Currently have Evo plush ride coils. They were definitely softer than my previous springs, I wouldn't mine a little softer I guess.

What would you choose and why?

 

It depends what you're looking for. I wanted a 3" lift that wouldn't sag over time and would remain true with a loaded jeep. I also wanted a really long free length coil to pair up with long travel shocks. I ended up going with Synergy coils and fox shocks and I love the performance. I can't tell you if the ride is smooth or not b/c that's all based on personal preference but I like it.

Shocks are just as important as coils when looking for good ride quality.

 

What he said. This is the setup I originally wanted but didn't want to worry bout changing driveshafts and such out for a while.

 

Well I've got fox 2.0, which I feel is a "good" shock. Not the best, but it does ride great. What's great about the synergy say over the Evo plush ride?

 

what is a "soft" spring? I honestly never understood that....evo and their plush coils (and everything else evo) always struck me as marketing bs....isn't the "soft" feeling from the shock? I have metalcloak coils with teraflex shocks...definitely firm but I attribute that to the shocks, nothing to do with the coils. Not saying I'm not wrong, but please explain "soft" as it describes the coil and not the shock.

 

I don't want to change the height up at all, and wouldn't want to drop but a half an inch at most from my evos. What would be the better choice? 3.5 or 4.5?

 

Well, The spring keeps the tire planted on the road. Take coil springs out of the equation and the shock just cannot hang. Period. At least on our jeeps. Without the spring the shock can only do so much. You would lose stabilization and control without them.

Soft is just a term, dont let it bother you. You mentioned firm, it's simply a antonym of soft on this forum and a few others. People enjoy following another persons lingo, and most of the time they get the lingo from well known forum moderators or friends.

Matching your shock to your spring rate is the best bet, but most people don't give out their numbers. Then your shock has to be re-valved, and most people don't want to spend another 100-200 dollars to do so.

 

I don't think you'll lose any height with 3" synergy coils. I got 5" in the rear and maybe a bit less than 4" in the front. I run a light rear jk though with no backseat, 31lb stubby and the spare is tied down inside. I am happy with my articulation for now. A few pics for reference

 

I can only comment on TF 2.5's , the last gen RK Coils and now the new triple rates. They are pretty dam soft compared to the last gen. Great riding coil IMO



2007 Rubicon /2 door/6 speed

 

I could be mistaken, but I believe a "softer" spring would be a spring of the same compressed height with more coil windings than a compressed spring of the same height with less windings. The reason being, a coil is basically a lever (pry bar) that is twisted up. A longer lever flexes more than a short lever. So a coil with more windings would compress easier
??? Thinking.

Also a "softer coil" would obviously cost more to make. Better memory in the steel and more of it.