That's where I'd say there are still some huge differences. And so I'll say "it depends on the springs", which I'm sure you didn't want to hear.
You may have to trust the vendors, but, as good as they are, I've run afoul of that before myself.
Some of the "stock" type 4, 5, or 6-leaf packs still ride like buckboards. I bought a set of basic lift springs from one of the vendors many years ago, which they actually thought rode better than stock. Yeah, right. And wheels are made of rock and I'm Fred Flintsonte!
The 10 leaf packs may ride better than stock, according to some, but I'd say the ride description is more like "stiffer, but less harsh" when comparing original to the big packs from WH or BC. Haven't experienced Deavers, or any others that might be out there yet though.
Going out of the fold here, Skyjacker has a supposedly soft rear spring (though you can't just go by the term "Soft Ride" with them either, just because they call their springs that) that is a traditional design with 4 somewhat thin main leaves and a thicker, semi-overload, bottom leaf. I've got them on mine, but have not driven on them yet. They look to be a softer setup than traditional 5-packs, but I can't tell you until I get mine back on the road.
As for the front coils, I've been very happy for years with my WH 3.5" variable rate coils. They're a tad softer than stock initially and I would expect the shorter height versions to be at least similar, if not better. They're the second-best ride on the street of all the coils I've used, Best was a 1.5" lift coil from Moog, of the same design. Never had a 2.5" myself.
Also never had any complaints about road-manners. No apreciable lean and handles very well.
Don't know if that opinion will change when I finally use the Skyjacker rears, but I reserve the right to change my mind at any time.
Variable rate is no guarantee of course, but typically they're designed so that you can get a very soft ride initially through a short bit of travel, then it stiffens up even more than stock after it's compressed farther. Nothing says a single rate coile can't be spec'd out to ride the same, but it seems to me they'd have to be made as sort of a compromise for the street. I've never used a single-rate coil from one of the Bronco vendors though, so that's just an guess and I can't speak for them.
The traditional suspension companies (Rancho, Trailmaster, Superlift, Burbank) had no clue. They still thought stiffer was better, so I'd venture a guess that any of the current Bronco vendors coils ride a world better.
Hope that gives you some more opinions from which to develop your gambling strategy.
I've found that the reason you may be reading so many differing opinions regarding springs is that different people have different ideas of what's comfortable, what's acceptable, and what's normal. Age, years with Broncos, how many other types of vehicles they've owned, and many other things play a big role in how they feel now and how they remember the past experiences with Broncos.
In other words, like new seats, it's totally objective.
That and the fact that you can't very well expect someone's experiences with 5.5" suspension, 3" body-lift, worn out 42" Super Swamper bias ply tires, and 3 $20 shocks per wheel to equate to someone's with a stock, original setup running 31" radial tires on 7" wide wheels.
It just doesn't work unless we've been down the same road as you.
Paul
