Coilover vs Shock/Spring?

[pbcolt]

Is there a reason to buy coilovers instead of a shock and spring combo?

My thoughts:
I'm gonna have 2" lift front and 3 1/2" out back. I can get that with...

Toytec coilover - $730 assembled
881's and bilsteins - $300, maybe $400 if I want new top plates and hardware.

Am I missing something? Has anyone ever really found a need for the adjustability of coilovers?

 

[brian2sun]

You don't need adjustability if you are running all the weight you will ever have, but if you plan on adding an off road bumper, winch, sliders, etc... the adjustability is nice (although you do need to get an alignment after every time you adjust it). It's also nice to be able to adjust them if you get coils that are prone to sagging over time.

I anticipated adding extra weight so I bought shocks and coils that would be too stiff for stock and just perfect once I got everything I want and it's working out great.

 

[pbcolt]

You don't need adjustability if you are running all the weight you will ever have, but if you plan on adding an off road bumper, winch, sliders, etc... the adjustability is nice (although you do need to get an alignment after every time you adjust it). It's also nice to be able to adjust them if you get coils that are prone to sagging over time.

I anticipated adding extra weight so I bought shocks and coils that would be too stiff for stock and just perfect once I got everything I want and it's working out great.

Thanks Brian,
I'm still trying to figure all of this out. I was thinking the 881's with no spacer, but I hear that only gets around 35.5" ground to fender, exactly where I sit now. Other option would be Toytec/Eibach front coil lift springs - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits. Maybe with those and 7.5 wrap lc's in back I'll get the 1-1.5" rake I want.

and I wont be adding anything on the front...my light bar is all I'll have

 

[brian2sun]

Any wrap LC coils will give you a rake over the coilovers or the 881s w/ spacers. If you are gonna go with LCs in the back it will look retorted with just 881s and no spacers though.

Ground to fender measurements don't really mean anything because tire size, brand, treadwear, etc.. are too big of variables. Hub to fender is accurate.

 

[pbcolt]

If you are gonna go with LCs in the back it will look retorted with just 881s and no spacers though.

haha yeah. I'm liking those eibach ones...3" up front and 3.5-4" from the LC's in back I'll be set.