Way to stiff...easy ways to losein er up.

[jarfly]

97 with skyjacker 6".
Just got back from wheeling and got to say this thing is WAY to stiff. I really need to get it to flex some more. I got the back thought out with the chevy stuff. But the front has me puzzled.
Im thinkin quick disconnects for the sway bars but what eles can I do.
Keep in mind i'm daily driveing this too.

 

[4.0B2]

disconnecting the sway bar helps..

also, get some jeep cherokee lift coils or early bronco lift coils.. something a lot softer.
wait, is the 97 still ttb? lol... if so, softer coils are a must!

longer shocks.. make sure the shocks are not limiting your flex.. flex it out, show us some pics!

 

[legoms013]

97 with skyjacker 6".
Just got back from wheeling and got to say this thing is WAY to stiff. I really need to get it to flex some more. I got the back thought out with the chevy stuff. But the front has me puzzled.
Im thinkin quick disconnects for the sway bars but what eles can I do.
Keep in mind i'm daily driveing this too.

Biggest thing is if the shocks and sway bar are limited your flex. Skyjacker coils are usually pretty soft unless your truck is anything other than a 4.0 equipped Supercab (heaviest variant).

Do you have longarms?

I can flex truck to the bumpstops, and max out the droop on the radius arm bushing. 12" of travel on skyjacker brackets and coils. It is plenty soft for me.

 

[jarfly]

Yup still TTB, and no it's just factory raidus arms. What shocks would you guys use for this? It needs new shocks BADLEY. and i'll try to get some flex shocks today.

 

[4.0B2]

extend your radius arms. there are several threads on how to do it yourself... its easy if you can do a little fab work.

as far as shocks go, i'm a huge bilstein fan.. so is Legoms. just make sure you figure out what length shock you need so you're not limiting flex w/ your shocks. cycle your suspension all way up and down, and measure... but if you're gonna make it flex more, i'd wait for the new coils and extended arms and stuff, so the new shocks are the right length for the new setup.


personally i'm gonna end up w/ extended arms, xj 6" lift coils, f250 shock towers, and probably bilsteins (if i can afford them), with super runner steering. you're steering is another thing that can hurt flex...

 

[legoms013]

Yup still TTB, and no it's just factory raidus arms. What shocks would you guys use for this? It needs new shocks BADLEY. and i'll try to get some flex shocks today.

The stock arms are what's killing your flex. And I bet some of the harsh ride you are experience is from the worn out shocks not controlling the excess vibrations.

For now I'd suggest any name brand shock: Skyjacker, Tuff Country, Monroe, Rough Country, Pro-Comp, Fabtech ect ect. Every lift kit manufacturer has a shock listing for lifted Rangers and to be honest most are made by the same company or are extremely similar. I also did not list them all, there are tons to be had. In addition to that, each brand usually can be had in either gas charged or hydro versions. Gas charged being the better variant. These kinds of shocks should run you no more than about $35-$40 a peice.

If you want to spend more look into Bilsteins (HD replacements or 5125's)...They run about $75 a piece (I think they are worth the extra coin). I have them on all four corners of my truck and love 'em.

Course then there is RadFlo, Icon, Fox, King and many other super expensive brands....no need for those really unless you just have more money than sense.

I'd measure for what size shock you need, then consult this list (it will tell you how to measure as well):

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Summer2009/shock_dimensions.htm

And later when you want to work on fixing the limited flex, go make your self a set of longer radius arms (many have done it, its not too bad if you have fab skillz) or James Duff, and Skyjacker both make a great set of aftermarket long arms for your application.

 

[jarfly]

extending the arms is/will be in the works as I have a few extras laying around. Should I use a factory style bushin or go heims? Allso been looking in to gettin some coils for a xj.I have a set of bilstins on order just waiting on them. And my shocks I would say there past wore out, they have NO action at all. lol

 

[4.0B2]

I'm gonna use stock bushings... I've read several places that flex joints don't help bc of other limiting places. Idk what places tho. Can't remember. Plus bushings are $11. Flex joints are like $65. I wouldn't have used heims anyways... No bushing in heims. Transfer all road and trail movement into the frame. Suspension is to take that out!!! Lol. So if you want to use joints-- use Johnny joints or some other type of link end joint. Partsmike.com has a nice one. Creeper joints are pretty good.

 

[4x4junkie]

If it'll spend much time on the road, definitely use bushings (or something that has a rubber or urethane insulator in it).

XJ coils (230-240PPI) should work well if your truck is not a Supercab, however they might be a tad soft otherwise (in which case EB coils or F-150 Superflex coils (300-320PPI) might be better). Don't forget about your steering though... The softer coils will reveal any issues with it quite vividly if you haven't set it up correctly yet.