What do ya'll think. I have a Big Block 86 Ford Bronco with a Rockwell in the rear with the stock leafs moved under the frame. I am about to buy the front axle and I am already set up for coils on the truck end. I have to fab up a spring pad either way on the axle, so what do ya'll think, a 4 link coil setup or should I just go with some leafs?

Thanks all,
JYS

I personally hate coils, I think they suck!! but thats just me... I would go a thick set of leafs like a National 12 leaf pack.. They ride niiiice :D Seriously. Or if your fealin money's id go with some King coil-overs...

No coil overs for me, cant afford that kind of dough! My choices are limited to a plane jane leaf set-up or a ford type coil with a 4 link.

JYS

I assume youre putting a rockwell in the front too. Considering your choice of axles youre like me and would rather wheel than try to fix broken suspension or axles on the trail. Not that trail fixes dont make things intersting or that leaf spring systems are indestructable but I'd go leaf spring. If done right it flexes just as good and in my opinion will take quite a bit more abuse.

I think the only way to get enough control for those axles and decent flex will be custom springs (read: $$$$$$) So personally I would go with a link setup and coils becuase it will be able to locate the axles properly

Yea Rockiller, It's getting a Rockwell in the front also. I have broken sh*t in the middle of nowhere and never want to have that felling again. My brother had a 83 Jeep Wagoneer I used to borrow and I don't drive that aggressivly but I broke the front of that twice (once I ripped off the rear bracket for the front leaf and the next time I took it out I busted the Dana 44 Knuckle) Forget about this limp home stuff.

JYS

Why not coils all the way around? Seriously anyone that thinks 1/2 elliptic springs can flex like coils just doesn't know what they are talking about or hasn't seen a good coil. Build your links out of some good stuff, get a proper spring rate coil and there you have it. Jump it, crawl it, mud it, whatever, but the ride quality will be nicer with coils and you can move the front end way forward for a 90 degree approach angle!

I know a couple of people that are running the rockwells under their broncos or jeeps and are having great luck using the wild horse 3 1/2 or 5 1/2 springs. Most people I have visited with running leafs have found they dont last long with the weight of the axles and the coils are a lot cheaper to buy

Originally posted by coiled
Why not coils all the way around? Seriously anyone that thinks 1/2 elliptic springs can flex like coils just doesn't know what they are talking about or hasn't seen a good coil. Build your links out of some good stuff, get a proper spring rate coil and there you have it. Jump it, crawl it, mud it, whatever, but the ride quality will be nicer with coils and you can move the front end way forward for a 90 degree approach angle!

Exactly!

I personally would go with a custom coil setup using f-150 lift coils and toyota fj-80 control arms.

the fj80 uses only 2 front control arms with 4 points at the axle. it is a longarm setup shaped like a hockey stick. yuo can run them regular and make an easy mount for them on the flat top of the rockwell tube or flip them upside down for ULTIMATE clearance.

I am going to use this setup on a YJ frame this summer when I start building my rig.

you can also weld mounts onto the fj80 arme for use as shock mounts (look at the cover Jeep of last months JP)

quick, easy, and extremely effective.

Just make sure you don't use that 2-link's C-bushing design...its easy but don't flex for crap.

Hey Daniel, How much clearance is there between the top of the axle and the truck? Looks like Dodge springs with lowered hagers? What shocks did you use?

I also notice 5 links for the rear axles (4 link plus panhard bar), What is it in the front, and what did you do for steering?

Thanks, killer pics,

JYS

I know they aren;t rockwells but randy from driven auto parts in AZ has done a great job with his bronco he is running coils all around heres a link to pics of his bronco


http://www.alloffroad.com/issue/2000/august/contents/randy_harrall-eb.htm

i put a set of rockwells in my m715. i used 52" chevy rear leaf spings in front and rear. keep in mind that the springs will not see anymore weight with the rockwells if you mount them spring over. obviously in this case the weight of the axles are unsprung. ofcourse if i could afford some king coilovers i would have done that, but for the money i chose a simple leaf spring set up.