in need of help

[tdadangerranger97]

Hey guys this last weekend I took my 97 xlt ranger with a 5inch superlift, 3inch body leveling kit, and 35 inch tires out wheeling. My question is what have you guys done to make a smoother ride. I'm not expecting the ride of a town car, but two days later I'm still sore. Any words of advice would be much appreciated.

 

[martin]

The first thing that comes to mind is tyre pressure.

 

[Mark_88]

Yes, tire pressure can make a world of difference...but, then again, so can the terrain...if you were over some rough roads or fields there isn't too much you can do suspension wise...but a new seat might be in order...

If you have the stock seats you might want to check out what others have put in...I know my stock 88 came with a bench that was extremely uncomfortable...putting in buckets made driving much more of a pleasure.

 

[tdadangerranger97]

My tire pressure was at 20psi but I was looking into getting a new seat I hate the 60/ 40 split seats. What kind of seats would you guys recommend?

 

[97RangerXLT]

I have the stock 60/40 in my 97, and it is quite comfortable. I am 6' 1" and 250 lbs. my truck has the 4.0, auto transmission/ transfer case and a factory 2 " lift. I also have 31" tires. so other than the lift kit and 35" tires, my truck is pretty much the same as yours. In fact, my Ranger gives a better ride on the highway than my 2004 Maxima (which has all the swag and goodies...)

So I would look at your suspension, make sure your driveshaft is not at too much of an angle, make sure it is not bent or out of balance, also look at the u-joints. No reason your truck should be beating you to death (other than retaliation for you beating it to death and mine hasn't retaliated yet)

AJ

 

[97RangerXLT]

also check your tire condition and balance. if one is out of balance or if you have slipped or broken belt, that will also make the truck ride poorly.

AJ

 

[4x4junkie]

My guess would be it's the Superstiff front coil springs and generic twin-tube lift shocks (Superlift coils are waaayy stiffer than they need to be, probably the stiffest of any lift manufacturer).

A set of Skyjacker coils together with shocks from a quality brand such as Bilstein, Fox, or even KYB would probably smooth things out a lot.

I have Skyjacker's 6" coils and KYB shocks on my Ranger and I've had numerous compliments on it's ride from owners of other lifted trucks (rear is Skyjacker leafs w/Bilstein shocks).

×2 I run the stock 60/40 bench also and no real complaints with it.

 

[bobbywalter]

I have the stock 60/40 in my 97, and it is quite comfortable. I am 6' 1" and 250 lbs. my truck has the 4.0, auto transmission/ transfer case and a factory 2 " lift. I also have 31" tires. so other than the lift kit and 35" tires, my truck is pretty much the same as yours. In fact, my Ranger gives a better ride on the highway than my 2004 Maxima (which has all the swag and goodies...)

So I would look at your suspension, make sure your driveshaft is not at too much of an angle, make sure it is not bent or out of balance, also look at the u-joints. No reason your truck should be beating you to death (other than retaliation for you beating it to death and mine hasn't retaliated yet)

AJ

also check your tire condition and balance. if one is out of balance or if you have slipped or broken belt, that will also make the truck ride poorly.

AJ

how is any of that going to beat him up off roading?

this is a 100 percent suspension thing...(save for the comfort potential of a quality seat on the long trip to a from the trails)....generally starts with spring rates and dampening.

i ride and have driven in vehicles with solid aluminum seats that are much more comfortable to operate all day then my truck on the trails and at high rates of speed.

My guess would be it's the Superstiff front coil springs and generic twin-tube lift shocks (Superlift coils are waaayy stiffer than they need to be, probably the stiffest of any lift manufacturer).

A set of Skyjacker coils together with shocks from a quality brand such as Bilstein, Fox, or even KYB would probably smooth things out a lot.

I have Skyjacker's 6" coils and KYB shocks on my Ranger and I've had numerous compliments on it's ride from owners of other lifted trucks (rear is Skyjacker leafs w/Bilstein shocks).

×2 I run the stock 60/40 bench also and no real complaints with it.

and this is the easy way to go.

 

[tdadangerranger97]

I didn't know that about the super lift being one of then stiffest. thank you guys for all your input and if anyone else can think of anything please keep this thread going.

 

[All Sick 96]

I don't know if you do or not but disconnecting the sway bars before you go sure does seem to help a lot in my truck.. I have a rough country 4 inch lift that was on the lower end of price and it works great once I disconnected the sway bars I didn't feel a darn thing. Imo