Rough Rider

[TRAVIS75]

So we have had my wifes 93 sidekick j/x 4dr a/t. for about a year and a half now. This last weekend we finally took the thing off the beaten path. I fully suspect now that this needs some new suspension either that or this particular year and make of zuk was created with the sole intention of breaking loose kidney stones and keeping dentists and chiropractors in business LOL. We have always taken my 89 subaru dl out when hunting or fishing, and granted its not the absolute smoothest ride, but compared to the bone jarring thrill ride we took in the suzuki, its like riding a cushioned cloud through a cottonfield. So that leads to my question what seems to be the favorite aftermarket replacement parts to smooth out this ride. I love the zuk, its got more get up and go and now that I've had the computer rebuilt slightly better gas mileage. Also gotta love the big ol windshield, and the way the door glass is. You can see so much more when your driving around the mountains and looking for critters.

[Kaoseighty9]

i must say i have a 98 sidekick sport and going camping with it over big moggles its a pain in the ass its hard as hell i think i need some new suspension also i dont know if how they were built they skipped the suspension or what not or maybe its just old and needs replacements. but i hear you with the back breaking suspension

[TRAVIS75]

Well I've not seen any responses here for a/m suspenion is this due to the fact that this thing is going to ride rough regardless of suspension. If so, I may have to reconsider taking this thing bear hunting in August, I weigh a good 250 and with any luck I'd get a 300 pounder. I can only imagine how much smoother the ride would be then (loaded with sarcarm LOL). I've been reading the recent post on tire pressure, maybe I'll reduce it a little bit in hopes of saving the fillings in my teeth.

[jtgh]

there is a company that makes progressive springs.
dynamic spring rates.
sure as rain.


the rate on my stock 2door is 76 lbs/inch (1 spring)

on others its more, 4dr, yup
some put 4dr springs in 2dr. and spine will take a beating.

the progresses are real soft (at first)

speed of course will moderate the exposure to pain.

[relicduke]

Anything that short is gonna be rough,I figger you got two choices,learn to love it or spend money on stuff that will make it ride a little bit better .Everybody wants trucks to ride like an Olds 88.

[jtgh]

gee my miata is short and its not rough. nor any other short 2000 lb car.
sorry. the spring rates are 76/lbs per inch.
so if you hit a bump real fast and compress the spring 3 inches, the force is 3 x 76.
I imagine the first hard tail Harley driver saying. gee , i dont need no stinking springs.
hahahahah ( hard tails are no fun to drive, try one) {easyrider not}

but the spring rates dictate the felt bumps.
and progressives , have low rates for small bumps and the as the bumps get worse
you feel them more, just be fore it bottoms out. (at the end the rate goes to stock)

look on a motorcycle , the have classic progressive rate springs.
if not? , you spine will really hurt. (sometimes for days, (dirt bike racing))
you can even see the variable winding of said coils , just look, they are in plane view on the rear.


yes, you can make it , anyway you want.
it is your choice.

just keep tabs on right height, this can be reduced a tad with progressives.
depends on preload and coil lenght.

cheers

[grc1]

I must say I abstlly love the very rough ride of my tracker. Apart from the ocational lost filling,helps brake up kidney stones so they're easer to pass and ocational blured vision I think the ride is Great.
Now you are wondering why I would say somthing as stupid as that. Well there is a very good reason and its because I have a daughter. She drives my tracker and I'm the person who fixes it. Now hear is the reason ....When my daughter is driving I know for a fact that with the ride being so rough that she has both hands on the steering wheel.Now with that same rough ride I know her boyfriend is hanging on to the body hand holds and Not MY Daughter. Now you know why. Being a dad is great.

[jtgh]

now that is the best and funniest post ever on this forum.

keep em coming.

and me too. i too spent better part of life time on dirtbikes, so rough is not a issue.
with only fingers touching bike, heheheheh

buy pit bull for daughter..... hehehehehe

[relicduke]

Easy now,I rode my hard tailed Triumph for 34 years and am still five foot eleven,but sometimes I thought my spine was going through to top of my head.

[jtgh]

hey no issues, I love all bikes ,