I recently installed the NWOR 3.5" kit and was pleased with the way the truck turned out.

My one concern is the ride, it sucks. Feels like my axles are bolted directly to my frame, especially on the freeway. I am running brand new 33" MTR's and Pro Comp ES 3000's.

Is there anyway to soften up the ride a bit? I dont know if shackles will help or ??? Will it get any better over time?

I am going to give myself whiplash.

Thanks.

85 standard truck, 3.5" full spring lift, P comp shocks, 33" MTRs, no power steering (is in the works), ugly paint, worthless brakes and clutch!

 

those springs are just stiff. They might soften up a little after some miles but it still wont ride very good. I put pro comp 4 inch springs on and there stiff but I only paid 100 bucks shipped for 2 brand new springs so im not complaining. Only way to get a better ride is go to a leaf pack like trail gear or deaver.

 

Agreed.
NWORs are known to be very harsh. I had a set of rears on my 91 Xtra cab years ago. They were cheap and worked OK. I was looking more for lift than anything else, though.
You could heat them with a torch until they start to sag . That'll soften them up.
I run a set of Old Man Emu springs because they have a nice supple ride.

 

I have the OME and I still think it is too ruff some times. mostly on big bumps and rough streets. It did get better after they broke in a little. I allso just got the sway bar disconnects and that helped a lot too. I do get a better ride out of my 1974 Bronco with the coils up front, I wonder if I have to go to coil overs and 4link on the front to get the ride sweet?

 

You can pull a leaf out of the pack. It will make it softer but you might loose some lift.

 

I softened up my old NWOR 3.5" springs by mixing in some of the stock spring leaves:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/4R_suspension.shtml#PhaseII

 

I would have to say its just what it is. I used to work at Fabtech and had my S10 lifted with their lift and it was stiff as well.
I have a 4" Procomp lift on my 85 SR5 and same thing stiff as normal with a lifted truck.
If you want a soft ride spend big bucks and go with coil overs otherwise your stuck.

 

You can get a softer ride with leaf springs. It's just not likely to happen without some fairly involved fabrication or a high end spring packs(not usually bolt on). People have reported an extremely soft ride with their rear springs moved up front, and Chevy/Ranger/Waggy springs. Can be done relatively cheap as well.

I am in the process of gathering the parts for a RuF/Ranger swap. This after thinking I got a good deal on front and rear 2 inch lift springs for 40 bucks from craigslist. They must have been NWOR because they feel like long arched sections of plate steel bolted to the frame.

 

I called NWOR and spoke to their rep (regarding some bushings I never received and their trying to blame Fed Ex even though the box was sealed and NWOR packed it, but thats a different story), he said their springs should ride like factory and I probably didnt grease the bushings enough. He doesnt think the shackles are moving like they should.

I used a lot of grease, a entire tube to be exact. Does it sound like I didnt use enough grease?

Another questions, I recently aquired a factory tilt-meter (dont know exactly what they are called, but they mount on the dash and were in a lot of early model 4runners) out of a 84 corolla 4WD wagon. I dont really want to use it, but it appears to work and is complete. Are these worth anything or did I throw away $12 at the U pull yard?

Update - aquired some 4 runner buckets for my truck. They are the same era and match the rest of the interior. Best upgrage yet, way more comfortable then the bench, especially with the harsh ride.

 

Don't take it too much to heart live and learn. I went with Downey springs, just the opposite they sagged bad. I've put all but one of my original pack into them and I'm saving the last. Next time I'll learn to weld and move the mounts for longer springs. Oh, well. Gotten good at taking rear end apart.

 

skyjacker man ..... my rides like a square wheeled wagon missin a wheel

 

Can be used:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...l#Installation

 

just let some air out of your tires. can make the world of difference.

if it worked on my Ford F250, it can work for a Toyota with SFA.