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Does leveling help the ride?

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Offline WVzuk

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Does leveling help the ride?
« on: January 02, 2018, 05:20:13 PM »
I have a 94 4door kick with a 3" Zukination lift.  I made my own steel winch bumper and added a 9500 lb winch with synthetic rope.  I vaguely remember the front bumper and winch weighing a combined 130-140lbs.  Something like that.  I do have a homemade steel bumper in the back but its only like 14 gauge and isn't very heavy.  Let's say 25-30 lbs.  Now the 30" spare tire adds some more weight to the rear as well .  I guess maybe 15-20lbs more than the stock one?  Plus I keep like 50lbs lbs of tools and tow straps, chains, etc. in the rear hatch.  I'm thinking this should pretty well even out the weight distribution.  However, the front sits 1.25 inches lower than the rear and the truck just feels a little nose heavy to me.  Sometimes it just feels like the rear is a little too light on traction in 2 wheel drive and it feels like it needs a little more weight on it to settle it.  The truck doesn't ride bad, but I guess we all are just trying to make little improvements where we see the opportunity.

 I was thinking of cutting and correcting the angle of the lower spring cups on the A arms.  I read this from, I think either BRDHUNTER or FORDEM on this forum but I can't find the write up.  This was said to raise the front about 1". 

I am just wondering if leveling the front will help distribute weight onto the rear a bit, thus helping the ride and rear traction.
1994 4dr Sidekick: 3inch Zukination lift, 30x9.50 mud tires, snorkel, ARB rear locker, homemade bumpers

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Online fordem

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Re: Does leveling help the ride?
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2018, 06:35:41 AM »
BRDHNTR is the fab wizard not me ...

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/build-diaries-how-to-diy/tracker-2x4-rockers-frnt-bmper-4-dr-sprngs-lwered-frnt-diff-$30-steel-frnt-diff/15/

For what it's worth, I don't think the "attitude" of the vehicle plays that much of a part in the way it rides - mind you - I am aware that many manufacturers design a certain amount of "rake" into their vehicles, but the reason is related to weight transfer under braking rather than ride - in general, the ride is going to be more impacted by having significant amounts of weight at the extreme end (front or back) of the vehicle.

I've been "mulling" the idea of a winch & bumper for some time now, but, because I know how the vehicle will respond when that much weight is added that far ahead of the wheels - I suspect that during this year I will get around to fitting "winch capable" bumpers, but not necessarily winches.
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny