Braineack

iTrader: (62)

if you disagree with the fallacy stated, then you DO think anything is better than stock and you contridicted yourself by saying your stock suspension rode quite nice.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

My non-blown stock suspension was not bad.

Most have old worn out and blown suspension though, in which case the ricelands probably do handle and drive better

OllieG843

iTrader: (1)

I'm just saying, for what you pay, they're a decent option for replacement. You gain some adjustability, and they ride nice.

OllieG843

iTrader: (1)

I actually prefer to use a 4x4 post. Much more solid in corners.

thenuge26

iTrader: (2)

Ah but see that doesn't have the reliability of Joe's solid aluminum dampers. The 4x4 is also more unsprung weight.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Joe's dampeners are not alum.

They are cast iron from china.

Get it right.

thenuge26

iTrader: (2)

Oh I'm talking about the iR-type JDM VTAK S Sport version. Its billet aluminum for less unsprung weight.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. I need to get on that patent application ASAP.

And they're steel, not aluminum or iron. Quality Chinese steel, made from no more than 20% recycled radioactive waste.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

the toxic waste is the magic ingredient in the flawless dampening

triple88a

iTrader: (2)

Err wrong meaning of fallacy, had to look that up.

Full_Tilt_Boogie

iTrader: (1)

In all seriousness, I bet people would buy adjustable damper eleminators, if they allow you to slam your car.
Ive seen people drive around with no springs, so theyre probably stupid enough to do anything.

Maybe F500 style rubber bushing suspension? They probably wouldnt notice the difference since theyre always on the bumpstops anyway.

Mazduh

The thread that never dies...

DaveC

If you're over 40 you probably remember so-called air shocks. They were shocks with some kind of adjustable air spring built in. Add air from any tire hose and the back of your Chevelle would rise up in a very stylish way.

Anyway.... I'm thinking something along those lines that completely eliminates the coil springs. An on board air compressor would let you adjust ride height all day long, but wouldn't be necessary. Not as awesome as hydraulics, but you could buy a set for $700 and install them in your parents driveway.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Amusingly, this exact thing was standard equipment on certain packages of the Grand Marquis / Town Car during the 2000s. It has a compressor under the hood, and a tilt-switch which aims to achieve a level ride under all load conditions, no matter how many dead hookers you have in the trunk.

The system works so well that you can buy a complete retrofit kit from several vendors to remove it entirely and replace it with the conventional shock/spring package from the base-model Crown Vic.

TorqueZombie

iTrader: (6)

Glad I'm not the only one shaking my head at these kids. I actually miss the "slam it" croud from 10-15yrs ago that used bags so they could be herra frush mad low dawg and stuff while still not being terrified of a speed bump. Have kids gotten dumber? I know most of us may have done things in our youth that we would not dare do now. Experience teaches some stuff. I just think all 19yr olds considered they're getting dumber at dumb things.

Mazduh

But it's static yo! Ride or die!

triple88a

iTrader: (2)

4-2500lb. New Style DeNominator II Air Bags Air Springs (Buy 2 Get 2 Free Special) + $39 shiping 1/2" Ports <a href="http://www.airbagit.com/v/techzone/airbag-install.pdf">Click Instructions!</a>

Like a boss.

thenuge26

iTrader: (2)

My '96 Lincoln Mk VIII luckily had the air system removed and replaced with a shock/spring setup by the PO.

flounder

I think the coil spring suspension rode better too.

The problem with that setup, was that over time the bags would start to leak and the pump would run continuously to try and maintain proper ride height and burn out. Due to the outrageous cost of replacing the air ride suspension by itself, most were neglected until it got to the point of burning out the pump, then you're looking at close to $2g's to repair it all.

There was also the issue of having to manually disable the air ride before lifting the vehicle on a hoist. You had to pop the trunk and flick the switch off before lifting it. Not a big deal in itself, but most people didn't have a clue this was necessary and consequently did a lot of damage to the suspension when you lowered the vehicle back to the ground. I could honestly rant about this for at least two more paragraphs but I'll stop now.

On to my next gripe-Nivomat shocks and electronic shocks/struts. When you work on cars for a living, you start to see common trends in how car companies are sticking it to the average car owner.

Say you have a Chrysler Pacifica that needs new shocks. You go the local autozone and figure you'll be dropping a hundred bucks or so on a nice pair of new rear shocks. Not on this one, try $500 a piece. Apparently, these nivomat shocks also serve to support the weight of the vehicle as well, so your out a cool grand for a couple shocks.

Chevy uses electronically controlled shocks and struts on some of their higher end trucks(z55 suspension) and most Cadillac's. Replacing a set of 4 on your suburban will set you back over two grand, and most will need replacing at around 60-70k miles because they start to leak. If you don't have the fancy z55 suspension, your probably looking at around $400 for the set, installed.

The sad thing is that they ride almost identical. If you drove on both suspensions back to back, you probably couldn't tell a difference.

One more...Remember when most cars rode around on 14-16" wheels/tires? You could buy a new set of tires for around $300-$400, now the average size wheel on a new car is 18", most trucks roll on 20-22" stock. Average cost for a set of tires on a newer ford explorer? about $750-$900.

Now get off my lawn you damn kids! end.

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

Ah, my 95 Caprice Classic wagon had a load-levelling system. It did need to be repaired when we got the car in 2006 (with 56,000 miles), but my favorite mechanic made it work for not much, and it's worked since. Still going strong hauling a friend's drum kit to and from gigs.

I have to say, it was an epic vehicle. It had the tow package, which meant it had the 95' Vette LT1 (albeit with slightly different cams). It has surprised many a kraut-chuffing Beemer off the line. It hauled 6 grown adults, two kids in car seats, the dog, two snow sleds, and associated snow gear to a Sno Park on Mt Hood with no issues.

And it was largggee. We were at a trailhead, having recently completed our hike, when a couple parked next to us in their Subaru Outback wagon. You know, pretty much the exact couple that is depicted on honeymoon adventures in the commercials for Outback wagons. The look on their face when they looked at our vehicle, looked at their vehicle, realized ours was more than 3 feet longer ... priceless.

Edit - and air shocks ... I remember air shocks. A college roommate had them on his 73 Mach 1. And then, later, on his 78 Trans Am. Take what you will from his vehicles of choice in our college years of the late 80's.