Grad-(bump)-ed dirt-(bump)-roads...

[hankgs]

Hey guys (ladies too),
A newbie 09 Taco here; Just wondering what tried and proven ideas on how to smooooth out those graded roads with minimal suspension upgrades. I was thinking new coil overs up front with "Deaver" springs in back and upgraded rear shocks... Will that do?
:truck:

Thanks!

 

[4Rescue]

New Coil-overs up front are a great idea, but personaly I'd go OME in the back and spend some of that money you save on some other things

Cheers

Dave

 

[zolo]

yes

2.5" Sway-A-Ways all around, that would do it, Coil overs in the front, with Sway-a-way Res. shox in the back.
Either OME leafs or Deaver, Depending on if you want lift or what your looking for. You could have a leaf pack built for that matter. The Coil-Overs are adjustable so it will be a matter of how you want the rear to sit.

Now all that being said the ride will likely not be that much "smoother"
While these upgrades will improve the ride and handling. And they will be great offroad. They are designed to work and never fade.That is one of the biggest differences. They are a bit stiffer and the truck will likely "bounce" less, if at all.
They are huge and can take a prolonged amount of abuse and stay consistant, I.E. not fade and handle like junk.
Its a completely worth it up grade and Id say go for it.

 

[phatman]

if your talking those (vibrate your truck to pieces) type roads, then air down a bit. this allows the tires to conform to the washboard texture better and can mean the differance between 25 and 55 mph.

 

[Overland Hadley]

I would say OME all the way round, and air down the tires some.
That will help smooth things out on rough roads.

 

[Applejack]

I'd say, don't leave the pavement...........J/K:sombrero:.

 

[Jacket]

if your talking those (vibrate your truck to pieces) type roads, then air down a bit.

x2

If you want a softer ride on washboard roads, just air down a bit ~ 20-25 psi. You'll save yourself a grand or more in suspension costs....

 

[richard cabesa]

Another ADVer, Howdy Hank :bike_rider:

The airing down helps tons. Right now, until I get the truck and accesories dialed in to final weight, I've only done a 2" spacer on the front and 1-1/2" add a leafs with 5100's in the rear. Once everything else is done then I'll determine what changes might need to be made to suspension.

So for now, air down to 20 psi and gas it!!! :smiley_drive:

 

[7wt]

The biggest improvement on washboard roads on my truck came from removing the sway bar. This let the front wheels work on their own rather than being pulled around by the other.

If you are running a lot of washboard roads the I would suggest a coil over over the OME's. Nothing wrong with the OME's but the coil overs have a lot more oil capacity so they will fade less and stay cooler longer. I didn't think that it really made that much of a difference but it does. I went from after market Bilstein HD shocks to Donahoes and the difference was night and day. The HD's would get a little soft and mushy after half an hour of blazing down washboards in the desert. The Donahoes could last all day.

 

[devinsixtyseven]

Air down times eleventybillion :elkgrin:. Makes about 20-30mph worth of difference.

Just mind you check the sidewalls for heat...the combination of speed and low pressure will destroy a tire, so the lower you go, the slower you go as well.

For our oft-loaded vehicles, a large-volume damper and a wide diameter spring will help support and control the weight much better for extended driving on rough roads at relative speed (southern Maze exit from Dollhouse comes to mind, also from Moab to Chicken Corners and back, and Arches to the highway via 4WD Road/Tower Arch Road/Sal Valley Road) but that is a completely different discussion...

-Sean

 

[Schattenjager]

OME is a great choice for smoothing the rough. If you have ever driven in Australia, then you know the real meaning of 'corrugated' roads. Nothing but a hovercraft will eliminate the vibs, but good tires and an Old Man Emu suspension will go a long way toward making them more comfortable.

 

[hankgs]

Air down times eleventybillion :elkgrin:. Makes about 20-30mph worth of difference.

Sal Valley Road) but that is a completely different discussion...

-Sean

Thanks for all the replies/advice; I WAS actually thinking of SALINE VALLEY RD!!! Sounds like airing down will solve problems until I can convince my wife that I need coil overs and Deavers...I guess I'll have to drive with fully inflated tires until she "gets it"!

Hey to ******** Cabasa from ADVRIDERS...worlds collide!

 

[7wt]

Sounds like airing down will solve problems until I can convince my wife that I need coil overs and Deavers...I guess I'll have to drive with fully inflated tires until she "gets it"!

Needing it starts with believing it!

 

[Overland Hadley]

Thanks for all the replies/advice; I WAS actually thinking of SALINE VALLEY RD!!! Sounds like airing down will solve problems until I can convince my wife that I need coil overs and Deavers...I guess I'll have to drive with fully inflated tires until she "gets it"!

Take your wife for a nice long drive, then maybe she will tell you that you need to upgrade.

 

[Layonnn]

OME suspension
Airing down to around 20-25psi
Timbren bump stops