Good suspension mods for off roading
#1
08-23-2018
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: gardnerville
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Good suspension mods for off roading
Now, I'm a 16 year old that lives where me and my friends can go out and screw around in the pits quite often in our trucks. I have a 1989 ranger with a 4.0 swap and 5sp 4x4. I bought the truck with what I have assumed as a 4" suspension lift but it can be pretty rough as I put cheap skyjackers on it. Looking to save up and make it a nice off road vehicle over time. I'm not planning on dumping a lot of money into it but I do want it to be worthy of going fast on somewhat bumpy/rocky dirt roads and have good travel to jump now and then😎 what are some mods to do that would improve my off road ability. I was thinking of just getting new coils/leafs and shocks but what are some good ones for cheap?
#2
08-24-2018
Get a 12volt powered air compressor
Lower tires air pressure when off road, better traction and tires absorb bumps better, go down to say 15psi, depending on the tire, you don't want to go too low or a tire can come off the rim when cornering hard.
Softer rear leafs springs with added overload spring can help, allows rear end to absorb bumps better, also a better ride on the street, factory springs have to be rated at 1,000lbs to get the 1/2 ton rating, so unless you drive around with 700lbs in the bed factory springs are way too stiff.
You can get front coils that act the same way, softer center coils that get stiffer the more they are compressed, this keeps the front wheels on the ground at speed over smaller bumps but can absorb the larger bumps.
Springs are rated for the WEIGHT of the vehicle
Remove the 4 shocks, just bottom or top bolt, then push down on the 4 corners, should bounce easily if you weigh 150-200lbs, if not springs are too stiff, meaning they have too high a weight rating for your vehicles actual weight.
The weight of the vehicle when you hit a bump is what keeps the tires on the ground, if the springs are rated for a higher weight then UP goes the truck and with it the WHEELS, because there is no weight to hold them down.
Shocks are used to prevent the springs from continuing to bounce after hitting a bump
Lower tires air pressure when off road, better traction and tires absorb bumps better, go down to say 15psi, depending on the tire, you don't want to go too low or a tire can come off the rim when cornering hard.
Softer rear leafs springs with added overload spring can help, allows rear end to absorb bumps better, also a better ride on the street, factory springs have to be rated at 1,000lbs to get the 1/2 ton rating, so unless you drive around with 700lbs in the bed factory springs are way too stiff.
You can get front coils that act the same way, softer center coils that get stiffer the more they are compressed, this keeps the front wheels on the ground at speed over smaller bumps but can absorb the larger bumps.
Springs are rated for the WEIGHT of the vehicle
Remove the 4 shocks, just bottom or top bolt, then push down on the 4 corners, should bounce easily if you weigh 150-200lbs, if not springs are too stiff, meaning they have too high a weight rating for your vehicles actual weight.
The weight of the vehicle when you hit a bump is what keeps the tires on the ground, if the springs are rated for a higher weight then UP goes the truck and with it the WHEELS, because there is no weight to hold them down.
Shocks are used to prevent the springs from continuing to bounce after hitting a bump
#3
08-24-2018
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: gardnerville
Posts: 2
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