just wondering why it is that most of the guys hear installed leaf front axle swaps instead of coil, and why change the rear to coil. to me it makes more sence to put a coil front end in, because if done right is a much beter ride than leaf

 

Theres only a few coil lifts on market right now. Offroad solutions is one All Pro is another. If you know what you are doing and are a compitable fabricator its a bit easier to make your own coil setup. Alot of people buy lifts as a package and since there are only a few coil lifts at the moment you'll see more leafs out there. Also cost is more. It is also alot easier to set up 3 and 4 links in the rear were as the front is more difficult. What about Air shocks? They can be cheaper than coils. Ride quality is what you make it to be. Do you want road luxuries or offroadablility?

 

Cost.

Coilover set ups are pricey, and unless you are a master fabricator, building a coilover set up on your own is very difficult. Its not something you can get "almost right". It has to be "completely right".

Leaves are stupid easy to do, ride decent, and work very well offroad. Coils are great, but not worth most people's trouble. If you feel you've got the fab skills, then by all means, give it a go.

 

x2...

 

x3. Most leaf swaps can be done in a short amount of time. We did mine + rear leaf conversion in one weekend.

While it would be nice to have a linked front and/or rear suspension, I didn't (and still don't)have the extra $$ it would take to do it.

 

As others have said, it comes down to money, and who is doing it.

If money is no problem, send it off to somebody who can do it for you, but you loose valuable information on how to repair your rig in case of a failure.

If money is an issue, you must rely on your own skills. "Leaves are stupid easy", is indeed correct. Just about anybody can install leaves on their rig and go play.

Setting up Coils in the front is pretty indepth. You need to know what you are doing and not only have confidence in your design, but take into consideration the safety of other people on the road.

Coils in the rear.....now you just getting into buggy mode. Rear leaves are proven, strong and reliable. They can carry a load, and still flex well on the trail. This is why I went with leaves in the rear. To put coils in the rear of a full bodied rig, one would be seriously narrowing the capabilities of their rig, IMHO of course.

Indeed Coils will provide a better ride, and they give awesome flex over leaves, but again, be confident in what you are doing, for your safety and the safety of others.

These considerations are why, I think, people put leaves on instead of coils.....IMHO.