WHY 4WD OWNERS ARE CONVERTING FROM LEAF SPRINGS TO COILS

When you buy a dual cab ute or a 70 Series LandCruiser from the factory, it is designed to do a job. Whether that is hauling tools, carrying constant loads, towing equipment or spending its life on a worksite, manufacturers need a suspension system that is simple, durable and capable of carrying weight day in and day out, while remaining within a strict budget. That is exactly why leaf springs exist.

Leaf springs have been around for generations because they are tough, cost effective and reliable in commercial applications. They are excellent at handling repeatable loads and abuse, especially when a vehicle spends most of its life carrying weight in the tray or towing. For common work vehicles, they make perfect sense.

The reality is, most modified 4WDs are no longer being used purely as commercial vehicles.

Once you start building your vehicle for touring, offroad performance, remote travel or recreational four wheel driving, the limitations of a leaf spring rear suspension setup become far more noticeable. Ride quality, suspension articulation, traction and overall vehicle control all become more important, especially when you are spending long days behind the wheel or tackling difficult tracks.

That is where a coil conversion completely changes the way your vehicle performs.

At Superior Engineering, we have spent years developing coil conversion kits designed to transform the capability of some of Australia’s most popular 4WD platforms. Whether you drive a Toyota 70 Series LandCruiser, Toyota Hilux Vigo, Toyota Hilux Revo, Ford Ranger PX or Mazda BT-50, a coil conversion can significantly improve the way your vehicle drives both on and offroad.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEAF SPRINGS AND COILS

A leaf spring setup combines the suspension spring and axle location into one component. While this works well for load carrying, it also introduces compromises in suspension movement and ride comfort.

Because the leaf pack controls so many aspects of the suspension system, it naturally creates friction within the spring pack as it compresses and extends. This friction can make the ride feel harsh and less responsive, especially over corrugations, potholes and uneven terrain.

A coil conversion separates these functions.

With a coil conversion, the coil spring handles the suspension load while control arms are in charge of axle movement and geometry. This allows the suspension to move far more freely and predictably. The result is improved ride comfort, increased articulation and better traction across rough terrain.

For you as the driver, that means your vehicle feels more controlled, more compliant and significantly more capable when the terrain gets challenging.

WHY MORE TOURING AND OFFROAD BUILDS ARE CONVERTING TO COILS

One of the biggest advantages of a coil conversion is the improvement in ride quality.

If you have spent hours driving corrugated roads in a leaf sprung ute, you already know how tiring they can become. The harshness transfers through the chassis, into the cabin and ultimately into you. A coil conversion helps absorb those impacts far more effectively, making long distance touring noticeably more comfortable.

The benefits extend well beyond comfort too.

When you are offroad, suspension articulation becomes critical for maintaining traction. A coil conversion allows the axle to move freely through its travel, helping keep your tyres planted on the ground rather than lifting wheels in uneven terrain.

More tyre contact means better traction.
Better traction means more control.
More control means a more capable vehicle.

Whether you are climbing rocky tracks, navigating ruts, or simply trying to improve overall drivability, a coil conversion gives your suspension far greater ability to work with the terrain instead of fighting against it.

COIL CONVERSIONS AND VEHICLE STABILITY

A coil conversion is not just about flex shots or suspension travel numbers.

Suspension geometry plays a massive role in how your vehicle behaves both onroad and offroad. The design of the control arms, panhard location, shock positioning and spring rates all contribute to how stable and predictable the vehicle feels.

Our coil conversion kits are developed to improve overall suspension performance while maintaining real world usability. This is especially important for touring vehicles that still carry accessories, towing loads and camping gear.

The goal is not simply maximum articulation. The goal is balanced performance that works across everything from highway touring to technical offroad driving.

TOYOTA 70 SERIES COIL CONVERSION OPTIONS

The Toyota 70 Series LandCruiser has become one of the most modified touring platforms in Australia. While the factory leaf rear suspension is extremely durable, many owners reach a point where they want more comfort, more suspension performance and better control from their vehicle.

A rear coil conversion completely changes how a 70 Series behaves.

The suspension becomes more compliant over rough terrain, axle control improves and the vehicle feels significantly more refined during long distance travel. For heavily modified touring vehicles, the difference can be dramatic.

For customers building serious touring or offroad vehicles, we also offer the option of pairing the coil conversion with a Superior Engineering Diamond Diff housing.

Our Diamond Diff for the 70 Series platform is designed for customers who demand increased strength and load capability from their vehicle. With an increased rear axle load rating of 3150kg, it provides a substantial upgrade for heavily equipped touring vehicles, towing applications and extreme offroad builds.

Combined with a coil conversion, the result is a suspension package designed to handle serious use while delivering improved ride quality, axle strength and overall capability.

HILUX, RANGER AND BT-50 COIL CONVERSIONS

The benefits of a coil conversion are not limited to LandCruisers.

Modern utes like the Toyota Hilux Vigo, Toyota Hilux Revo, Ford Ranger PX and Mazda BT-50 are commonly used as dual purpose vehicles. During the week they might handle work duties, while on weekends they become touring rigs, tow vehicles or dedicated offroaders.

As these vehicles become heavily accessorised with canopies, drawers, long range tanks, bar work and camping equipment, suspension performance becomes increasingly important.

A coil conversion helps improve ride comfort under varying loads while also delivering increased rear suspension performance and better traction offroad.

For many owners, it is one of the most noticeable upgrades they can make to the overall feel and capability of their vehicle.

WELL, IS A COIL CONVERSION RIGHT FOR YOU?

If your vehicle spends it's entire life carrying maximum constant loads on a worksite, a traditional leaf spring setup may still suit your needs perfectly. Leaf springs continue to be one of the most durable commercial suspension systems ever designed.

However, if your vehicle has evolved into a touring weapon, weekend wheeler or highly modified offroad rockhopper, there is a good chance you are already starting to feel the limitations of leaf springs.

That is usually the point where customers begin looking for:

• Better suspension articulation
• Improved ride comfort
• More predictable vehicle handling
• Improved touring capability
• Better suspension control under varying terrain
• A more refined driving experience overall

That is exactly what Superior Engineering coil conversions are designed to deliver.

At Superior Engineering, our coil conversion systems are designed with real Australian conditions in mind. From corrugated outback roads to technical offroad tracks, every component is developed to handle harsh environments and genuine four wheel drive use.

We understand that your vehicle is not just a weekend toy. For many owners, it is a long term touring platform built to take on remote travel, towing and demanding offroad conditions reliably. That is why suspension design, geometry, strength and durability matter just as much as ride quality and articulation.

SEE THE TRANSFORMATION IN ACTION

To see exactly what goes into a full coil conversion build, watch this detailed YouTube build video.

The build covers the transformation process, component selection and the real world advantages a coil conversion delivers once the vehicle hits the tracks.

If you have ever wondered whether a coil conversion is worth it for your own build, this is the perfect opportunity to see the development, fabrication and end result up close.