Coils vs. Leaves?
 

I'm kinda curious as to what the biggest differences between coil springs and leaf springs are in regards to a SAS. Does one ride better? Offer better articulation? Is one cheaper than the other? Is one easier to set up and install? Do steering methods differ from leaf springs to coils?

You gonna try and do this to your truck if you buy it back.

Well the suspension and everything on my truck is the stuff that's still good. I'm more just curious, but we'll see how things pan out.

um coil springs are much more dofficult to dial in. you need some sort of short arm, long arm suspension.

coils will articulate more usually, but leaf springs are MUCH easier to deal with and still get good articulation.

thats my short version...

What do you mean "dial in?" I thought that you dialed in shocks?

well its like a four link, to get the full extent of the atriculation, a lot of mathematics are involved. You cant just throw on your set of arms. they have to be matched to the size of lift and how much articualtion and what not.

let just say there are many more factors to coils. leafs are pretty easy...

Oh ok cool. Is ride quality different? Or is one more expensive?

coils are defineately gonna be more expenisve. you have to have the control arms triangulated, unless you know how to do that yourself.

ride would just depends on shocks and stiffness of the springs on either setup...

ride is usually better with coils.

IF i was to do SAS it would be coils.

A 4 link is going to be better and more expensive than leaf springs.

I am having a 4link put on my '96 ranger. I just bought some 66-77 bronco springs for it.

Are you thinking about buying your totalled vehicle and rebuilding it with an SAS?

Thinking about it. Problem is there's not as much sense in doing it because the suspension and everything is still fine. Right now it's still a possibility though!

What was the damage to your truck?

http://www.cdorton.com/kyle_miesse/kyle_wreck2.jpg

It seems to me there's really only body damage. The engine cranks, but it won't turn over. Could be a fuel problem or any number of little things. Suspension seems to be fine. Just needs a new cab, bed, and fender.

hey as for the engine not turning over did u check ur fuel enertia switch, its on the firewall on the pass side near the pass side kick panel on the inside. with that sort of accident it would have triped that switch causing the fuel pump to not turn on. if it pop just pushed the button down and it should start ...

an sas would kick ass! ... i think coils would be better but expensive ...

I honestly would rather start off with leafs, then make a straight jump to coilovers once the axle is in place and established...

How did you manage to do that to your Ranger?

Harry and Gil pretty much summed it up as far as coils vs leaf springs, but you can still attain some MASSIVE travel with the right leaves.

Seeeeee?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...AS/Toyflex.jpg

Thats probably pushing 30" of travel.

yeah Like I said, i would rather have leaf springs. the trouble for the small extra gain of coils is just not worth it to me. coilovers is a whole different ballgame though...

quater-elipiticals :D

coils will net more flex if set up right. theres a 3 link and 4 link set up. most from end set ups from ford use a 3 link, two radius arms and a panhard bar. the newer heeps use a 4 linkish.

coils, imo, arent that much harder to dial in over leafs but leafs are much easier to start with. no need for extra bars, angles, etc...

Jared I didn't try that, but that's the sort of thing I was looking for. It really did sound like it just wasn't getting any fuel. If that's the case, I'll have a fully functional 4.0! If I was closer than 3 hrs away from my truck, I'd try it right now. Hopefully I'll be able to buy my truck back for a good price, and either start Project Kyle's Kickass Ranger, or get all the goodies off and get me a nice Level II. We're just gonna have to see what Insurance says! It does sound like leaf springs would be the right way to go initially... unless coil-overs would be easier than coils!?

kyle i think you need to look into SAS a little more. lol alot of custome work and alot of money, heck u thought that superlift was expensive that is nothing when u start adding the prices up. i broke 2k and i didnt even have the axles, driveshafts, steering, brake upgrade....

Maybe these will help, maybe not.
http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...howtopic=22861
http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/showthread.php?t=352
http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...howtopic=20802

well if you dont know about coils yet, coilovers should be out of question for now. coilovers are rediculously expensive. start with leaf spings and wrk your way up

i talked to a guy who did this swap using a 66-77 bronco. find one with a dana 44 front

he said everything fit realitivly easy width wise. the front axle, radius arms and panhard bar for the front. then use the steering and convert to a high steer knuckle. he also used the transfer case and rear axle but u dont need to.

i have access to a 71 bronco... just havnt got myself convinced in doing it, im worried about tracking, steering, handleing, braking... i know it wont be as good but i dont want to take my truck away from being a DD and i still want to beable to go down the insterstate safly at 80 mph.

btw has anyone thought about what insurance would say about this?

Yeah I know it's a TON of work. If i decide to do it though, I'll probably get myself a cheap DD and have my truck sort of like Jay's... sitting on jackstands for a long long time... haha j/k. i think it would be a great learning experience, but I still don't even know what my options are. Just tossing around some ideas to see if they stick.