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Ride Quality Options?

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Offline fuzzy1

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Ride Quality Options?
« on: March 04, 2009, 06:58:14 PM »
I'm looking into improving my Trackers ride quality. Ive considered going to the OME 1-1.5" spring strut shock combo. Does this require getting the camber bolts to get proper camber? How good does this setup work for DD? Mainly my goal is to improve it's manners on the road, ie highway bridge joints that are always pot-holed. Are there other options like just shock/strut combos that would give me considerably better ride w/out going into springs/lift too? I plan on going to a bit wider rim (prolly 7") & 235/75r15 tires. Just looking for some options, thanks.

Fuzz
'97 Sidekick Sport 1" spacer lift 225/75R16 Cooper AT's. Pioneer Sound, 14" Grant Steering Wheel.Otherwise mostly stock
'96 Tracker 1.6l 16v 3spd Auto 4x4 85k - 1 1/2" OME Lift BFG 235/75 AT's on Ion Alloy 15x7's - Pioneer Sound - Custom Installed Hydraulic Drivers Seat (Sold)

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Offline Cuthulu

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Re: Ride Quality Options?
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2009, 08:48:02 PM »
OME is the way to go for sure.  I commute a little over 100 miles daily and mine are great.  I have the 1.5" OME and Firestone destination AT 30's and I get 27mpg on average.  I also put in a K&N which helped the MPG by about 3 and a little more power on hills.

 The other thing you may want to do but you don't see much is put in sound proofing.  It is so nice for commuting and all of the little breezes that I used to feel in a strong wind are gone.  Much warmer and much less dust on the trail.  Alot of people use dynamat for it but if you shop around there are knock off brands that do pretty well for alot less money.

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Offline locjaw

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Re: Ride Quality Options?
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2009, 08:05:16 AM »
one thing that people often miss is the tire inflation factor. i love going to these tire stores and see them fill the tire to the tires recommended 35 psi. i get all pissy with them and tell them " do you think theres a reason for manufactures to put a sticker on a car recommending tire pressure, or do they do it just for fun??? now get your ass out there and let them down to the recommedation". People dont realize that suzukis are uncommonly light, thats why you really need to pay attention to the sticker on the drivers door jamb. when your running oversized tires you can even go lower than the recommendation;)
1995 Sidekick SAS'd "Trail Slayer"
1993 4 door lifted "Road Warrior"
1995 4 door stocker "CreamPuff"

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Offline fuzzy1

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Re: Ride Quality Options?
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2009, 03:56:47 PM »
Thanks for replies. Cuthulu, did you need to get the camber bolts to align it right afterwards? Anyone know of stock length strut/shock combo that would help w/out any lift?  Has El-cheapo on it now & it's just plain rude on the highways & backroads around here.  & Yeah locjaw, I'm also hoping the higher sidewall on 235/75's will help some as well. Any other input?

Fuzz
'97 Sidekick Sport 1" spacer lift 225/75R16 Cooper AT's. Pioneer Sound, 14" Grant Steering Wheel.Otherwise mostly stock
'96 Tracker 1.6l 16v 3spd Auto 4x4 85k - 1 1/2" OME Lift BFG 235/75 AT's on Ion Alloy 15x7's - Pioneer Sound - Custom Installed Hydraulic Drivers Seat (Sold)

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Offline Lindenmooch

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Re: Ride Quality Options?
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2009, 04:12:28 PM »
one thing that people often miss is the tire inflation factor. i love going to these tire stores and see them fill the tire to the tires recommended 35 psi. i get all pissy with them and tell them " do you think theres a reason for manufactures to put a sticker on a car recommending tire pressure, or do they do it just for fun??? now get your ass out there and let them down to the recommedation". People dont realize that suzukis are uncommonly light, thats why you really need to pay attention to the sticker on the drivers door jamb. when your running oversized tires you can even go lower than the recommendation;)


I would be careful though....because you can run into stability issues if your pressure is too low.   I'd hate to hear that your rolled your zuk because you were searching for a more comfy ride.

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Offline Jookycola

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Re: Ride Quality Options?
« Reply #5 on: March 18, 2009, 07:42:13 PM »
What would guys suggest as a good all around psi for a 2door running 235/75/r-15 tires?  I actually went 3 more puonds over the suggested psi to compensate.  Should i have gone 3 under?
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Offline fuzzy1

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Re: Ride Quality Options?
« Reply #6 on: March 18, 2009, 08:48:50 PM »
That depends alot on preference. More pressure = stiffer ride but generally better mpg. Less = softer but less mpg. Both provided you aren't way over or under inflated & cause uneven wear. Ofc that's only for road driving, offroad aired down all that = nada. Then it's less is more, as long as your tire stays seated!! Hence the wonders of beadlocks. I did let a few pounds out of my stock tires & it helped soften it up some. Pretty much decided I'm gonna go with the OME kit though.

Fuzz
'97 Sidekick Sport 1" spacer lift 225/75R16 Cooper AT's. Pioneer Sound, 14" Grant Steering Wheel.Otherwise mostly stock
'96 Tracker 1.6l 16v 3spd Auto 4x4 85k - 1 1/2" OME Lift BFG 235/75 AT's on Ion Alloy 15x7's - Pioneer Sound - Custom Installed Hydraulic Drivers Seat (Sold)

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Offline hegemon

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Re: Ride Quality Options?
« Reply #7 on: March 19, 2009, 06:28:39 AM »
I recently put 235/75/r-15 on my 2 door,  I started off with the original tire recommended pressure around 32psi.  Which was way to high, was really squirrelly  on the road, and even worse in the snow.  I brought them down to 24psi, which seems to ride pretty nice. I still may go a little lower.

The 2dr is so light, I had a slow leak in one of my tires, and it looked the tiniest bit more squished then the other tires, when I check the pressure, there wasn't even enough to measure on the gauge, I was basically driving around with a flat tire, and couldn't even tell, as there wasn't enough weight to squish to radial tires.

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Offline Drone637

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Re: Ride Quality Options?
« Reply #8 on: March 19, 2009, 10:19:45 AM »
I was basically driving around with a flat tire, and couldn't even tell, as there wasn't enough weight to squish to radial tires.

Run flat tires, and you didn't even have to pay extra.  :D
96 Geo Tracker, x-SJ-410,  x-White Rabbit, x-Project Trouble
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