Bought A Second Gen 2.5; Please Explain/ Educate > Adjustable Ride Vs. Non-Adjustable

cr4x4cruiser

cr4x4cruiser

Observer
Bought A Second Gen 2.5; Please Explain/ Educate > Adjustable Ride Vs. Non-Adjustable

We couldn't pass up a deal on a '98 SR, w/ 110,000 miles.
It's now sitting alongside our '99 SR, which has 112,000 miles.

The '99 rolls down the road just fine, nice and tight.
The '98 is an absolute turd, when it comes to the ride, as if the shocks are - 100% - wiped out... hit the brakes and it nose-dives.

The '99 does NOT have the Adjustable Ride System, and has KYB Gas-A-Just Shocks [White w/ Red label / no idea at what setting].
The '98 DOES have the Adjustable Ride System, and everything appears [visually] to be intact.

The '99 now has a [2"] body lift and larger/ taller tires, but rides no different from stock fitment [no suspension alteration].
The '98 is completely stock.

The future roads for these two vehicles will be in Costa Rica... dirt/ gravel [60%], so-so asphalt [20%], good asphalt [20%].
Reliabilty is key, ride is secondary... though both have air-ride seats up front, and other passengers will have to suck it up.

Is it possible the Adjustable Ride System is not functioning properly?
Is it likely the shocks are worn out?

Keep 'em stock?
Change out to simple shocks?

Any/ all input would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks,

- Wm.
 
cr4x4cruiser

cr4x4cruiser

Observer
J-N-M,

Yeah, I saw ALL of those posts...

But they are not really giving up much information... such as, are they even working properly?

How do I know if the system is working properly?

I'll bet there are folks here that know how to tell if the system is operating normally and properly.

Your first advisement did nothing to address my inquiry... the second is wanting for more, hence my inquiry.

I know how to search for such... I simply am wanting for people with first-hand - helpful - knowledge to address me.

Muchas gracias...
 
JohnnyBfromPeoria

JohnnyBfromPeoria

I'm Getting Around To It
To check to see if the adjusters are working, have the ignition "on" and have an assistant move the switch between soft-medium-hard while you listen at each wheel (engine "off"). You should hear a soft noise as the actuator on top of each shock moves the adjuster built in to the top of the shock. As long as those move, the system works.

My bet is that the shocks are just plain beat/used up. Dead give away is if any of them show signs of having leaked oil. Even on the softest setting, the truck's bumper should not bounce when you jump on it.

You can either spend the big bucks and get a set through a dealer (only place they are available) or replace them with non-adjustable shocks. KYB Gas-A-Just shocks are not adjustable, they just have internal valving that sort of compensates for smaller or larger bumps.

Make sense?

John B.
 
Toasty

Toasty

Looking for that thing i just had in my hand...
You keep saying air ride seats, did you install some aftermarket bases? 92-93 SR had a hydraulic suspension seat option that some of us have swapped into our later models but air ride is a first. Pics? I've seen some neat air seats in F-550's from the 90's that look like they wouldn't be much work to swap.
 
plh

plh

Explorer
your 17 year old shocks are mostlikely shot. Save the coin and replace with KYB Gas-A-Just.
 
cr4x4cruiser

cr4x4cruiser

Observer
Johnny,

Thank you for the excellent tutorial! That is exactly what I was wanting for... thank you, very much!


Toasty,

My error... the seats ARE the factory Montero seats, from earlier editions ["bouncy seats"]... I call 'em "air-ride" because I'm an idiot. Then again, my *** tells me I'm riding on clouds. So...


plh,

Thank you... keep it simple... I am positive we will be heading down this exact path.
 
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