How do I smooth out the ride?

[VibrantRedGT]

My 97 Limited with V-8 drives to harsh me and my wife. What should I do to make it ride nicer? I have American Racing Neptunes in chrome on it now. It sits at the stock height. It also has 52,000 miles. Should I get shocks?

 

[PLRBEAR]

What wheel size do you run?
Your shocks MAY be gone, but getting new shocks (most of which are relatively firm anyway) won't help soften the ride.
Besides, being a truck based platform, it'll always ride rough, since you're technically sitting on the flatbed (rear passengers).
What psi do you run your tires at? Try bringing EXACTLY to the manufacturer's recommended pressure.

 

[VibrantRedGT]

Nothing spectacular just the stock tires on 15X8 Neptunes. Steeda has suspension parts for these trucks. They suggest Tokicko shocks, heavy duty sway bars and replacing the rubber bushings for urethane. I would think urethane would make it ride rougher. Im still looking into all this.

 

[Bill Kemp]

Get a set of Monroe Reflex or Sensatracs to replace the shocks. That will make a big difference.
Yes he stiffer sway bars and bushings will make the ride harsher... No matter what you do it's still a truck.

 

[Rhett]

Yes urethane bushings will ride rougher than rubber ones. But urethanes will give a tighter suspension for turning, bounce control, etc. and they don't wear out as fast as the rubber bushings.

I don't know about Tokico's...I have yet to hear any Explorer owner here who has them...I always thought Tok's were more for the ricer or VW scene..
The Steeda kit to which you refer will make the truck sportier and handle better, but I think it will ride rougher with the mod's they describe.

Bilsteins seem to get good reviews from Explorer people too. I have $70/each Edelbrock's and I can't say they are any better than $30 Gabriel VSTs.

 

[PLRBEAR]

Tires can also affect the harshness of the truck's ride. AT tires tend to have stiffer sidewalls, while passenger all-season tires like mine will flex more for comfort. I'm assuming you have the Firestones?

 

[Rhett]

PLRBEAR how do you like your Michelin Cross Terrains...

What tire did you run before? Does the Cross Terrain ride better than your old tires?

 

[85Dave]

I currently have Michelins and Gabriel VST shocks. Each of these made a huge difference on my '92. I also had Rancho 5000's, but they did not soften the ride. My buddy wishes his '99 would ride as good as mine with 140,000 miles!

 

[PLRBEAR]

Rhett,

I had the Wilderness AT tires before this. Got them replaced about a month ago by the dealer. They are slightly softer than the ATs, but much quieter and smoother overall. I have yet to find out what they can do on the trail and in snow. I'll let you know once i get the chance to go out of the city.

 

[VibrantRedGT]

I have Uniroyals. I bought the Truck used and that's what the dealership put on. Im thinking of Edelbrock shocks and changing the rubber sway bar bushings for urethane. Thanks for the replies. Anyone else?

 

[Rhett]

VibrantRedGT:

Like I said above:

"I have $70/each Edelbrock's and I can't say they are any better than $30 Gabriel VSTs."

Maybe you will find that, for your truck, they are. But not on my 94 Sport.

My friend has VST's on his 91 and they ride as good or better than my expensive Edelbrocks. My next set of shocks will be either Bilstiens or VSTs or Monroe Reflex.

If you change the sway bar bushings, look into getting a set from Performance Suspension Components (www.performancesuspension.com). They sell a graphite-impregnated (i.e. self lubricating) polyurethane bushing set.

 

[PLRBEAR]

VibrantRedGT:

I thought you were trying to make the ride less harsh? Why are you planning to install urethane bushings and Edelbrocks? I would install the urethane bushing, only because they'll last longer than the rubber ones. I've got Monroe Reflex shocks on, and they're a bang for the buck. But, it's all up to you....your truck and your money.