Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs?

[ozman3803]

I was just curious if anybody has converted to rear leaf springs. I've heard the leafsprings ride much better, better handling and less wheel hop. Is this the case with coil over with trailing arms. I don't know since I never have been able to drive my 70 swb yet. Any reason to keep what I have or is it worth vconverting to leafs?

[LONGHAIR]

Seems like you are working the wrong direction.....especially since you haven't driven it, to be sure that you even have a problem?
"Generally" the trailing arm suspension is less likely to have wheel hop problems than the leaf springs, so I wouldn't change for that reason. I wouldn't say that the coils are and stiffer as far as the ride either? so I wouldn't even consider changing....JMO though

[ozman3803]

Yeah I was just going off somebody elses opinion to. Thanks for the input though. I was just wondering because I have a 77 pickup for parts and I want the five lug conversion. Just thought it might be easier to swap out rearend and I would also be able to get a free at least 3in drop flipping the leafsprings. Any other ideas out there?

[N2TRUX]

The only negative I can see about trailing arms is they limit how low you can go. Beyond that they are much easier to lower.

They can't be too bad if it works on the Grand National cars.

[bmfpeterson]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

The only negative I can see about trailing arms is they limit how low you can go. Beyond that they are much easier to lower.

They can't be too bad if it works on the Grand National cars.

Not trying to hijack your thread but dose anyone notch out the frame where the trailing arms would hit?? or you might as well back half it?

[Primer70]

You can buy lowering blocks for the trailing arm suspensions. This means you can go as low as 7" of drop in the rear with 5" coils with 2" blocks. You'll definitely need a frame notch / bridge kit, shock relocators & cut into the bed though.

[protrash64]

I have one of each...leaf and coil. I think they both ride better then any lowered newer truck Ive driven. I think you can do a flip on leafs cheaper than coils, but neither is very difficult depending on your skills or friends. I would buy the angled axle perches for the rear end swap to 5-lug and keep the coils. Your out the price of the perches and some brake work...DONE!!

[dbmx66]

i would keep the coils

[LostMy65]

I know this an old thread, but....
Could we get some more opinions on Rear Coils vs Leaf Springs?

Thanks

[raycow]

The only good reason I can think of for running leaf springs is that they give you room for 1 or 2 fuel tanks forward of the rear axle. That means you can get the tank out of the cab and keep your spare in the original location. I'm talking about a driver here with a stock suspension, not some kind of 4 link you might see under a show truck.

Ray

[chevy_mike]

If you really want to know how well trailing arms work for handling, check any NASCAR car or truck out as they are still using them. Coils will almost always ride better than leafs, just the nature of the design. Downside is coils won't haul as heavy of a load as leafs.

My '65 was a trailing arm setup that a PO swap in a leaf spring setup. I am gathering the parts to swap it back as the TA setup rides and handles so much nicer!

[LEEVON]

All other things equal, coil springs ride quite a bit better. I can't think of any reason to convert to leaf springs unless you're hauling big loads.

[stich626]

only reason new trucks use leaf set up is it's cheap.
it locates the rearend and is the spring, (less parts)
coils better ride but requires more parts ,
wheel hop can happen with either..

[68GMCCustom]

I had a '68 leaf spring truck and a '72 coil truck...parted the coil truck except for its rear coil suspension and '72 front end w/discs... and put it all under the '68.

[m6z]

Coils all the way. Why do you think the 2009 and newer dodge half tons use coils. The ride is much smoother with coils.

[Ackattack]

I just converted my project "No buck" to coils

Let me tell you, a 3/4ton leaf spring SWB truck is ROUGH!