Want a softer ride. Remove Suspension Lift?
#1
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Want a softer ride. Remove Suspension Lift?
Have a 93 22re pickup. I've only had it for a year or so. New engine, new exhaust.
Anyhow, the ride is pretty rough. Just hitting any kind of bumps on the road dang near hurt. I have 31" tires on it.
I don't know the amount of lift it has, but it has a Trailmaster suspension lift on it...I saw the name on some of the parts. I don't think it has a body lift.
Anyways...a while back I was going to change the shocks, but the old ones seemed ok. The truck doesn't bounce or anything, so I assumed they were fine, even though they look like crap.
So...is the suspension lift the reason why it's so rough? Is there a way to make it any better? Would putting "softer" shocks on help at all, or would the lift kit pretty much override the shocks?
I don't really offroad that much. Can you take the lift off, and how hard is that? lol...I don't really want to take the lift off, since I like having it when I need it, but the ride is just too uncomfortable.
Gimme anything ya can!
Anyhow, the ride is pretty rough. Just hitting any kind of bumps on the road dang near hurt. I have 31" tires on it.
I don't know the amount of lift it has, but it has a Trailmaster suspension lift on it...I saw the name on some of the parts. I don't think it has a body lift.
Anyways...a while back I was going to change the shocks, but the old ones seemed ok. The truck doesn't bounce or anything, so I assumed they were fine, even though they look like crap.
So...is the suspension lift the reason why it's so rough? Is there a way to make it any better? Would putting "softer" shocks on help at all, or would the lift kit pretty much override the shocks?
I don't really offroad that much. Can you take the lift off, and how hard is that? lol...I don't really want to take the lift off, since I like having it when I need it, but the ride is just too uncomfortable.
Gimme anything ya can!
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I agree w/ mtn goat. my 85 just had stiff springs but when i replaced the shocks, the change was minimal. just lower the torsion bars past stock, the rear might be saggy a little. and if not change them out thats easy, id do a chevy swap, ive heard the ride is like caddi w/ them.
my 89 on the other hand, is very soft and bouncy, so im gonna replace all the suspension after i finish the new engine.
my 89 on the other hand, is very soft and bouncy, so im gonna replace all the suspension after i finish the new engine.
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Originally Posted by mastacox
Is the suspension close to either set of bump stops while sitting on level ground?
Yeah, I noticed that today. Actually, my driveway is a little slanted with the front of the truck down, so it isn't level...but I noticed that there was hardly any room, if any, to the little rubber bump things.
What do I do with that?
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#8
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Originally Posted by Red3.slow
Crank the torsion bars some to raise it back up to a more normal ride height? Thats what I would assume.
Show us a pic or 2 of the front end and that will help.
Last edited by mt_goat; 07-26-2006 at 05:20 AM.
#9
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Originally Posted by mastacox
Is the suspension close to either set of bump stops while sitting on level ground?
#10
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Originally Posted by Red3.slow
Crank the torsion bars some to raise it back up to a more normal ride height? Thats what I would assume.
Actually, my guess is he's close to the UPPER bump stops (droop) so he will still want to lower the T-Bars, if you are close to either set of bumps it will totally screw your ride.
Try taking a picture to show to us, we could do a better diagnosis that way.
Last edited by mastacox; 07-26-2006 at 05:21 AM.
#11
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Back when I first got my 4Runner, before I had BJ spacers I cranked my front a little to match the back when I got Downey's... long story short the top a-arm was too close to the "droop/extension" bump-stop (I didn't have low-profile bumps either yet) and so any kind of bump you went over the suspension would be very uncomfortable because it could compress a little, but not droop. It would compress, the t-bars would push back HARD, and it would hit bump
What can I say, I was hard core
What can I say, I was hard core
#13
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Originally Posted by RustBucket
Why does the idea of balljoint spacers always make me uncomfortable? Seems like a practical mod, but i dunno...
I have mine with 26mm torsion bars, ultra-low profile poly bump stops, sway bar disconnects, and manual hubs, the front end is great for off road but still comfy on the street (IMO at least). With the Rancho RSX's, it made a HUGE difference in the size "whoops" I could go over at the sand dunes, and what speed I could take them at. Next best thing to LT suspension IMO.
#15
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Originally Posted by RustBucket
So you install the spacers, lower your t-bars a little, install the low-profile stops, you effectively have more travel?
Does the problem of popping CV boots arise with these spacers? Or only when you don't have manual hubs?
Does the problem of popping CV boots arise with these spacers? Or only when you don't have manual hubs?
Keep in mind you really need new shocks also to get more travel. But the fact that you end up cranking down you t-bars some makes the rise softer.
I haven't had any CV troubles, but some poeple do I think, depends on how hard you wheel more than anything.
Last edited by mastacox; 07-26-2006 at 07:42 AM.
#16
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Originally Posted by RustBucket
Does the problem of popping CV boots arise with these spacers? Or only when you don't have manual hubs?
#17
Originally Posted by mt_goat
I'd say CVs are the main concern, just because so many guys use the spacers for lift. Of course manual hubs help a lot.
#18
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Warn premium manual hubs are cheap (relatively) and easy to install, might as well do that and you can just leave them locked if you feel like using just ADD now and then.
#19
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I've been thinking about upgrading my suspension on my 93 4x4 sr5 dlx v6 5 speed. And Brian you got the set up that I've been thinking about. What do you think about ome? I don't want a extreme lift, just a functional one that rides good on and off road. Also installing the BJ spacers how much cutting is required and where. do you have a pic of it?
Will
Will
#20
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Originally Posted by rollem
I've been thinking about upgrading my suspension on my 93 4x4 sr5 dlx v6 5 speed. And Brian you got the set up that I've been thinking about. What do you think about ome? I don't want a extreme lift, just a functional one that rides good on and off road. Also installing the BJ spacers how much cutting is required and where. do you have a pic of it?
Will
Will
For the rear, I like the 1.5" lift HD coils because they give you about 2" total lift, and you can load the back down without significant drops in height. The HD coils still flex plenty well. I haven't gotten around to getting a panhard drop, but would recommend it to avoid scraping your gas tank with your driveshaft.
As for shocks, I got much longer ones in back, and a little longer ones in the front. I wrote a thread about what part numbers and lengths I used:
Rancho RSX Shocks
I don't have any pics of the trimmed UCA, perhaps someone else does... You'll need a sawzall and/or grinder to do it effectively, hand tools won't do the job IMO.
Last edited by mastacox; 07-26-2006 at 01:22 PM.