Leaf or Coil SAS

[JuJu1289]

The long debate of leaf vs coil sas has come into my hands now. I have a 87 2WD that im going to be sas'in in about 3 weeks. This truck is mostly a farm truck but is also my dd and some mild off road. I can weld and fabricate so either should be very possible. I am shooting for simple and cheap(not cheap as in garbage but cheap as in im on a budget). Let me know what you think.

 

[88_Eddie]

leafs will be easiest and simplest, you just need 4 points on the frame to bolt each end of both springs. just depends on how much lift you want. you could probably find some used ones or some at a junkyard for cheap.....new ones are usually expensive. plus with leafs, you wont have to buy/install/fabricate mounts for radius arms or coil mounts.

there are debates about which flexes better and i think it's about the same

 

[JuJu1289]

As far as lift goes Im at 33" tires right now, I want to fit around 36 or 37

 

[4x4junkie]

Actually it depends on the axle you get, but more often than not, keeping it coiled is much easier. If you use a radius-armed Ford axle, about the only real fabricating you'll need to do is for a trackbar mount. Leafs have the added implication of getting in the way of your steering too.

 

[JuJu1289]

Ive heard about you 4x4 in the chat, i just thougt you were a urban myth. Are the coil seats on dana's universal? I was thinking of just using 8" skyjacker coils. http://cpwstore.carpartswholesale.com/catalog/?N=0&Nr=AND(make:Ford,model:Ranger,year:1997,brand:Skyjacker,sku:S97138,part:Coil Springs)&ci=A1165930884W457eb1843f043&cpwid=cpw7105601654b806021b176c

 

[4x4junkie]

Urban myth?? Sheez, I've only been on this site (among others) pretty constant for some 9 years now

Stay away from TTB coils though, far away (there's a reason TTBs don't flex, and it's not because it's TTB).

Look for some 3.5" - 5.5" early Bronco coils. These should give you about 2.5-3" lift above what's stated for the early Bronco app. on your Ranger. You'll need to modify or replace the coil buckets on your frame to fit them correctly.

 

[JuJu1289]

Well im convinced to do coil spring, you think those 5.5" coils will be enough to fit 36's? I do have a 3" body on btw

 

[Chance]

Good man. I hate leaves. If I could do it again (well, wouldn't lose a lot of money buying more stuff and further delaying my project), I woulda invested in coil spring parts...

I would say that the 5.5 coils and 3 in bl would be more than enough to clear it...

Of course I'm one of those guys that absolutely hates lift.

 

[NMB2]

it really depends on what axle you get. If you get an EB axle that comes with wedges and arms then there is really no point in making it leaf sprung. If you get a fullwidth or waggy axle wih spring pads you might as well use the leaf pads.

I have done both swaps, on my own vehicles and others. I think if done RIGHT, both cost about the same and are equally difficult. The coil is much harder to get the steering/trac bar right, but the leafs are more involved with fabrication to get the mounts right.

As for which one is better. I honestly dont think the ford radius arms suspension is any better than a well setup leaf suspension, however coils/coilovers with 4link is much better than both, but MUCH more involved and much more costly.

 

[JuJu1289]

Yea, ive started adding up cost for the coil over and its well over leafs. As far as axles go are all the d44's drum?

 

[Chance]

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Dana44.htm

Might wanna peruse through that in your free time... it'll help ya figure out what axle you want a lil bit.

But no, not all front d44s are drum.

 

[NMB2]

it looks like you are wanting to stay in te 33-35" tire range from your picture in your sig, and a little wider than stock. I would find a jeep wagonner and take its front and rear D44' and swap those in. Sell your current axles to rebound the cost.

 

[JuJu1289]

a couple of weeks ago I found this super nice jeep in this barn. It has coil over springs, road armor bumper with a 9500 winch, abunch of skyjacker stuff. It belongs to a old couple and her husband is out on a business trip. Im not sure what kind of axle is on it but im hoping i can salvage most the stuff off that thing.

 

[ozziemo27]

a couple of weeks ago I found this super nice jeep in this barn. It has coil over springs, road armor bumper with a 9500 winch, abunch of skyjacker stuff. It belongs to a old couple and her husband is out on a business trip. Im not sure what kind of axle is on it but im hoping i can salvage most the stuff off that thing.

lolwhat, so the wife is selling the stuff off the husband's jeep?

 

[JuJu1289]

I hope not. Its just been sitting there and they were wanting to sell it. But her husband isnt there to give me prices on the parts