If two jeeps with the same mods except coils vs coil overs, which one would flex more? Or in other terms, if two JKUs both had the tire size, same long arm setup, brake lines, trackbars, both were disconnected, driveshafts, etc and one had 4" coils with correct length shocks and the other had EVO bolt on coilovers, which one would "flex" more? Which would score a higher RTI? Which would be the better rock crawler?

 

I would tend to say coil over would give you both more down travel and more up travel when properly installed in the vehicle over a regular coil and shock. The amount of travel gained, plus the different setups you can run as far as coil sets will make a better ride in high speed or rough terrain.

 

A properly setup lift with 4" coils should be able to handle 12" travel shocks. Properly setup includes that the extended bumpstops are barely enough to prevent the shocks from bottoming out.

A properly setup lift with coilovers that are 12" travel will have just enough extended bumpstoping to prevent the coilover from bottoming out.

If both are properly setup, there will be no difference because the travel will be 12".

If either the coilover setup or the coil spring setup has more extended bumpstopping than is needed, then it wouldn't articulate as much.

 

I will second plan man, coil overs will typically offer more adjustability with running your choice dual or tripple rate coils in a more compact package, less weight, fewer brackets, and easy height adjustment.

 

I am curious if the coil overs apply too much stress to the stock shock mount. Any thoughts on that?

 

I would replace the lower shock mount if going coil overs. The EVO kit comes with new lower mounts as well as the tower. It changes the orentation 90 degress and is a wider mount for more misalignment that is needed from long travel suspensions.

 

I'm not a big fan of coilover because this is a high investment with few performance gain over a good suspension system like MC Game changer.

A good performing coil over supension needs to be designed from a scratch built chassis and it is mostly intended for racing application.

 

You are comparing a shock/coil combo to a lift kit, the two are really not comparable. Any suspension needs to be properly set up to gain the most from articulation performance and ride quality. Coil overs offer much more flexibilty in tuning over a standard shock coil setup and are not just for racing. As for price, a set of coil overs cost about the same a set of 6pack shocks and coils depending on options.

 

Yes, I wanted more to compare MC coils and Game changer shocks with coilover because both system can use different type of control arms.

But still, I don't see a lot of advantages going with coil over on a JK. Is there a real performance gain ?

You get more adjustability but a proper selected coil lift system might do the job just right in every situation.

There is no real bolt-on coil over system and even the EVO kit seems complicated to install.

Also when I'm saying I'm not a big fan, this is a personal choice from what I understand on both system, I might be wrong but if this is the case try to convince me to use coil over instead of MC Game changer.

 

IMO it depends on your build. Coilovers are alot easier to do custom builds. There are no kits for what im doing and what dirtman has already done. Sure you could still do coil/shock with a stretch, but its more work. Coilovers are easily adjustable also. Performance wise, sure you may be able to get them similar, but it may be alot more difficult to dial it in with shocks and coils. As for bolt on, the coilovers mount just like a shock? Sure there larger and you may need to move the lower mounts out, but i believe there are even bolt on kits for that?