Opinions on front coil types

[Horsin' Around]

Hi guys. After spending the weekend traveling woods roads with the wife (and her bad neck) I think it's time to replace the 20 year old Duff springs with some softer ones. After visiting all the web sites and searching this forum for info, I'm still uncertain which to buy? I don't rock crawl but certainly more articulation would be nice and I do a lot of trail riding where small bumps drive you nuts after a while! I also run through deep swampy mud holes and run it in the local mud run once a year. I'm talking 3 1/2" lift with 33" tires. What I really want is opinions here on Linear rate versus progressive/variable. Oh and I also have Dual Rugged Trail shocks to help stiffin things up! I've been thinking of taking two off, but I don't want to get so soft that I have a wheel hop problem. All opinions welcome. I don't even care if brand names are mentioned, just experiences you have had. I built this 66 20 years ago so it's pretty well "old School" Thanks, Aaron

 

[S_bolt19]

Well Aaron, I would first and foremost get rid of the dual shocks. That alone will make your ride a lot harsher. 2 shocks have double the dampening power of one, so when the wheel is being forced up or down, it has to work 2x as hard to move. I would recommend changing to a higher end (Rancho 9000 or even a Bilstien) shock. These are a much more quality shock than anything you pick up at the local auto parts store. As far as coils go, I would have to say Cage coils are reputed to be the best on the market for flex, ride, etc. I just ordered a set of Cages, so I honestly can't say how well they ride, but know quite a few guys who do have them and absolutely love them. THe Duff coils are the "old version" of the Cages. Cage designed the suspension kits for Duff, but split from him and now makes his own product, so you could say that the Duffs are version 1.1 of the Cage coils. I have also heard good things about BC & Wild Horses, there again, I haven't used either, but know people who have and both are good reputable companies. The Cage coils are also cheaper than any of the others. I paid $160 that includes shipping to my door. BC is $160 + S/H, Duff is $162-172 + S/H & WH is having a sale on their coils so they are dirt cheap right now at $109-160 depending on what height & color you want. I will have to say that WH has very good leaf springs, I have a set of the 4.5" for the rear and they are very nice and I do recommend them to folks.

 

[Broncoholics]

I ran Duff's 3.5" coils with their 70/30 auto adjust shocks (one per corner) and it worked great. I then moved to BC 4.5" (seemed stiffer but rode nice) coils due to tire rub at full turn. I now run Cage 5.5" with their long travel arms. You don't need the long arms but their coils work great but are rather soft. I'm sure you will be happy with the Duff's but they are moving to Texas and doubt you will get your suff very quickly. My buddy ran Wildhorses and they handled about the same as the Duff's. Not sure if this helps but most coils these days are a huge improvement to what you have now.

 

[walkercreekbronco]

I just got my Bronco on the road again. I put on the 3 1/2 Wild Horses dual shock lift. I was suprised at how nice it rode.