Rusty Bowtie
General Category => General Discussion - Intros => Topic started by: EDNY on February 18, 2023, 09:59:09 AM
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Coil springs are an obvious choice for many situations, but leaf springs still have an edge.
https://www.thedrive.com/guides-and-gear/leaf-springs-vs-coil-springs-which-is-better
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Good article, Ed, thanks. Regardless of practicality or performance, I do think that 4 link suspension looks pretty mean under a hotrod.
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Good article, Ed, thanks. Regardless of practicality or performance, I do think that 4 link suspension looks pretty mean under a hotrod.
I agree...and with the four link adjusting driveline angle is almost unlimited. Also learned that on my son's 37 Chevy that disc brake components hit the leaf springs...had to install a drum brake axle for clearance. On my 33 Chevy I have a four link and could install wheels 2 foot wide if I wanted ;D
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My plan for my '26 is sorta stock leafs up front and modified four link with quarter elliptics in the back. The leafs will be the bottom link.
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They each had their place. No doubt coils ride smoother, but may lack in handling when on all 4 corners, (pending rear location and overall weight. Leaf springs are simple, a bit harsher ride but durable. I really like coils up front and leaf rear. The best handling car i ever had was my '70 Firebird Formula 400. You could drive hard and deep into a corner and come out fast. It out handled my '69 Vette, and it had the F-41 suspension.
On farm/ranch 4x4 durability, leaf and solid axel. When Ford made the move on 1/2 tons in 1980, most farmers had to get 3/4 ton to get leaf/solid. After a couple years that coil front would "Bambi" out, and wear all kinds of stuff out. I had a '78 Bronco, (straight axle) and my buddy bought a new '80 Bronco. His road smoother but sashayed down the hiway like an old '60s station wagon. Really goofy with a trailer, my '78 was very stable with a trailer.