I've got an 89 Regular cab 4x4 with a 4" skyjacker lift (diff drop front, blocks in the rear) 3" body lift and 35x12.5 tires. (I will be swapping to 33x11.5 snows soon)

This is how I bought the truck, last spring, it's primary use is as my winter daily driver. I do take the truck on the occasional trail in the summer but most of it's "abuse" is for driving through snow on unplowed fields and roads.

The suspension has always been a bit stiff but since it's become colder it's become REALLY bad. On really cold days the rear suspension feels like it's hard mounted. One drive to work it felt like the rear end was getting airborn off of ever bump in the road, I got out of the truck and climbed up onto the tail gate and couldn't even compress the suspension jumping up and down.

It's much better on days above freezing but even still... not good.

I'm not entirely sure what dampers it has in the rear now (I'm guessing they came with the skyjacker kit, they're white bodies with black boots) but I'd venture a guess that they're the culprit. I wouldn't mind upgrading the springs and getting rid of the blocks in the rear either, I've got no immediate plans to change the ride height as it is it's perfect for my needs and perfectly level. At most I ever haul 2-300lbs in the back and even that is on rare occasion and I don't tow anything either.

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A rear suspension this stiff isn't doing me any favors, I'm obviously losing on-road traction, I can't imagine it's any good for off-road flex, and it sure as hell isn't comfortable. I haven't seen too much information posted here for winter specific setups but if you know of any good threads I'd love to read them.

Do you think simply changing the dampers would solve this issue? if so what do you recommend? if not what do you recommend for springs?

Thanks.

 

Start by ripping off that SJ crap. Those are mall crawler lifts and useless.

Then get our 2" lift.

:wabbit2:

 

oh I know... I've got list of things on the truck that need to be fixed before I start tackling things that "work" but aren't ideal.

poking around on your site I noticed you carry both long travel Bilsteins as well as fox shocks. I've been happy with Bilsteins on my other cars, never used Fox. Are either of these any good for winter use. it doesn't look like either of them use boots, which is disconcerting since they'll see a lot of salt during road travel.

 

Are you riding on the bumpstops?
Sounds like you are.
New torsion bars, leaf springs and shocks all around will make it feel like you're driving on a cloud.
I did a chevy leaf swap, works amazing, leveled it out with a bit of crank of the torsion bars. My trucks rides infinitely better now.

 

Nope, not even close to the bumpstops...



it only becomes immovable when it's below freezing... above freezing and I start to get normal travel but it's still pretty stiff.

What do you recommend for dampers?

 

Maybe it is your shocks?? that are causing most of the issue. I think wabfab's stuff comes with boots unless it's listed they don't.

 

That's what I'm thinking, I can't imagine the old leafs that are on the truck now are getting harder with age...

I'm mostly looking for replacement suggestions that will fit with my lift and work well for winter condition.