Soft Ride Suspension

[Freezer]

A little History. In 1978 with the introduction of the 'LTD' Wagoneer, AMC offered a 39.00 option called soft ride suspension. The package affected springs, tires and shocks. The spring arch was 7 7/8 up front instead of 5 7/8 for heavy duty (what I have now), in the rear, I don't know. I'm getting ready to replace the springs, thinking of going with the soft ride set-up and edelbrock performer IAS shocks. Question, can someone with 'soft ride' give me their impressions. Also, should I go with rubber or poly bushings. Thanks!
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[Bob Barry]

I've got a pack off a '79 Limited, and the plan is to mix and match those with a couple other packs I've got to get a flexier front-end, maybe even with more lift. The stock 2-leaf HD springs are nearly flat when sitting still, and don't flex much in either direction. I believe the later GW's like my '88 came with the soft-ride as stock, and while it's a bit smoother than my Cherokee, I think that your choice of shocks and tires has a lot more to do with the ride-quality (I've got HD shocks and LT tires on both, so neither is very smooth on road).

As for bushings, the original-style bushings (mine are from Crown) have VERY little rubber in them (only about 1/4" between the inner and outer sleeves), so they provide good road feel. If you go with the aftermarket bushings, I think they don't use the outer sleeve, so there's a lot more rubber, and hence more flex, which is good for off-road, but not for road-feel. In that situation, the polys are probably better.

Still, it depends what you want out of your truck. I think the stock bushings are a good compromise.

[reddog]

My 87 has the 7 leaf springs. The problem I have is that the main leaf isd so thin that it bent (after being pretty worn out) easily. I think the best mix would be using the thinker main leaf from the 5 leaf spring and a mix of other leafs if your going to put together your own spring pack. JMHO

Kerry

[scotty]

kerry,i had the same prollem.i was super happy withthe soft,cushy ride and the articulation of my stock 85 springs.i bent my main leaf as well,and contiued to wheel it for overa year,until it finally broke :eek: brokne leaf springs are definately no fun. luckily there was an on board welder nearby,and a quick field fix in welding a piece of metal to the broken main leaf had me back on the trail.

poly bushings will give you a somewhat firmer ride,and will eventually start to squeek and drive you bonkers smile.gif