Stiffer Springs?

[Mediamonkey11]

Hey y'all,

I converted using the Monroe 4WD Conversion to coil springs.

My question is if stiffer springs are available, I over the weekend had 7 people in the truck on a long drive and was not pleased with how it handled the weight, I'd also like it if it held the tongue weight of a trailer better. Plus, if I tow something with the truck loaded I have a feeling it'd be terrible! I even had a total of 8 for a short bit on the same night and it just didn't seem confident.

The front seems perfectly stiff enough, have the stock Tbars cranked and 2" Spacers in the rear.

Any possibilities out there?

 

[KWT2000]

Not aware of stiffer springs, did seem bouncy in the rear or just sitting low???

What ply tires are you running?

I don't think stiffer springs will do what your hoping to solve, heavier tires and upgraded sway bar / bushings, and better rear shocks, plus a steering stabilizer... That is what I did to my 97 and am working on my 02,

Even lifted it was much more secure and confident and speeds when loaded

 

[Mediamonkey11]

Thank you for those questions as I do believe clarification is needed.

I run 8ply load range D tires. The only time I have felt rear end washyness commonly attributed to lower than needed stiffness of tire sidewall was when towing an improperly loaded car trailer and I got Uber sway of death, but that was due to the inability to achieve adequate tongue weight, not due to sidewall thickness...

My issue was with how low it sat and dipped over bumps and dips in the road, essentially bottoming out. Shocks and sway are nicely in control, although I'm not opposed to stiffening up the sway bar so suggestions there would be welcome, however that is not the source of my complaint.

I know there is an air helper spring set available that sits inside the coil springs, has anyone ever used it?

 

[mindgame]

If there is a will... There is Always a way

It all depends on your budget...

There are off road "adjustable" coilovers from King/Radflo to name a few.. I currently have 2.5 coilovers which are a tad stiff for my taste. I would suggest 2". If you need more preload, you can just crank it up to your taste with the handy dandy tool...

 

[KWT2000]

Ok I get the problem now it is strictly load carrying ability.

I wonder if the Monroe springs are rated lower than factory springs? And if xlt vs EB or 4.6 vs 5.4 maybe a HD version is offered.

I'm gonna research and see what I come up with.

As for sway bars just upgrading to poly bushings will make a big difference as will a steering stabilizer

 

[Mediamonkey11]

Hmm I thought steering stabilizers were only for solid axle rigs, I'd be down for that if I could! Would make towing better


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jbanks]

I'm with you on the Monroe shocks being weak. I used the 90006 kit for the navigator and I think they are probably weaker than the 90010 kit. See this thread where I posted a pic of the Navigator towing a 32ft travel trailer:

http://www.expeditionforum.com/f72/photos-trailer-s-you-tow-your-expedition-11135/index9.html#post180144

I get it riding low when fully loaded with people or crap too.

I was thinking about the helper airbags. I have a new set in the box that I bought for another truck. I figured I could make them work on the Navigator but have not tried yet.

 

[KWT2000]

i cant find any spring rates or heavy duty coil springs listed for the expy's...

i did find firestone helper bags that go inside the coil spring.

i don't think it would take much since you already had an air compressor at one time to wire it up with a switch and regulator and control it from the driver seat

which may be over kill but neat at the same time i think 20-30 psi would hold up nicely when loaded and not effect ride quality when empty

here is a link to the steering stabilizer i used on mine i just added a shock boot to it

http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/sh...-hk-lorem-ipsum-dolor-sit-amet.html?c=391&i=1

 

[KWT2000]

i came across these coil overs to help with load carrying ability for the rear of the 1st gens didn't know if thought of them or heard of them

Monroe Sensa-Trac 58633 - Shock Absorbers | O'Reilly Auto Parts

 

[Mojave Jack]

I agree with you, I too switched to the monroe kit and the rear springs even with 2" aluminum spacers underneath them, they seem soft, running the black monroe shocks back there too: i also have those firestone coil rite blue air bags that go into the rear spring, just haven't tried them yet partly due to how they might work with the spacers installed...I do want Rancho 9000's back there for sure soon, also, have you thought about calling Mac's Springs in San Bernardino, or in Century Spring online? I haven't either, but was going to try the 9000s first...good luck

 

[Mattnj]

Take a look at the Moog Cargo Coils. They are designed to work for vehicles that carry a lot of weight or tow. They are also progressive rate springs to keep a nice ride. The part number would be CC80841. Cheapest I was able to find was at Summit Racing for $69.97.

 

[BigAl]

Moogs & Ranchos

I did the rear airbag conversion to Moog 80841 and Rancho 5000's. I like the stiffer ride but it still dropped with a load in the cargo the other day. Nothing major but not as level as the airbags. Either way, I bought mine on Rockauto and it was cheaper than the "conversion kits".