Need help, suggestions

[Steve B.]

:confused: I have a '90 Waggy and installed a Rusty's 4" spring kit with his hydro shocks, stainless steel lines, and new stabilizer. Have sway bars disconnected, and currently only have 30's on it (BFG AT's). My issue is the ride --- it is harsh, and uncomfortable. I feel every crack and crevice in the road and it just rides like a log wagon. Where should I start? Will better quality shocks make that big of an improvement, or are these springs just so stiff that I have to live with a sore back? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[fireman91186]

Good shocks could help a little but the springs are what is causing the problem. When ever you go to a spring that has a greater arch to it, it will be a different ride then it was stock.


As far as companies go some have better riding springs then others do (you get what you pay for). I have no personal experience with Rusty's spring's but I do know that Rough Country's that I have on my Cherokee are rough but I knew that going in.

Hope that helped a little & good luck with and welcome to the site.

[billyrb]

although they aren't our springs, go to our forums and follow the installation instructions and break the springs in like we recommend. The other issue is going to be the shocks. If you want a better, softer ride, you'll need to upgrade the shocks.

[Dirtball]

Good man, Ryan...

I was going to tell him basically the same thing... that the springs could be bound up some.

ALL lifts have to be broken in, too... mine rides much better now than when I put it on.

One more suggestion: you don't have to run the max pressure in your tires. Run the suggested amount of air. Your tires are your FIRST shock absorbers!! If they are pumped up as tight as possible they are going to ride a lot rougher.

[Steve B.]

If I found the correct spot, after all the install info you suggest flexing it out several times off-road?

[DAHoyle]

One more suggestion: you don't have to run the max pressure in your tires. Run the suggested amount of air. Your tires are your FIRST shock absorbers!! If they are pumped up as tight as possible they are going to ride a lot rougher.

Really good point. It is hard to know exactly how much air to run in the tires on any given vehicle, and even front to rear can need different pressures. A good way to get a general idea is tread wear, but that can indicate a problem, after you have already worn them. More wear in the center, too high a pressure. More wear on the outsides, too low.

A quick way to get an idea is to paint a stripe across the tread, and drive. around the block. If the center wears off first, too much pressure, If the outside wears first, too little. If you are looking for the lowest pressure you can run without uneven wear, you just start out at the suggested pressure, and try lowering it and reading the stripe.

The pressure that is appropriate for a vehicle varies tremendously, depending on sidewall flex, and vehicle weight. I used to have a CJ with some old bias ply 31's, and anything over 10 lbs would rattle your teeth, and that was the regular pressure, not aired down.

[Steve B.]

A big thanks for all who have responded so far. I will try all the suggestions and see where that gets me.

[will e]

I have the rusty's on my jeep. WHile not 'soft' it is not harsh either. I went with rancho shocks.

If you suspect the shocks, take them off and take it for a short spin.