![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Cheboygan, MI
Posts: 998
|
Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
Can our 4x4s be made to ride as smooth as a modern 4x4? What's the trick?
Do any of you guys have a reasonably riding 4x4? My '71 has rancho shocks, a 4" lift and poly spring bushings and it rides like a dump truck... lol. I don't off road enough to live through this pain and I'm using the truck as a daily driver. Maybe there's someone here in the Denver area that wants to trade some suspension stuff? Thanks, Tony
__________________
Tony Johnson -- '71 Blazer w/L-31 Vortec 350, SM465, NP205, performer intake, edelbrock 1406, HEI, 4" lift, Boyd EFI tank, Vintage A/C My Blazer -- |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: OKC, OK
Posts: 2,365
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
You won't get it as nice with a straight axle up front as an IFS, but there is a difference in ride quality between lift kits. Whose spings are you using, which Rancho shocks, are your factory seats wore out?? All this translates to ride quality.
Mike
__________________
Mike Redpath |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA
Posts: 12,684
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
What is your tire pressure - you might be able to drop a few psi to soften it up. Are your rubber body mounts in good shape?
Your seats in your pics look pretty comfy so I think you have that covered. I hear great things aboout Alcon springs for a soft ride. I have Superlift 4" front springs on my K5 and blocks out back. I can't remember what shocks it has on it but they are definitely not top of the line shocks. It sure can get bucking on certain roads around here that are rough but when I'm on a decent road I think it really rides pretty well. My 69 K20 has 6" Tuff Country's with the hd leaf which seems to make them about 7" and the too ride pretty decent. I'm using Rancho RSX9000's on the K20. That same road that makes my K5 buck also makes my K20 buck.
__________________
1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 34
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
When I put my 6" Tuff country in it rode like it was gonna shake out my fillings. Then I replaced the worn out out of balance 31" tires for 35" new ones. I don't know if it is the size or the different tire or the balance or what but the truck is so much smoother now. I think it is probly a combo of balance and less air pressure.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
The LuvShack Garage
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side)
Posts: 30,477
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
Ron 586 is 60 years old, ask him about his ride in "GQ" cuase it rides as
good, if not better, than my Wife's 99 4wd Trailblazer. (Rough Country springs, Rough Country shocks, & 35" BFG Mud Terrain Tires on 8" rims)
__________________
Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T Last edited by LUV2XCLR8; 09-13-2007 at 03:01 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Cheboygan, MI
Posts: 998
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
I'm not sure of the springs. The suspension stuff was all PO. I'll check the body mounts tonight. Hopefully Ron will chime in. Thanks.
__________________
Tony Johnson -- '71 Blazer w/L-31 Vortec 350, SM465, NP205, performer intake, edelbrock 1406, HEI, 4" lift, Boyd EFI tank, Vintage A/C My Blazer -- |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
Springs and shock rates, look into those areas.
I've got Alcans on my off road blazer and on the occasional pavement runs, it rides really nice...no kidding. I feel your pain, years ago I put a 4" lift in a jeep I owned and could barely even drive it afterwards. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Old School, New Style
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Monroeville, Ohio
Posts: 790
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
Solid front axle and short wheel base does make it a challange to get a soft, smooth ride. It's hard to really judge a ride by everybodys comments alone. It's to bad that we couldn't get all our trucks together in one place and each test drive the bunch. Wow, that would be great wouldn't it?
Aaron
__________________
The Good: - 72 GMC Jimmy 4x4 - 307 cid / 350 th - 70 Chevy Suburban 1/2T 2wd - 454 cid /400 th - 96 Chevy Impala SS - mainly stock - 98 Chevy Tahoe LT 4x4 - all stock The Bad: - 86 Chevy Suburban 1/2T 4x4 - winter beater The Ugly: - 72 Chevy Suburban 1/2T 2wd - parts truck |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: OKC, OK
Posts: 2,365
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
Alcans are probably the nicest riding springs with BDS right behind them. I put slippers between the leafs of my truck to try and reduce some binding in the leafs. Good quality adjustable shocks will be next.
Mike
__________________
Mike Redpath |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Cheboygan, MI
Posts: 998
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
Thanks. I'm guessing slippers are just plastic/poly flats? Never seen those, but it makes sense... The shocks I keep seeing pushed are KYBs. Any good?
__________________
Tony Johnson -- '71 Blazer w/L-31 Vortec 350, SM465, NP205, performer intake, edelbrock 1406, HEI, 4" lift, Boyd EFI tank, Vintage A/C My Blazer -- |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: OKC, OK
Posts: 2,365
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
Quote:
Mike
__________________
Mike Redpath |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,229
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
you could always go air ride...
__________________
"Anybody who would paint his truck like this, would go to a minister's funeral dressed in feathers!" - Big Enis Burdett '72 Blazer Restoration Blog: http://sportchicken.blogspot.com/ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Cheboygan, MI
Posts: 998
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
They don't make a kit for our trucks. The rear setup would be ouch $1699...
