation site called Alto Pit. It was a granite quarry and they have 30-40 groomed and banked trails. Adam and I have been riding there for 20 years. It's a blast! 🤣

I really want to travel with this bike, my 1970 Yamaha R5! Though it needs everything done. I have all the parts it needs including new seat foam and cover, NOS taillights, carb kits, etc. Somehow I just found this picture online and it is the exact bike I own, same seat tears, America Flag Peace sticker on the side cover, bought in Florida 9 years ago for $900. I'd put some enduro tires on it for trail riding. This is a 350cc 2-stroke that can get up to highway speeds in just a couple of heartbeats! Second pic is an example of restored R5!

Edited Thursday at 11:36 PM by jd1923

[topgun2]

4 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

And a big box on the rear.

You mean  - like this?

 

[John Dorrer]

Nothing like "A Post Hijack"🤣

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, John Dorrer said:

Nothing like "A Post Hijack"🤣

After 25 pages of comments, it's been jacked a few times. All anybody needs regarding the Alcan Leaf Spring mod is the read the first couple of pages. 🤣

[John Dorrer]

5 hours ago, jd1923 said:

After 25 pages of comments, it's been jacked a few times. All anybody needs regarding the Alcan Leaf Spring mod is the read the first couple of pages. 🤣

Yep🙃

[Patriot]

7 hours ago, John Dorrer said:

Nothing like "A Post Hijack"🤣

It’s a common theme here John. What rules? Seems like anything goes! 🤣

Edited 15 hours ago by Patriot

[John Dorrer]

14 minutes ago, Patriot said:

It’s a common theme here John. What rules? Seems like anything goes! 🤣

🤣