2" Springs: Pro Comp or BDS?

[mas08]

Seems like both of these are pretty well reviewed. Any glaring differences that may set em apart?
(Aside from price. I can get the Pro Comps locally from 4wp and save about 40-50 bucks).

Resistant to sagging? Will one give a little more lift than the other? The 2" BDS springs measure 18.5" in the front, while the Pro Comp measure 17.8. Not sure if that makes any difference.

I currently have 1.75" spacers, a 1.25" BL, and 33" tires (no winch. No heavy bumper. No rear bench. Hard top).

 

[jjvw]

Based on the rates and lengths, BDS will result in slightly more lift than PC.

 

[JMT]

BDS based on longer spring and likely lower spring rate.

 

[Goatman]

Lower spring rate can give a softer ride. Have you looked into OME springs? They are the go-to 2" spring.

 

[mas08]

Thank for the suggestion. I looked at the OME springs, but they seem to be going for about $180/pair. Little over budget.

After a little more research, the spring rates are as follows:
BDS 2" front rate: 158 lbs/in
BDS 2" rear rate: 200

PC 2" front rate: 170
PC 2" rear rate: 175

So I take it that (for daily driving) a lower spring rate is better? Surprised by the wide discrepancy in BDS front and rear.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I'm definitely not a fan of ProComp's suspensions but there's not a thing wrong with their springs.

 

[jjvw]

Lower spring rate can give a softer ride. Have you looked into OME springs? They are the go-to 2" spring.

The rates aren't different enough to matter in that regard.

 

[jjvw]

So I take it that (for daily driving) a lower spring rate is better? Surprised by the wide discrepancy in BDS front and rear.

It doesn't matter. Shocks are what determine the ride.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

It doesn't matter. Shocks are what determine the ride.

Exactly.

 

[jazngab]

I went with BDS. Just based on reviews of those who had them. Also they have a lifetime guarantee if they ever sag. I’ve had no issues with my 2” BDS. I did have to put a 0.75” spacer to account for my winch though.

 

[dla]

I went with BDS as well. Although to level it out I used their 3" fronts and 2" rears. Ended up with 3" of actual lift in the front and 2.5" in the rear. Has been eight years and have seen no sagging.

 

[mas08]

I went with BDS as well. Although to level it out I used their 3" fronts and 2" rears. Ended up with 3" of actual lift in the front and 2.5" in the rear. Has been eight years and have seen no sagging.

Yea I've been reading a lot that BDS springs give people 2.5" in the back. So I definitely have to run either 3" in the front, or 2" + .75" spacers to make up for the rake.

 

[mas08]

Thanks all for the help. Going to go with the BDS springs. Seems like the extra 50 bucks is worth it.

I'm going to keep my zone hydro shocks for now (came with the 1.75" spacers). They are only about 3 years old and seem fine. Down the road I'll upgrade to the Rancho shocks that everyone here talks about.

Once again, appreciate it.

 

[Goatman]

Exactly.

Well, that is not really true at all. If it were, why have a spring in the first place?
A shock is to control the movement of the spring. I repeat, a shock is there to control the movement of the spring.
Increase the spring rate and there will be less movement of the spring. If the spring dosen't move then the shock does nothing.
This is why folks with leaf springs add or remove leaves to adjust for their ride quality. You can't do that with a coil spring so you had better have an understanding of how they will affect ride.
That is why a 1 ton truck rids poorly when empty. The spring rate is too high for its load. Add weight in the bed and the truck rides better (softer) because it is closer to matching the spring rate. Overload the truck and now the truck is too loose. It is past the spring rating. This whole time nothing has been done to the shocks. The change in ride characteristics is entirely due to matching the load to the spring rate.

 

[jjvw]

How do guys add or remove leafs without also adjusting the ride height? How does the change in rate compare to the commonly available range of rates for a TJ? How much additional cargo weight are we able to carry compared to a 1 ton truck?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Well, that is not really true at all. If it were, why have a spring in the first place?
A shock is to control the movement of the spring. I repeat, a shock is there to control the movement of the spring.

The spring is there to support the vehicle's weight. Its effect on ride quality, when speaking of spring rates appropriate for a Wrangler, is negligible. Keep that italicized phrase in mind.

Shock absorbers have the vast majority of the effect on ride quality. The ride differences between different springs with the slightly different spring rates that are appropriate to a Wrangler have zero to minimal effect.

Would installing springs made for an F-450 or a Fiat 500 make a ride difference? Of course. But those are not spring rates that are appropriate for a Wrangler.

 

[bobthetj03]

You're comparing apples to oranges. Do you really think you'll feel a difference between a TJ coil that is 20 - 30 in. lbs. different? IMO, I'd say the BDS rear spring would be a little better at keeping the ass end from sagging when you load up with gear or have to peeps in the back seat. Other than that, you won't be able to tell.

 

[brianwalker1542]

I went with BDS as well. Although to level it out I used their 3" fronts and 2" rears. Ended up with 3" of actual lift in the front and 2.5" in the rear. Has been eight years and have seen no sagging.

A newbie to the forum reviving this thread haha Getting ready to do the same setup...3" front, 2" rear. Did you have to install longer sway bar links and an adjustable track bar? I'd say you could get away with using the factory links and bar with 2" springs but I wasn't sure about 3". Any helpful tips would be appreciated by any of y'all...thanks!