Jimmy Ride Quality

[Ptjsk]

Now that I'm driving the Jimmy more, I'm noticing a few things about the ride.

It's not too bad, but it does seem to "bounce" quite a bit on the ride.

I know it's short wheel base tends to cause some of that, but the front end especially seems quite bouncy.

I re-arched the front springs, added about 2.5" lift to it, and went with Bilstein shocks.

I just added Air Lift ride control helper bags to the rear, and they really seemed to help the stabilization in the rear.

Have any of you guy's done anything to stiffen up the front end, or is this just the normal way they ride.

Maybe a sway bar?

Other than that, it drives very well.

Also, my '72 4WD Stepper (shortbox), seems to ride much more stable, and it's got 108k original miles on it.

Pat

[davischevy]

I'm not sure you can use the term "Jimmy" and "ride quality" in the same sentence.

[davischevy]

To answer your question seriously, I think you pretty much answered your own question.

The 4wd Blazer and Jimmy will never/ have never handled like a road course machine. They have a distinct ride, some like it, some don't. I have always thought it was cool in a weird sort of way.

[truckster]

There's one road in town I always avoid in my Blazer. It's a four-lane concrete road, and the expansion joints are at just the perfect interval to make the Blazer feel like a bucking horse. It doesn't happen in my Yukon or my Z28. It's the combination of the short wheelbase and stiff springs in the Blazer, I think.

I've heard of people putting softer springs in - I can't remember the brand, but it was one of the lift kits - and different shocks to improve the ride quality. I'm not sure how much difference it makes, though.

[Ptjsk]

Yea, I did a search after I posted the question.

Looks like it's a commonality of the Blazer/Jimmy.

Oh well, just have to get used to it.

I thought someone might have more insight than I on this issue.

The air bags worked pretty well in the rear, going to have to see if they have something like it for the front.

Pat

[SeventyOne]

MY 2cents -First drive it a bunch more and don't worry until the springs settle. Then re-evaluate.

My thought and opinion: you re-arched and lifted stock springs. Does that affect spring rate? Is it the same as a stock spring? I think there might be something in here that will give you your answer.

My personally I have 6" custom alcan spring and honestly I feel like my Blazer rides pretty well.

My guess is if you don't want to mess with the spring itself some stiffer shocks could help some of the bounce.

[hemi43]

Installing a front sway bar was one of the best mods I did for my Blazer.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Ptjsk]

Originally Posted by hemi43

Installing a front sway bar was one of the best mods I did for my Blazer.
Posted via Mobile Device

Can you tell me what sway bar you used, and how you mounted it?

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by Ptjsk

Can you tell me what sway bar you used, and how you mounted it?

My truck is a 70. I used a 73-up sway bar and spring hats. I modified my original front crossmember because my frame was painted, but would recommend using a 73-up crossmember for an easy install. it really made the truck handle and behave better.

[DeadheadNM]

FWIW, I replaced the rearched original leaf springs in my K20 last year with new Alcan springs and noticed a huge improvement in ride quality.

[SeventyOne]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

FWIW, I replaced the rearched original leaf springs in my K20 last year with new Alcan springs and noticed a huge improvement in ride quality.

Yeah - Like I mentioned above I think there's something off with the spring rate on rearched springs...

[davischevy]

I've never had any luck re-arching springs, even with Teflon between the leaves, they still seem to ride rough.

[Ptjsk]

Yea, I may have to get a set of Alcan springs and see if that could be it.

It just bounces a lot on the front end.

Thanks for the information Guys.

Pat