Makin the Mrs. happy with the suspension..

[elum]

My wife prefers the ride of the soon to be sold 2003 Nissan Frontier to the 1996 LX450 we just got. I'm quite sure this has something to do with have a solid axle in front.

I'm wondering if I could use this to justify getting an OME suspension before Christmas?

 

[IdahoDoug]

I'm thinking you'll have to ask Mrs. Happy. What is this - The Great Carnak meets Dear Abbey???!!


DougM

 

[Rich]

Given that the OME springs are stiffer than stock springs, do not expect the resulting on pavement ride to be smoother.

 

[alaskacruiser]

What does she not like about the ride? If it is the side-to-side motion most often encountered on bumps during freeway driving, that is due to the softer shocks on the LX and can be solved by replacing the shocks with LC shocks or others, or reduced by changing to a tire with a stiffer sidewall (good excuse to get bigger tires!)

 

[Rich]

I'm guessing she doesn't like the bumptity bumpity bump one experiences with a solid front axle. A small price to pay in my opinion for the strength and durability of a solid axle off road.

 

[lovetoski]

Try reducing tire pressure. Might not work, but it's free...

...and if it works...you get to keep the truck.

Or, your wife can talk to mine - who isn't a "rough/tough" girl by any means, but prefers a solid ride, since it is rugged, and the truck will take anything that comes it's way.

 

[Rich]

First time wife and I went offroading in our 97 Cruiser she said "We need to install a lift and bigger tires." !!!

 

[elum]

First time wife and I went offroading in our 97 Cruiser she said "We need to install a lift and bigger tires." !!!

I'm hoping mine will say that as well when I get back from my deployment!

 

[elum]

I'm quite sure it's the bumpity bump but I'll talk with her and try to make everything gravy...

 

[Romer]

Actually, my wife commented how much nicer it ran on the road after the OME lift. She didn't like the way it moved around corners.

 

[Grouseman]

Elum,

How many miles on your truck? I just bought one with 130K and it rode pretty rough. Called Mr. Cdan and just got replacement shocks and that made a hell of a differance in the ride. I would try that first.... I wanted a nice ride for the highway too.

SS

 

[Gumby]

My OME springs made the ride better, but the OME shocks went way back the other way.

 

[clarkrw3]

My wife told me to lift it and put tires on it as soon as possible because she hates how woosy they look in stock form!! She said she doen't want to be seen in a soccer mom truck......

so first round lift, sliders, bumpers, and tires

what a women

After that she was reading through my list of stages of mods and she said what is the stage 4 with a supercharger??? hmmm hmmm well.....

That thing is gutless, I need a supercharger...that is going to have to move up to stage two for sure!!!

wow what a women!!
never thought I would hear my wife say she needed a supercharger, like music to my ears!

 

[Riad]

My wife wants to sell the 2004 4Runner and get a 97 LC or LX450. Same reason, she loves the ride (of my truck) and the handleability. I think there's a chemical and biologial relation between women and ride

 

[MTNRAT]

My girl gave me trouble when I put the Js back in for an experiment. Had to put the taller springs back on. BTW she bought me the ARB front bumper and m12000 winch for xmas and birthday respectively. She is rolling her eyes at the underhood shower though.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[clarkrw3]

Thats funny...I am pretty sure I like you both already!!!

 

[Grouseman]

My OME springs made the ride better, but the OME shocks went way back the other way.

Gumby,

Which OME springs did you put on? The ones for 2" lift? I might still need to change out the front springs.

Steve

 

[Gumby]

Yup. OME heavy in front and back. I can never keep the numbers straight.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

My wife told me to lift it and put tires on it as soon as possible because she hates how woosy they look in stock form!! She said she doen't want to be seen in a soccer mom truck......

so first round lift, sliders, bumpers, and tires

what a women

After that she was reading through my list of stages of mods and she said what is the stage 4 with a supercharger??? hmmm hmmm well.....

That thing is gutless, I need a supercharger...that is going to have to move up to stage two for sure!!!

wow what a women!!
never thought I would hear my wife say she needed a supercharger, like music to my ears!

Does she have a sister?

 

[hobbes]

If your wife thinks the ride is harsh, she will probably be even more unhappy with the OME. I've got medium springs and still got the "this is the hardest riding truck ever...except for your FJ0-40" comment. I put back on OEM shock bushings which make the ride a bit better, but not enough for her to notice.

One other thought...if you are still riding on OEM tires and put on the lift you'll probably "up the tire ante" as well. Going to a larger LT rated tire does stiffen up the ride with the stiffer sidewalls, so you might want to do it in stages so she'll notice the change less (ie tires then lift).