Interesting issues with leaf spring Versus coils.

It's nothing to do with Leaf V's Coil as your title suggests. It's simply the chassis & the spring mounting that can't carry a load that is at or well over it's rated GVM. I've seen 2 leaf sprung patrols crack in half behind the cab from carrying a constant heavy load, nothing new here. Done correctly like on a Landy, coils can carry a decent load without falling apart.
Cheers Craig.............

Axle

Don't think there is a vehicle built that can outlast a Telstra Technician. Going back years now Telstra had issues with Nissan and Toyota alike in 4x4's as the vehicles were and probaby still are, subject to a lot of punishment.


Cheers

I think the trouble is that the old-fashioned concept of "build-em tough" has gone out the window at the request of the manufacturers' bean-counters. They've realised that 99% of buyers only use their 4x4s as shopping trolleys and school buses. Those of us who buy their product with a view to using it to (or beyond) it's designed capabilities, can all get stuffed.

They must save a packet by skrimping on the thickness and quality of the steel and welding techniques they emply when building a machine. Do it as cheaply as you can get away with, would be their idea these days.

Sad, but true.

Yep, problem described in OP has nothing to do to coil vs leaf. But if discussed this particular point I would prefer leaf on the back and coils on the front. I use to have LC60 with leafs in all 4 corners and have not got even single issue. Now with LC80 I continuously making around with rear. Yes, I am aware about more travel and more comfort, but with proper setup travel with leaf sufficient for everything, but absolute extreme rock climbing and comfort in any passenger car is far greater that in any “proper” 4WD. In return leaf in the back give you much simple setup in area where you need good clearance (as least 6 pieces of metal gone – two upper, two lower, pahran and stabilizer with all corresponding components), they much more tolerant to overload and even with my heaviest load and stock setup I have not managed bottomed my 60 eve once, while with 80 it happens second time with squashed exhaust. Now I have put stiffest springs from OME, but afraid they still not stiff enough. Coils way too soft. Frankly I have no single problem with them in front. So I am very welcome LC70 setup and know for sure what my next rig will be.

Cheers
Serg

Someone said these utes arent capable of a reasonable load!
Look at the load capacity of these trucks especially the coil cabs, then take off a few hundred kg for a "tough" steel tray with full body tool boxes then 2 spare wheels, 160l diesel, Bars, winch etc etc - not much capacity left.
Some of the Telstra utes are Leaf sprung with uprated GVM from new for this reason. They have different chassis too.
They shouldnt have anywhere near 1 tonne on the back of a std coil cab.
I doubt many of them are under standard GVM BEFORE they are loaded up.
The weakest link is actually the axle ratings - ie theres something in them which is rated to 1800kg (leaf axle is Heavier duty)
Real issue here is we keep trying to use Heavy duty cars as trucks. If you need to carry 1.5 tonne up an incline - use a truck rated for it but you have to put up with the downside - speed , comfort, cost and size
Same can be said for wagons.
JR

Simple answer; use the vehicles in the load range for which they were designed.
Once upon a time 4WD's used to be over designed but then the consumers demanded better ride and better economy so the manufacturers obliged.
I reckon the American system is the way to go. A traditional Jeep is a 1/4 ton vehicle, F100 1/2 ton vehicle, F250 3/4ton vehicle and a F350 is a 1 ton vehicle. If you want to load it up, buy a F350.
Most of our common 4wd's are really 1/2 ton vehicles. they can take more, but if you use them off road, or let employee's drive them, you're on borrowed time.