searched, didn't quite find what I was looking for. SO, what are the pro's and cons of using coils & links, vs using leafs for sas? I have a budget to stick to, but I want the most flex/durability out of this build, if that means I have to wait longer thats ok.

If you use the links and coils you can get more flex but it will cost you to do it right, leafs are fine to they are simple cheap and reliable. If it were me and I had the money Id link it but leafs can flex pretty darn good too.

Have alcan leafs up front and 4 link with coils in the rear. Front seems to flex better than rear. Rear cost a lot to build front was very very cheap. If I could afford coilovers I would be set. Someday maybe.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=629&pictureid=5556

Buld it with leafs

then wheel it and you will get a better understanding of what you need

but leafs can flex pretty darn good too.

I second that leafs can get great flex plus are durable.

plus are durable.

Unless you are running Alcan's/Deaver's/some thick/expensive ass leaf pack, you are getting into a sticky situation.

Leafs sag, and wear out much faster than a properly set up linked suspension does.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Plain and simple, a very well set up linked suspension is going to perform better than a leaf suspension. If you are a moron and can't fabricate either, then you will just have sucky suspension, doesn't matter what you choose.

It really depends on the vehicle, you basically gave us zero information as to what your goals were or what vehicle you were starting with.

searched, didn't quite find what I was looking for. SO, what are the pro's and cons of using coils & links, vs using leafs for sas? I have a budget to stick to, but I want the most flex/durability out of this build, if that means I have to wait longer thats ok.

Liar, you didn't search......google articles on link tech and look at what it takes to setup a link suspension properly. Off-Road, Four Wheeler, and Perterson's 4WOR have all done good articles on links and their subsequent geometry. I recommend you read these articles.

This subject has been run over many times before.......

Further, like the above stated....you didn't give any hints as to your fab skills, the vehicle you will do this to, or the terrain/use you're planning. C'mon dude.....

Liar, you didn't search......google articles on link tech and look at what it takes to setup a link suspension properly. Off-Road, Four Wheeler, and Perterson's 4WOR have all done good articles on links and their subsequent geometry. I recommend you read these articles.

This subject has been run over many times before.......

Further, like the above stated....you didn't give any hints as to your fab skills, the vehicle you will do this to, or the terrain/use you're planning. C'mon dude.....

Your taking that out of context, i DIDN"T find what i was lookin for, and what i was looking for was peoples opinions about the two styles of suspension. Your statement was completely useless. i wasn't looking for a "how to" or biased reviews. I wanted input from people with more experience in this field, not some jackass spouting off about articles they have read, now no doubt they are probably good articles, its just not what i was after. comprehend the original post as a whole before you go around calling people liars. :flipoff2:

Unless you are running Alcan's/Deaver's/some thick/expensive ass leaf pack, you are getting into a sticky situation.

Leafs sag, and wear out much faster than a properly set up linked suspension does.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Plain and simple, a very well set up linked suspension is going to perform better than a leaf suspension. If you are a moron and can't fabricate either, then you will just have sucky suspension, doesn't matter what you choose.

It really depends on the vehicle, you basically gave us zero information as to what your goals were or what vehicle you were starting with.

I left out certain details on purpose to get a more general answer, BUT if it makes it easier, Its a 98 ranger 3.0 it will be used as a general trail/street truck. I basically want to make it more capable off road, while still tolerable on road. I got a d60 but will most likely get rid of it in favor of a d44. I'm leaning towards leafs, BUT I haven't completely ruled out something like a radius arm/panhard/air shock setup. I don't want to put leafs in and later on down the line realize they suck (not that they do hence this thread) but i also don't wanna drop the money for a link setup to find there not much better than leafs... See I'm coming from a street truck backround, where its ifs and a four link and coils out back.

searched, didn't quite find what I was looking for. SO, what are the pro's and cons of using coils & links, vs using leafs for sas? I have a budget to stick to, but I want the most flex/durability out of this build, if that means I have to wait longer thats ok.

its all going to depend on what you want the truck to do...as well as how deep your pockets are...stick around a while..you'll always find something you want to do, then another, and another..but its a hell of a hobby:D

leaves suck. not just a little but a whole bunch
go with the radius arm idea at least.
to run leaves and have any travel you are into long spline driveshafts as the axle travels a lot fore and aft, the ride sucks.leaves prettymuch have zero upside

switching to a d44 is perfect for you, get a ford 1/2ton d44 that is already set up for rad arms and be done with it.

its all going to depend on what you want the truck to do...as well as how deep your pockets are...stick around a while..you'll always find something you want to do, then another, and another..but its a hell of a hobby:D


Well, I want it to flex well, I'm probably gonna stick to 35-37 inch tires and the d44. it will see mud, but i'm not building a mud truck, i'd rather rock crawl with it. I plan on sticking around for a long time. off roading is more fun than going fast. (I'm a skydiver i get my fix falling from planes)

leaves suck. not just a little but a whole bunch
go with the radius arm idea at least.
to run leaves and have any travel you are into long spline driveshafts as the axle travels a lot fore and aft, the ride sucks.leaves prettymuch have zero upside

switching to a d44 is perfect for you, get a ford 1/2ton d44 that is already set up for rad arms and be done with it.


Thats the kind of info i was looking for, what years am i looking at here? 77-79? f-250 or 150?

MJs got the right idea 77-79 f150 or same year full size bronco, [assuming your wanting full width axles.] Ive got the bronco 44 in front with a 9" in back with grand cherokee front coils @ all four corners, 4-link Rr, W/ Duffy radius arms in front. its a good daily driver combo that flexes real well! this combo is fairly inexpensive and easy to find parts for, and is easily upgradeable. and the springs are fairly interchangable between xj, zj, tj, etc. which means changable ride hieght and coil rate [to a certain extent]. the aftermarket offers this spring style in many different rates and lengths-cheap. or get em at the wreckin' yard [even cheaper]!

coils are great but a leaf setup is in my opinoin more dependable

leaning toward eb d44 full width. sleeved stock radius arms with ballistic joints. dont know what coils yet. steering will be DOM. what steering box am i gonna need? obviously the ifs shit isn't gonna work, at all. gonna rebuild a d44 this winter and probably install it next summer, cause i live at my summer job so transportation isn't necessary.

thanks for the input.

imho for the coil springs you just plain old coils you can get just as much travel out of a set of chevy 52 inch springs up front and keep the d60 cause if you run 35-37 inch tall tires you are gonna need it cause your truck will eventually evolve into alot more than what you think you want right now if you do decide to link it at the least keep the 60