Smoother ride

[BluIsBlue]

Hi all! Been riding in too many newer and larger SUVs. Been wondering, has anyone got any ideas on smoothing out the ride quality of these bad boys? I’ve got new KYB shocks and struts that have probably around 1k miles on them since I installed them. Planning on replacing body mounts as well. I run basically brand new stock sized h/t at roughly 35psi. Has anyone got any other ideas? Modifications or tweaks I could do to still have decent 4x4 capability but also have a pleasant on road experience as well? Trying not to break the bank here. I’m driving the 2 door sport model but I’m sure improvements for the 4 door will work the same.

 

[Mesozoic]

Tire selection and shock selection are going to be your biggest contributors to a smooth ride. If you go with any kind of offroad tire, you're throwing out a bit of comfort, for sure as the ruggedness of the tire carcass is important for that application and that comes with a corresponding level of stiffness. Bilstein makes some decent shocks that I found are comfortable.

The live axle out back is rugged and dependable, but not as compliant as an IRS equipped vehicle. If comfort is your priority, you might consider a newer model ('02+) as they are all IRS equipped.

 

[toypaseo]

I agree on tires. When I got my 96, it had dismal Goodyear Wranglers. I put Michelin LTX M/S on, and it was a lot nicer ride…

 

[Blown]

Lower tire pressure. 35 psi will bounce more and burn the center out of the tread. The rears even more so as there is less weight back there. I run 32psi up front and 30 for the rears. I air up when hauling or towing.

You might find a torsion bar that has a lighter spring rate. I don't know what sports run but there are a few different spring rates. Some have installed coil-overs up front to get the ultimate ride and adjustability.

I think a sport has a single leaf rear??? Perhaps a swap too 4 door springs to remove a leaf or two and bag it? I have toyed with the idea of running with only two leaves and air bags..................................I currently run with the overload spring removed to get a better ride, more travel, and installed air adjustable shocks to tighten it up for hauling and towing.

 

[Mesozoic]

Lower tire pressure carefully by referencing load inflation tables if you change tire size from stock. Don't want to experience the infamous Firestone tire situation in this day and age.

https://www.toyotires.com/media/pxcjubjs/application_of_load_inflation_tables_20200723.pdf

 

[Fix4Dirt]

also look at your torsion bar rating (B, D, etc.) B will be the stiffest. there's a chart somewhere on here with the info on what has the highest and lowest spring rate. the KYBs imo are a great balance of good handling and on road comfort but thats jmo im used to the hay wagons

 

[BluIsBlue]

also look at your torsion bar rating (B, D, etc.) B will be the stiffest. there's a chart somewhere on here with the info on what has the highest and lowest spring rate. the KYBs imo are a great balance of good handling and on road comfort but thats jmo im used to the hay wagons

I think the KYBs are great. They improved my ride quality drastically. But riding in other vehicles and going over a small rut in the road and feeling nothing but it makes my sport feel like I hit a big ol pothole is not ideal haha. And I guess that’s in part because of the body mounts being bad. I need new ones and I know my rotted ones can cause some harshness

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I think the KYBs are great. They improved my ride quality drastically. But riding in other vehicles and going over a small rut in the road and feeling nothing but it makes my sport feel like I hit a big ol pothole is not ideal haha. And I guess that’s in part because of the body mounts being bad. I need new ones and I know my rotted ones can cause some harshness

the torsions tend do that even i. silveradoes toyoters etc with the bars i feel a generally less smooth ride w tbars as opposed to coils.

chrck your tbar rating

 

[Blown]

Lower tire pressure carefully by referencing load inflation tables if you change tire size from stock. Don't want to experience the infamous Firestone tire situation in this day and age.

https://www.toyotires.com/media/pxcjubjs/application_of_load_inflation_tables_20200723.pdf

Good stuff! Ford wanted only 26psi. That's low and then if folks didn't monitor pressures that could easily drop too low, heat-up and blow-out.

Another method to check tires is to rub chalk across a section of tire and then drive over flat smooth concrete. The chalk will show if the tire is under or overinflated.

 

[Squirrelmaster]

I recently replaced the worn-out rear monoleaf springs in my '99 Sport with new 4-door OME lift springs (+2") and Bilstein 4600 shocks. The front also has new Bilstein 4600 shocks and the factory torsion bars. The ride is greatly improved, especially in the rear where the monoleaf springs simply didn't have any tension left in them and let the shocks bottom out in bigger bumps. However, while the rear rides great now, the front is still pretty rough due to the limits of the torsion bar setup. My plans are, at some point down the road, to attempt a solid axle swap, but if those change I will likely consider doing a coil-over setup with a kit like this: 98-11 Front Torsion Suspension Coilover Conversion Mounts for lowered or lifted