Linear vs. Progressive Rate

[scottmcwms]

OK I would like to collect opinions of linear vs. progressive rate coils and leafs. It looks like some of the Bronco vendors sell progressive rate and some sell linear.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each. I would think that a progressive rate would be softer/flexier for the first few inches of travel then get stiff like a linear rate after a few more inches of travel, whereas a linear rate would be stiff throughout the entire articulation. Now keep in mind when I say stiff I am speaking relatively. I assume no one will sell a spring as stiff as a superlift spring.

I think I currently have 3 1/2" superlift springs front and rear. I am debating on going to 2" rear and 3 1/2" front as currently the rear is much higher than the front. I don't expect to put much more weight in the back and I don't even have the engine in the front yet. So the rake will only get worse, but I won't make that change until I get everything together.

I am asking mainly for my benefit but every new Bronco owner that is trying to spec out a lift kit would benefit from this conversation. That is why I want this thread to be very general and not just address my particular needs. Please give your opinion and also state what driving conditions/habits you have.

I am looking for something that rides well on the road but doesn't lean like crazy in a corner. Maybe a soft ride coil w/ swaybars is the way to go for me. Quick disconnects will ready me for off-road.

Scott

 

[SaddleUp]

- Linear - Coils are spaced evenly through the range of the spring. This provides a fairly consistent spring rate throughout the full travel of the spring.

- Progressive - Coils are wound tighter at the top of the spring. The result is that on compression the springs progressively get more stiff. On extension the opposite occurs. (The more they are extended the softer they become)


Linear coils can be either stiff, soft, or somewhere in between (Which is where most of what the EB vendors sell are). If they are soft then they will be soft both during compression and extension and therefore have the potential for more articulation. On the other hand a really soft spring doesn't handle well on the street and therefore very few if any of the linear rate coils will be real soft. For progressive rate they are a good compromise because most of the articulation is during droop (extension) anyway. Because of the way they are designed they can have a softer wind toward the top and still ride reasonably well on the street. These also have the potential for a lot of articulation and it will be more likely that you will find progressive rate coils with a softer upper end in the coils than the linear rate coils.

Which is better? I'm not going to try to answer that one. It is too subjective and there will be too many opinions on it. In reality both can perform well as they both have a good following here. Personally I like the Cage springs I have which are a progressive rate. With them even the bottom of the coils is fairly soft so they are softer on the street than many others. The result is that offroad they flex extremely well because of the really soft upper coils.