1st gen ride quality?

[stinkypoop]

My 1st gen rides kinda rough. bridge expansion joints, and uneven pavement gives my spine a good jolt. it also feels a bit unstable when I hit a serious bump at highway speeds. not comfortable. at first, it was fun and truck-like. made me feel like a man, after all these years of driving honda civics and other small cars.

Now, the honeymoon is over, its been 3 months since I bought her. Im getting a bit tired of the jarring ride. I have skyjacker shocks that are fairly new, and spring helpers on the rear springs. Both installed by previous owner. Would either of these items result in a stiffer ride? Im guessing this is a common ailment and dilemma, and so has a common resolution?

Has anyone replaced the rear leaf springs with OEM springs - if so where do you get them, aside from toyota?

 

[truck]

You can also lower the tire pressure a bit to take the jolt out some. My one friend noticed the exact thing while my other friend said, "Rides better than I thought it would."


Have you considered coil-overs? or do you have them in your skyjackers?

 

[stinkypoop]

Ive been debating to myself whether Im just being too picky, or if the ride quality really is harsh, and I cant decide. But I thought Id check out the spring helpers and what they could cause.

No coil overs, but Im not opposed to it, if it'll help things appreciably. Just plain white skyjacker shocks. I really suspect the spring helpers.

 

[fourwd1]

The ride is a bit harsh to begin with, but the add-a-leafs do make it worse.

 

[truck]

I checked my psi today, 30 on the LF and 27 on the RF. I lowered both to 27, and the ride is much more calm now.

I put coil-overs on the wife's mini-van, and it acts a lot better. Loaded or unloaded. There is a little push in the corners, and the back passengers do complain of a wee 'sickness'- but I have yet to pin it definitively on the shocks, tho'.

 

[Keefus197]

I am with you on the ride issues. I bought my 87 about 4 months and felt like a manly man with the ride but now it is getting a little old. My steering bugs me now. It feels sloppy and loose. Anyone have suggestions on tightening it?

 

[stinkypoop]

yeah, my steering is annoyingly loose as well. I suppose the only thing for it is to replace it with a new box?

 

[fourwd1]

Remove the AALs if you haven't done it yet, the ride will get better.

As for the steering, is it solid axle or IFS? each has it's own problems.

 

[4Runnin Eddie]

The answer is simple" GET A BRAND NEW TRUCK " if you cant handle a little rough. I dont think theres a 1st Gen. 4Runner out there thats not a little rough or makes noise or the streering is a lil lose unless they are MINT condition. I bought my 4 runner 3 months ago and I was a man before it and still am a man and always will be a man, you know what I mean man ?

 

[Keefus197]

Remove the AALs if you haven't done it yet, the ride will get better.

As for the steering, is it solid axle or IFS? each has it's own problems.

mine is an IFS. I was thinking about putting a new lift kit on it. Do you think that would help?

 

[stinkypoop]

Remove the AALs if you haven't done it yet, the ride will get better.

As for the steering, is it solid axle or IFS? each has it's own problems.

What is the AAL? spring helpers?

Mine is IFS.

 

[stinkypoop]

The answer is simple" GET A BRAND NEW TRUCK " if you cant handle a little rough. I dont think theres a 1st Gen. 4Runner out there thats not a little rough or makes noise or the streering is a lil lose unless they are MINT condition. I bought my 4 runner 3 months ago and I was a man before it and still am a man and always will be a man, you know what I mean man ?

Thanks Eddie, but I realize this and said so at the top of my original post. Im sorry Im not as tough and manly as you are. Its not a question of "bucking up" and living through it; it feels unstable. It has become a question of safety for me. Ride quality on an older vehicle is bound to suffer somewhat, but when it reaches into instability, something is wrong. Im trying to determine the best starting point for repairs. Getting a new truck is not an option, but thanks for your helpful advice.

 

[4Runnin Eddie]

Your welcome thats why I am here to help:happy bda .

 

[wheel]

Add-A-Leaf (AAL)
One of the most common ways people have lifted the rear of their truck in the past is by using an add-a-leaf. Basically it is an additional strip of metal (leaf) that is placed in your leaf pack. It is arched more and causes the rest of your leafs to arch more, providing lift. On the downside an AAL will stiffen your ride (the higher the AAL the stiffer) and decrease suspension flex. T

 

[MT4runner]

1st gens are rough ridin'. Skyjacker has "softride" rear leafs are supposed to help a lot. if you have like 31's on heavier duty torsion bars help. like a 26mm over the 22mm stock. also the leafs are 1 inch taller than stock, so it can help with the infamous 1st gen rear sag.

 

[driftertim]

check out what I got me today

rides like a Lexus, but its Slow as balls.

 

[zombie]

Looking good there, nice and straight. Local truck?