Hmm.. rear end is too stiff now, wat should i do?
 

Ever since i threw on my belltech 6400s and fox emulsions in the rear, it seems actually stiffer then stock.. like even when i go over a speed bump slow, instead of absorbing the impact it just feels like its bouncing. The leaf springs have no arc to them whatsoever, their flat. I want something that will absorb bumps more so i feel them less, i know being an offroader we all want this.. but from everything i have learned on this site and RPS you all seem to suggest this route, the shackles and fox emulsions. I know the front is stiff, and i plan on doing coilovers soon, but wtf is with the stiff rear end? My buddys dodge dakota runs smoother than hell.

suggestions? I was thinking doing a prekey block replacement and just moving up 1 hole on the shackle to get a little more arc back but im not sure that would fix the problem. lookin for alittle insight.

Get new leaf springs.

Skyjacker or Deaver leaf springs will fix your problem. I know the set-up I have is much better than stock, especially off-road. It rides better off-road than on-road.

What do Deavers or Skyjacker leafs cost KLC if you know?

I would have to say its the Fox shocks are the problem. After installing my 6400 my ride didnt change at all...

what exactly are deaver springs? ive heard tonnnns about them but have no idea what they are. is deaver a brand? and if so is there a certain size i would get to replace my stock ones? I heard i could get my stock springs "re-arc'd" too?

The ride isn't because of the shackles. The shackles don't affect ride. They just relocate.

It depends on what lift height you get, but the 6" Skyjacker leaf springs are roughly $425 shipped. I can't comment on Deaver leafs.

I just looked up Deavers and they are like $550 plus.

Deaver Suspension - Deaver Suspension

thanks KLC. now, what is so special about them that makes everybody want them?

What are your shocks charged to, 200 psi? You might try lowering the amount of charge.

picky picky picky.... Ryan...you really wouldn't like riding in my truck...

Same as coil-over's, they ride a lot better. Plus, they are a better way to lift your vehicle.

guess thats why thie like 6-700 bucks? lol

I can't compare the two, but I like my Skyjacker's. And, based on what I have gathered in this thread, they are much cheaper than Deaver's.

Deavers from what I understand are better for longer travel suspension vehicles

Yeah, I think you're right since Deaver offers race leaf springs. Skyjacker leaf springs are primarily designed for a "regular" lifted vehicle.

could be the valving. tuning may go quite aways. call fox's tech service and talk to them.

Sounds like a problem with shocks not springs, maybe it's just me.
Even after the springs in my ranger were flat, I ran belltechs and bilsteins and it rode very smooth. I also kept a bit of weight back there.

Whats is the valving on the Fox Shocks set at? That has a huge impact on how it rides, they may be setup for more high speed so its smooth on the freeway rather than around town. As for the leaf spring suggestions, deavers are great with the fox emulsions. Very nice ride, real smooth.

question: it's off topic, but on and i didn't see starting a new thread for it.

do you have to replace you rear shocks if all you do is the shackle upgrade fro mstock to say the 6400 "lowering" ones?

Why does everyone need to lift the rear so much? The skyjacker leafs or deavers lift quite a bit and paired with shackles thats even more. The front is the problem with lifting, unless you have a superlift or RCD drop bracket....So if you have a BL ranger, add belltechs and skyjacker leafs, and have the Coil Overs, can the front be evened out to that amount of lift in the rear?

I need pics

You answered your first question. No to your second question. There is no way you could get 5.5"+ out of the front without a suspension lift.

When my truck was stock I lifted the rear 1.25", which caused the stock shocks to overextend when I went over speed bumps. So I am going to say that you will need different shocks.