All, This forum has been invaluable to me and, I can tell, to many others. I have sifted through the threads and could formulate a perspective, but I think it is time to pose this question again. I got an 85 and a 94. I know the 94 rides smooth. However, I love my 85 much more and I am thinking of selling my 94 and putting all the money into the 85. I want to make it an everyday driver...highway and around town. Everything is stock. Question: Is it possible to make my 85 ride smooth? Thanks everyone.
How to improve the ride? I'm asking. (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Rileylyn
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It seems fair to say I can improve the smoothness of my 85 with a better suspension, but I cannot match the smoothness offered by a coil system, such as that used in my 94.
Any suggestions as to the best choice of aftermarket complete suspension solutions would be appreciated.
Any suggestions as to the best choice of aftermarket complete suspension solutions would be appreciated.
Off Duty
SILVER Star
Not without changing to coils, which some have done.
Keep the "old school" 60 cruiser look, with late model feel.
Just a thought.
Keep the "old school" 60 cruiser look, with late model feel.
Just a thought.
60wag
SILVER Star
changing a 60 to coils is a big project. A complete OME suspension will give the best ride for the least amount of work.
The ride will be different.However with the 60s the ride and quietness can be much improved. OME suspension,new door seals,filling all old entrances and exits from the cab for wiring etc.Dura-mat type products lining the cab,smoother tires,less hang -on objects on the outside of the cruiser. Mike
This is exactly the way I want to go and my other half is concerned that it will never be comfortable enough for her.
Could someone who has fitted OME to their 60 and has experience of an 80 rate the comfort of OME on a scale from 1 being stock to 10 being an 80's coils?
Could someone who has fitted OME to their 60 and has experience of an 80 rate the comfort of OME on a scale from 1 being stock to 10 being an 80's coils?
I have a 92 that is stock and the 85 with OME.
The OME is the way to go with a 60. Talk to Kurt at Cruiser outfitters and let him know what you are trying to accomplish.
OME light springs will be a much better ride than the stock worn out springs that are on there now. I have heavies front and rear and it rides pretty stiff with no load.
I will add that you will not be able to make the ride in the 60 as smooth as the ride in the 80.....Apples and Oranges.
John
The OME is the way to go with a 60. Talk to Kurt at Cruiser outfitters and let him know what you are trying to accomplish.
OME light springs will be a much better ride than the stock worn out springs that are on there now. I have heavies front and rear and it rides pretty stiff with no load.
I will add that you will not be able to make the ride in the 60 as smooth as the ride in the 80.....Apples and Oranges.
John
Off Duty
SILVER Star
Yep.Didn't say it'd be easy or cheap. Just that it could/has been done.
I wouldn't waste the time or $$ on a 60/62 converting to coils personally, but some that have have gotten excellent results.
Agree with all of the above. A little time, money and ingenuity will take you a long way.
Just remember that it's still a 60 and never going to be "as modern" as the 80, etc.
The basic styling make a huge difference. The 80 is more aerodynamic, smoother lines. Then there's just the normal improvements that come with time.
But you can do a lot with the 60!
If she want's real smooth, dump it and buy a mercedes, porsche, or maybe a Lexus
I have BDS lift, which is discontinued. But the overall effect was noticeable. I used grease-able shackles and poly bushings. OME lift would be the best.
It will not ride like a 80 series thou.
But it will ride a lot better. Sadly when you get the new lift in, then best addition to make it ride better is carrying a lot of tools and weight.
Get a big gas tank and ride around with all the extra weight will help.
It will not ride like a 80 series thou.
But it will ride a lot better. Sadly when you get the new lift in, then best addition to make it ride better is carrying a lot of tools and weight.
Get a big gas tank and ride around with all the extra weight will help.
There are a hell of a lot more differences that make an 80 ride better than a 60 thank just "coil springs".
If you were to spend the time tuning a set of leaves you can get them just as comfortable as a coil.
If you were to spend the time tuning a set of leaves you can get them just as comfortable as a coil.
Alacan's can built to suit.
here ya go.............they seem to always take the time to listen
ome's offer a nice ride but not as soft as coils
http://www.alcanspring.com/
ome's offer a nice ride but not as soft as coils
http://www.alcanspring.com/
OME is flexy however if you deal with Alcan they can build to suit.Beleive it or not much goes into building/designing springs
put your 60 body on your 80 frame? Then your 60 will ride like your 80!!!
done deal!
done deal!
Tapage
Club 4X4 Panamá
oen of the most important things it's just get the proper spring pack ( spring rate ) for your rig and the stuff that you usually carry on ..
ntsqd
technerd
One of the prime reasons why a leaf spring's ride is not as supple as a coil spring's ride is because of the internal friction in a leaf spring. I believe that this is the reason why various OE's have used single leaf, leaf springs in passenger cars. The leaves rubbing against each other as the suspension tries to move causes a delay in suspension reaction that the riders in the vehicle feel as a slight harshness. That friction also results in the springs being somewhat self-damping. This is evident by looking at the Bilstein valve-stacks generically recommended for leaf sprung vs. coil sprung vehicles.
The commonly swapped into Mini's (& other vehicles) GM 63" long leaf springs have a good trick that can be copied. They have tip sliders at each leave's tip. Nothing new there, lots of springs do that. What they do that I've not seen done anywhere else is they have thin steel shim spacers between the leaves at the center bolt. These shims are long enough to extend beyond the U-Bolts, but not much longer than that. This results in the leaves only touching each other at the tips. There are air gaps everywhere else. Putting these springs under the rear of my Mini forced me to slightly stiffen the shock valving. That spring swap is one of the top 3 suspension mods that I've made to that truck and I am considering trying to fit a set under my 60 once the engine swap is complete.
The commonly swapped into Mini's (& other vehicles) GM 63" long leaf springs have a good trick that can be copied. They have tip sliders at each leave's tip. Nothing new there, lots of springs do that. What they do that I've not seen done anywhere else is they have thin steel shim spacers between the leaves at the center bolt. These shims are long enough to extend beyond the U-Bolts, but not much longer than that. This results in the leaves only touching each other at the tips. There are air gaps everywhere else. Putting these springs under the rear of my Mini forced me to slightly stiffen the shock valving. That spring swap is one of the top 3 suspension mods that I've made to that truck and I am considering trying to fit a set under my 60 once the engine swap is complete.