__________________
Tony Johnson -- '71 Blazer w/L-31 Vortec 350, SM465, NP205, performer intake, edelbrock 1406, HEI, 4" lift, Boyd EFI tank, Vintage A/C My Blazer -- |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,229
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
board member kbracing was doing one http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200909 i think he was using 4-link in front and back...
__________________
"Anybody who would paint his truck like this, would go to a minister's funeral dressed in feathers!" - Big Enis Burdett '72 Blazer Restoration Blog: http://sportchicken.blogspot.com/ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Malvern, PA
Posts: 951
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
I have to say, a solid front axle is not that bad. I owned a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which came with a solid front axle, and it had a very nice ride. I believe Jeep used torsion bars in place of springs though. Leaf springs up front seem to offer poor ride quality. Torsion bars and coil springs are the better option. Is it possible to set up our Blazers with either of these springs or an IFS? I suppose anything is possible, its up to you as to how much time and money you want to spend.
On a side note, my dad had a 78 Bronco and that truck had a nice ride. IFS with coils.
__________________
Photo Gallery of 1972 K/5 Blazer CST |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Winters Ca. 95694
Posts: 4,843
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
Quote:
A 78 Bronco is a solid alex as are my Early Bronco's (70, 71 ,73) and thy ride great but they all have coils in the front. First thing I would check is make sure whan the PO installed everything that he greased the spring bolts and bushings then make sure he did not tighten everything down to much. I have found on several bad rifing 4X4's that a few turns backing off the hardware on the spring shackles and hanger will make a world of differance. Even the guys that say theirs ride nice check you bolts and if they are nice and tight just back them off a turn and see the differance. Kevin LFD Inc. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Cheboygan, MI
Posts: 998
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
Quote:
I guess I could remove a leaf or two on the fronts. They look like they could be one tons- 5 or 6 leafs. I just looked again last night and the springs are over axle and BIG... Didn't look too close yet. I'll try to get under there tomorrow and grab some pics. Unfortunately my time has been packed lately.
__________________
Tony Johnson -- '71 Blazer w/L-31 Vortec 350, SM465, NP205, performer intake, edelbrock 1406, HEI, 4" lift, Boyd EFI tank, Vintage A/C My Blazer -- |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Malvern, PA
Posts: 951
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
Quote:
Ahh yes... the 78 Bronco did have the solid front axle. Memory lapse there. Thanks for the correction.
__________________
Photo Gallery of 1972 K/5 Blazer CST |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
Short answer is...NO!
![]() How are your seats? I had a factory set that would kill if you drove any real distance but then again, one other set was great/comfy. ![]() You might find that installing a nice set of after-market buckets could make a world of difference too. Last edited by vtblazer; 09-15-2007 at 08:03 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Star Valley, WY
Posts: 2,038
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
could converting to a longer spring be a viable option? from what i've been reading here, those who have gone to longer front and rear springs have experienced a softer ride and better flexability; so long as the pack isn't too thick i guess. but then there is a bit of work to this conversion too.
__________________
Steve 1971 GMC Longbox. Full Roller Stroker 489 w/ FiTech EFI, Chris Straub Cam/NV4500/205/D60/14B w. Grizzly Locker and 4.11's. 2" Lift on 33's |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
Quote:
Not hard at all going to longer springs, guys in the off road sector have been doing it for years. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 894
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
Shocks are a big thing here. Keeping everything else the same, changing your shocks could help bigtime. I love my Ranchos, on my trail rig. They do not ride well on the street and will never compare to stock shocks or premium shocks for on-road damping. The Ranchos just aren't made for it. I've had the 5000 series and the 9000 series adjustables. I recommend getting the dimensions off those shocks and then purchasing a good quality set of Monroes or Bilsteins and seeing how that works for you.
__________________
-Chris Building a stripper, one part at a time: 1969 K5, 307, 3spd, 3 seats, hard top. Added Pwr Discs, Pwr Steering, Aux Battery, T-case Skid, Lighted Sidemarkers, HEI, Lock-Right Diff, ECE Class IV Hitch, 32" MT/Rs. Parts to Install: Hand Throttle, Console, Tow Hooks, Dual Horns, AM-FM, Dealer Swing-Away Tire Carrier, Gas Tank Skid. Also building a 1950 Willys CJ-3A and off-roading a 2001 Nissan Frontier on 1-Ton Portals... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 734
|
Re: Soft 4-wd? My back hurts... lol
An easy fix is weight. The Fox has 3/4 Superlift 4" springs front and rear. There's a noticeable difference top on/off. The double wall is very heav. Having my bike in the back smooths the ride a lot too.
__________________
'72 K5, known as 'the Fox.' |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|