Atrus
Full Access Member
Can anyone elaborate on what the difference is in ride quality for upgraded (Rancho or Bilstein + OME) suspension vs the stock setup?
I’ve seen comments like “rides like a Caddy”, “rides firm but not harsh” and “soooo much better”, but nothing to really explain the difference in feel over stock.
I have 45k on my OEM springs and shocks. From my perspective…
- KJ does tend to nose dive a lot on hard deceleration, and squat back on acceleration.
- Body roll doesn’t seem awful, but it could be better.
- I don’t get the oscillation typical with totally blown shocks (you know, the ones you see on the freeway where a bump takes 5 or 6 iterations for the vehicle to stop bouncing).
- On these amazing (sarcasm) pothole-and-patch-plentiful MI roads, I feel that the suspension is still fairly stiff on harsh bumps – I often wish it was softer in that regard.
- On more smooth “wallowy” bumps and transitions, the suspension feels very soft and floaty.
- I don’t seem to get too much “bucking” front to back yet like you’d have in a Wrangler.
- I do feel like the rear end wants to hop on harsh bumps too.
What do the OME/upgraded shocks really feel like? I’m considering the MD as I don’t have a winch/bumper (and no plans to add) and I am thinking the HD would make the ride that much more stiff and harsh.
I’m assuming it’s good since everyone seems to go that way and I’ve never seen a complaint, but I also want to make sure it’s very comfortable for daily commuting. I have a feeling most of the people who have upgraded run these offroad more than I manage to, and would be willing to live with a more rough ride to facilitate better performance when it’s time to play. I spend 99.9% on the road driving to Detroit and back home every day (55 miles round trip). Understandably, I don’t NEED a lift for my usage, but I’d like the vehicle to be capable when I need it to be. I DO need shocks, so I may as well improve the springs to height/ride quality while I am in there.
Additionally, is there anyone in the SE MI area that has a Rancho RSX (or Bilstein) and OME setup that could take me for a spin? I’d like to see/feel how these things are before to drop a lot of cash on the setup.
Lastly – Rancho vs Bilstein - is one shock better suited to my needs? I know I may not even be able to find the RSX’s anymore, but I can try.
I’ve seen comments like “rides like a Caddy”, “rides firm but not harsh” and “soooo much better”, but nothing to really explain the difference in feel over stock.
I have 45k on my OEM springs and shocks. From my perspective…
- KJ does tend to nose dive a lot on hard deceleration, and squat back on acceleration.
- Body roll doesn’t seem awful, but it could be better.
- I don’t get the oscillation typical with totally blown shocks (you know, the ones you see on the freeway where a bump takes 5 or 6 iterations for the vehicle to stop bouncing).
- On these amazing (sarcasm) pothole-and-patch-plentiful MI roads, I feel that the suspension is still fairly stiff on harsh bumps – I often wish it was softer in that regard.
- On more smooth “wallowy” bumps and transitions, the suspension feels very soft and floaty.
- I don’t seem to get too much “bucking” front to back yet like you’d have in a Wrangler.
- I do feel like the rear end wants to hop on harsh bumps too.
What do the OME/upgraded shocks really feel like? I’m considering the MD as I don’t have a winch/bumper (and no plans to add) and I am thinking the HD would make the ride that much more stiff and harsh.
I’m assuming it’s good since everyone seems to go that way and I’ve never seen a complaint, but I also want to make sure it’s very comfortable for daily commuting. I have a feeling most of the people who have upgraded run these offroad more than I manage to, and would be willing to live with a more rough ride to facilitate better performance when it’s time to play. I spend 99.9% on the road driving to Detroit and back home every day (55 miles round trip). Understandably, I don’t NEED a lift for my usage, but I’d like the vehicle to be capable when I need it to be. I DO need shocks, so I may as well improve the springs to height/ride quality while I am in there.
Additionally, is there anyone in the SE MI area that has a Rancho RSX (or Bilstein) and OME setup that could take me for a spin? I’d like to see/feel how these things are before to drop a lot of cash on the setup.
Lastly – Rancho vs Bilstein - is one shock better suited to my needs? I know I may not even be able to find the RSX’s anymore, but I can try.