Ride Quality Question

[QNev]

I've had my truck for over a year and my suspension has always been pretty rough. Some heavy friends jumped on my tailgate and we tried to see how far we could get my suspension to travel and it didn't look like more than 2 inches. They're definitely not bottomed out either.

Is this expected for a 1990 XLT 4x4, or is it time for some new shocks? Could the leaf springs just be old?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Trucks ride rough, it will take more than a couple hundred pounds to bottom out the suspension.

If they are old you might try some different shocks, but it never will ride like a car with the suspension that is under it.

 

[QNev]

Any recommendations for cheap, softer shocks?

 

[fordboi415]

Rancho has some adjustable shocks that might give you the ride your looking for but once again its a truck so expect a rough ride

 

[dgndngrngr]

Gabriel makes some very cheap shocks (12 bucks a shock) and they have been around a long time. Ive been happy with mine. I put monroe sensatracs on my 03 and theyve been good too (pretty cheap also)

 

[Bent Bolt]

I'm going to disagree with all of you and say that he needs to get the rear shocks checked. Two heavy guys on the tailgate should get the back end to bounce more than 2 inches.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'm going to disagree with all of you and say that he needs to get the rear shocks checked. Two heavy guys on the tailgate should get the back end to bounce more than 2 inches.

Usually shocks get looser rather than stiffer with use.

Another possiblity is that someone added a add-a-leaf or air shocks at some point in the trucks past.

 

[djo652]

I got the KYB KG5489 Gas-a- Just Monotube Shock and the KYB KG5493 Gas-a- Just Monotube Shock for my '96 4X4 Ranger. Not sure which is for the front or which is for the back. I realized my old ones were going bad because I have a very stiff and uncomfortable ride. I felt every bump. I did a lot of research and thought these we a good choice between the high-end, expensive heavy-duty shocks and the super cheapo's. They were about $42 - $43 per shock, free shipping at Amazon.com. Not very easy but not all that hard to install. The truck rides great now...with the exception of two broken leaf spring hangers. Well, it did ride great and will again very soon.

Good luck with your selection!

 

[Bent Bolt]

Usually shocks get looser rather than stiffer with use.

Another possiblity is that someone added a add-a-leaf or air shocks at some point in the trucks past.

Usually, but not always! All the oil could have leaked out and seized or the shock could get bent.

 

[95RangerAK]

something similar to that happened on my moms 99 dodge durango. the front right shock gave no movement at all. it made a thunk sound when we drove and went over bumps. replaced the shocks and it fixed it. the problem was that the shocks had comepletly failed and when removed the bar that goes into the shock just fell out. idk what technically happened to them but i know that they were screwed. i would take em out and give em a look over before buying new ones. and buy new ones anyways cause if its a shock problem(and thats what it sounds like) replacing them will fix it.

 

[Ken M]

The stiffness of your ride isn't set by your choice of shock, it's spring rates that determine that. The control of your springs is what shocks do; compression damping and rebound damping. Add to that what a sway bar does, body roll resistance. Then there's sprung weight vs, unsprung weight.

If you are looking for a car-like ride you need softer springs, not shocks. The softer your spring rates are, the more evident the condition and action of your shock absorbers acting with the spring travel will be.

What are you trying to get for ride quality/type?

 

[brendank]

The stiffness of your ride isn't set by your choice of shock, it's spring rates that determine that.

That's not always entirely true. Some shocks are valved differently than others. If they are more stiff than a regular shock, or if you run 2 shocks per corner, then the increase in dampening ability will make the ride more rough. In my case, I intentionally picked soft springs, and put 2 bilsteins in each front corner. This was so that it would have good road characteristics, and still have very good flex.


Bent Bolt may be right. The shock could be seized or damaged in some way that could inhibit its movement. It may also be a spring or shackle/bushing issue.

Either way, it doesn't sound right. I would take off the shocks and check them separate from the springs.