1st gen Alcan leafs, a review

So my 2002 TRD 4WD leafs were bad when I bought the truck with 74K miles in November 2013, but by now with 126K they were just terrible.

I wanted to increase the load capacity and towing capacity (I have a Miata that may need the occasional dolly tow) of the trucks suspension, but I didn't want a lifted suspension.

After calling the usual suspects (Wheelers, Deaver, etc), I decided to contact Alcan. I filled out their web questionnaire, and got an e-mail response less than 48 hours later.

After reading their email, I called Alcan to confirm a couple of things, regarding the leafs delivery (my mechanic, Jace, was in a VERY tight deadline) and price, and placed an order.

As soon as I got the truck, I replaced the "TRD" Bilsteins for 5100 shocks, as I thought the factory ones were blown. They weren't but whoever choose that crap as a factory shock, had no idea what a good shock is supposed to feel and ride like.


The good: The leaves were delivered almost a week ahead of schedule, and the truck rides NICE. I mean, like brand new nice. Sure I got B.F. Goodrich All terrain K02 on 275/70/16 at the same time, but the way the truck handles pot holes, speed bumps and whatever I drive over, is nothing short of amazing. They are that nice!


The not so good: I wound up with almost 3 inches of lift, in the rear. Now, I'll admit that the suspension has not felt any worse, but now I'll have to raise the front end, to almost match the rear. That's an expense that I wasn't expecting. Not the end of the world, but I have not been able to fully resolve this problem.

More info: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ock-bushings-for-5100-bilsteins-front.432793/


The Bad: During my order phone call, I was told that I'll need U-bolts, and I agreed. I asked how much they were, I was quoted a price and I agreed. A week before the leafs shipped out (Friday), I received an email from Alcan, regarding the U bolts. Since I didn't quite understand what was going on, I called back on Monday. I was told that I needed to tell them the "U-bolt shape". I asked how much time I had, and they said that I had until Friday to tell them. I said fine. On Thursday (four days later), I received a shipping confirmation email. The leaves arrived on Friday, and no U-bolts. Except I wasn't aware that the U-bolts didn't come.

Jace, the mechanic, had some U-bolts laying around that looked as good as new, and I went with those. So far so good.

Would I recommend Alcan? Heck yeah!!! The truck rides unbelievably well. It is so smooth that it just glides! But, when ordering Alcan, make sure that all communication is saved. Looking back, I should've emailed back, instead of calling. Other than that, the product is HIGH quality!