I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts on the merits of the leaf sprung versus the coil suspensions. I know the YJ and CJ are leaf sprung and the TJ runs on coils but is there really more flex when coils are used? What other benefits or drawbacks are there between the suspensions?

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2005 Wrangler Rubicon
4.6L Stroker Engine, Flex-A-Lite radiator & electric fan, 4.5" BDS Short Arm lift, 33x12.5/16 Mickey Thompsons, Bestop TrailMax Pro 2 interior, Bestop NX soft top, Bushwacker 6" flares, and much more

**Prior Jeeps**
Wranglers 1989, 1998, 2005
Liberty 2003 & 2004 Renegade

The ride is much smoother in my TJ than in our old YJ - so I'd say coils for the ride.

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'99 TJ Sport
'05 KJ Renegade (sold)
'95 YJ (sold)

http://www.active.com/donate/teamglasam ... 8/RWaddell

coils, to much stuff hanging down to get hung up on with leaf springs

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Richey

0IIIIII0
2006 IMPACT ORANGE RUBICON
305 Mt/Rs MT Classic II's
2.5 lift
1.25 JKS BL
JKS quicker Discos

Coils. Ride quality and more up/down articulation. Just look at the mechanics of the two choices and that'll be apparent.

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Matt Townsend
Sebastopol CA

02 Red Libby w/Frankenlift, Full armor incl AllJ stuff, 245 MTRs on Cragars, ARB locker, custom rack, K&N FIPK, 8000lb winch, RE rear LCAs, Optima Yellow Top, RL Rear Bumper, Custom Front Bumper
98 TJ w/5.5" RE Long arm lift, ARB front/rear, 35x12.5, Borla, Warn winch, Teralow, etc., etc..

They both have there ups and downs.

Leaf springs are simple.
+ Leaf spring lifts are normally very cheap.
+ No control arms!
- less flex (although if you convert it to leaf over axle you get far better flex.)

Coils
+ Much better flex
- control arms and more expensive to lift.
+ easier to change coils then it is to replace leaf springs.

There are plenty more these are just a few some one feel free to add to this.

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-John L.O.S.T. #229262
SOLD 2005 Liberty
SOLD 2006 TJ Rubicon
1977 Ford Bronco
5.5inch Superlift
35x12.50's

Leaf springs are also better for towing. But in jeeps it doesnt matter.

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2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade
2002 TJ Sport Solar Yellow
2000 TJ Sport Patriot Blue - gone
1979 CJ5

both have their advantages and disadvantages. most people like coils, becasue they flex real good. but so do leaves. you just have to know how to set up the suspension correctly. I prefer leaves beacuse of the simplicity to them. I've seen some YJ's that flex pretty darn good.

It also depends on your type of wheeling. if all you're doing is mudding, the leaves will do you fine. but if all you're doing is rock crawling and you need one tire 5 feet off the ground while the others are still on the ground, then coils will probobly be best. yet again leaf springs can flex pretty darn good too.

this debate has been kicked so many times like the dead horse that it is. Both suspensions can be made to work with your application, just depends which you prefer.

Here are some pics of some flexin.(I don't even know who these people are)





leafs front, coils rear. nice set up IMO





and one of my 89 YJ just for fun


hope that helps some.

-Kyle

A really nice and simple setup is Leaf Front and Coil Rear. If setup correctly you get a very stable vehicle, and simple front end configuration.

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Founder of L.O.S.T.
2006 CRD Sport
Mods: GDE Hot Tune w/ 364#@2000rpm/Air Box /3" Str8 Exhaust/ASFIR Alum Skids/245-75R-16 Cooper STT PRO/OME LIFT w/Clevis & 4 Spring Isos/AirTabs/Rigid 10" S2 LED/4xGuard Ctr Matrix Bumper
Drag Strip:Reac=.1078_60ft=2.224_1/8=10.39@64.8mph_1/4+16.46@80.8mph

Yj leaf will pound your chit going over bumps, tj oo so smooth in stock form with 205 tires its a caddie.

it depends both can be setup to articulate very well, the coils have a higher cost than the leaves but you gain all the clearance in front of the axle where the leaves would be but with leaves you can go a spring over axle fairly cheap where some lift kits run upwards of $2000 for some of the taller lifts , and I dont think I have ever heard of someone breaking a coil like I have heard about leaf spring packs, I actually know people who carry a complete spare leaf spring in there vehicle. I think it all boils down to money.

i think it has to do with what type of rig you are building. if you are a weekend warrior, leaf springs are usually the way to go due to the fact that they are simple, inexpensive and effective. however, coils do give you a better ride on the street and if you have the coin, they are a good way to go. it all comes down to how simple or how hi-tech you want to be with your rig. both can be made to work very well.

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