mikeyd6789

iTrader: (1)

I know I know . I bought a lift that's called rough country and I'm complaining about it beating me to death. Its really not that bad on pavement. But anything off road (logging roads, beans fields) bounces and beats me to pieces. I've heard people say just replacing the shocks would make a huge difference. My question is , what shock to go with ? It's a 3 inch lift so I'm unsure as to what length I should use with my springs? Also I know bilstens are probably the best, but I can't justify spending 80 bucks per shock right now. Looking for something 40 to 50 each range. Any help is good help!

mikeyd6789

iTrader: (1)

Soooo....this morning I took the rough country shocks off to see what the ride was like with 0 shocks. Truck rides 40% better with nothing lol. Shocks were garb. What next???

mikesnyhere

maybe look into an adjustable like a rancho 9000 ? ,and maybe pull 1 leaf out . i was able to make an old k7 ride excellent by mixing spring and building my own spring pack . I just bought an 86 sased 4runner it has I think pro comp springs not too bad a ride 5 leafs in the stack I think 5 or 6" lift ..

mikeyd6789

iTrader: (1)

Yeah that's a thought. Everything I read keeps bringing me back to bilsten lol. I guess I'm gonna have to spend the money. Only problem is now, I don't see the 5100s for 1984 pickup. Everything is IFS. Does it matter as long as I get the length right? I don't want the older 4600s.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

the upper mounting point is different if I recall correctly

mikeyd6789

iTrader: (1)

Now I'm back where I started. Thinking sky jackers or ranchos. And I suppose nitro is the way to go. Thanks dropzone. I figured it was something like that.

osv

i would try airing the tires down first, before throwing money at shocks, because no shock is going to give you the same ride softness that you get with no shocks.

in other words, most of the reason that it's a stiff ride is probably spring-related.

thefishguy77

iTrader: (1)

Airing tires down will help to some extent at low speeds. But if you highway drive it I would watch how low you go. Also it will shorten you tire life and lower fuel mileage. Also driving on the freeway with no shocks can be dangerous this shocks are there to absorb rebound as well. So if you hit a big bump you could bounce longer than you want or lean further over than you want around a corner of making evasive maneuvers.

I am getting ready to install a OME 2" on my 85 runner. It says no Abill's are available. But I have also read that there is a ford application for bill's that has the proper upper mounting style. Now you just need to measure you total compressed length. And your total drop length to get the right shocks. Also your springs are brand new. I had an 85 pickup after high school with a Rancho 4". I took it out and wheeled it a fair amount and the springs "broke in" aka settled about an inch. The ride significantly improved after that. Keep the faith do some shock research.

mikeyd6789

iTrader: (1)

Yeah not driving the truck on hard surfaced roads without shocks lol. I actually ordered rancho 9000s yesterday all around for it. I had to buy something so might as well spend the extra money to try to get a little better ride out of it. Really i don't mind a rough ride so much, but usually when I'm in the truck I have a rifle with me. And I hate having my gun/guns bounce all over the place lol, or having to hold on to it constantly. Will update when they come in.

thefishguy77

iTrader: (1)

Let us know how it turns out.

mikeyd6789

iTrader: (1)

Ok so got the shocks in this afternoon (rancho 9000 XLs and got them on this evening. They adjust from 1 to 10 (soft to stiff). Feels like a different truck. Sharper impacts are much lighter and less dramatic and now softer bumps don't bounce me for 20 feet after I hit it. So I'd say the truck handles 50% better than it did before. Still a lot of the problem is my light flatbed. I need to figure out a functional way to add about 150 to 200 lbs to make it perfect.



Not a recent pic. But shows my rig and flatbed.

osv

you didn't tell us that it was a flatbed, lol

no wonder it's bouncing all over... what's the tire pressure?

adding weight will just slow the truck down.

mikeyd6789

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I realize that now lol. Either way the shocks I took off (RC n2.0) were terrible. I'm amazed at the difference in it. I could air down a bit. I'm not sure of exact psi currently.

mikeyd6789

iTrader: (1)

200 lbs puts my rear shackle angle almost perfect. Shackle angle sucks right now. I've heard that rough country springs are a tad short than they should be in the rear. Also 200 lbs makes it ride even better. But I'm with you with not adding weight .

osv

i wonder what it weighs with nothing on it? after you load it up for a trip, it'll probably be at the unloaded factory weight, which is sweet, you got room to move.

armor and such will weigh it down some.

thefishguy77

iTrader: (1)

What OSV said.

dirtdobberoffroad

If you use the stock main leaf and military wrap and put the R.C. lower portion on them that would think that would correct your shackle angle but I don't know if you would net you as much lift..

mikeyd6789

iTrader: (1)

I actually don't have the stock springs anymore. Wonder if I could just remove a leaf?

mikeyd6789

iTrader: (1)

Leafs and terrible shackle angle pictured below.
Another question...if I were to increase my shackle length a little, would that help angle or make it worse?

dirtdobberoffroad

wow that is horrible! drive around with 200lbs against the tail gate from what I hear R.C. springs settle a lot! Remove that leaf until it settles then add it back to lift it a little.