Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Probably opening a can of worms here, but I am looking at buying a Sierra as a bit of a fun/4x4 car for weekends etc and am trying to deciede if i should buy a later model with springs or just save a bit of dough and get a leaf spring version.
From what i can gather coil springs came in about 96 so starts getting the price up a bit past just a fun car however if there are significant advantages i would probably spend the extra.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Cheers
Scar.

Coils generaly flex alot better

Have a search, there is plenty of info on here if you look. Oh, and all cars have springs, its the different types of springs you choose. As in leaf or coil springs. As for the myth that coils felx better, its just that, a myth. Coil sprung sierra's have a dfferent trasfer case (chain drive) that must be replaced with a leaf sprung case (gear drive) to be able to use reduction gears. There are chain driven case low gearing available, but IMHO changing the case gives much better options and better $$.

Leave sprung sierra's have a better range of options, cheaper, and just as capable. More balanced too, without the coiler's crappy differing roll stifness that sees the back end flex heaps with not much in the front.

Layto....

The coilly's will prob flex ever so slightly in stock form than a LEAFY ..........but it will cost near fawk all to have a leafy flexing a hell of alot better than a coily

I have had a coily ......with out major mods there isnt much improvement

leafy has diffs that can accept lockers front and rear with ease compared to the coily which the rear is no prob ....but the front unless you find some1 with the know how is a pain (unless things have changed since I stopped looking) dont get me wrong an ARB can be fitted with some mods ......

Leafy has the gear driven case already that is needed for lower ratio's a must if you plan on running anything of 31" and over , Coily however has a chain driven case and is near enough worthless ...


The only good thing with the coily is the dash setup and gauge cluster and front clip (ie gaurd /grille / bonnet )


GO THE LEAFY and mod away..........

I was going to comment but A1 said it all.
Ive had a coily and 2 leafys. I loved my coily bought it new had it for 10 years but soon after I got it realised that its far cheaper and easier to mod a leafy so the coily became the d/d with a leafy for hard stuff.
Dont get me wrong the coily had 2 1/2" lift with 28" tires it was very relaible but expensive to go much further.
Nik

Great thanks for the feedback.
At this stage I am buying the Sierra as a fun car, get on beach and a bit of 4x4 work but who knows what the future holds. Sounds like there is no need to push to get a coil version so will look at some older models and probably save a bit of cash to.
I 1st started looking at 60/80 series Landcruisers and Patrols but has blown me away how cheap Sierras can be bought for. Why would you go for a a truck.

Thanks
Scar.