How can I soften up my ride? too stiff

[spot01]

What tyre pressures are you running?
Have you tried putting some ballast in the car to see how much extra weight is required to make the springs work better?

[El_Freddo]

It doesn't matter how you do it. If you lift a car with independent suspension, your reliability/durability is now less than it was stock. You'll likely get away with it if your car is an about town show pony, but put it to work where a 4x4 is meant to shine & it'll be like pulling the trigger multiple times while playing Russian roulette.

You’d better tell that to my Subaru then... it’s been many a place that the big 4wds go/have been. Great setup, good road manners too. Love it. I’m hoping to setup the Pajero as a big sister to Ruby Scoo.

Those that 4wd with independent suspension all round have a much better understanding of picking a line. It’s about intelligence, it’s not about the size of your rig!

If that’s the way you feel Having Fun, maybe you’re in the wrong vehicle unless yours is just a black top show pony/shopping trolley.

Each to their own I guess.

Cheers

Bennie

[old Jack]

It doesn't matter how you do it. If you lift a car with independent suspension, your reliability/durability is now less than it was stock. You'll likely get away with it if your car is an about town show pony, but put it to work where a 4x4 is meant to shine & it'll be like pulling the trigger multiple times while playing Russian roulette.

I have been upgrading 4wd suspensions for 35+ years, Subaru, Jackaroo, Landcruiser 55 and 60 series, Pajero and Challengers. The vehicles have been used for recreational 4wdriving, remote area touring (private & commercial operations), rally and rally support. I have made many mistakes, the biggest has been thinking the higher and heavier duty the suspension is the better it is. I have had plenty of failures, broken leaf, torsion bar and coil springs, broken struts & shockers, broken shocker and strut mounts, failed airbags, suspension bushes and tyre's.

I have noticed the significant decline in factory fitted suspension to the stage they are not fit to carry GVM loads on bitumen let alone over corrugations. Factory suspensions on later model 4wds tend to be too firm on the front and too soft on the rear.

When I look at a suspension upgrade I aim for 2/3 compression travel and 1/3 droop travel when the 4wd is unladen, and 1/2 compression1 & 1/2 droop travel (factory unladen ride height) when the vehicle is at its loaded weight.

I have been frustrated by the lack of specific technical data for springs, shockers and struts from aftermarket suppliers/manufacturers and the lack calculations of ride heights changes with changing axle loads.
I take a scientific, mathematical and practical approach to suspension upgrades rather than one based the colour of the components and brand names. People spend serious money in good faith and end up with a suspension that does not suit their requirements. Hopefully my contributions can prevent people from repeating my mistakes or getting sold a suspension that does not suit their individual needs.

OJ.

[Jasonmc73]

I have been upgrading 4wd suspensions for 35+ years, Subaru, Jackaroo, Landcruiser 55 and 60 series, Pajero and Challengers. The vehicles have been used for recreational 4wdriving, remote area touring (private & commercial operations), rally and rally support. I have made many mistakes, the biggest has been thinking the higher and heavier duty the suspension is the better it is. I have had plenty of failures, broken leaf, torsion bar and coil springs, broken struts & shockers, broken shocker and strut mounts, failed airbags, suspension bushes and tyre's.

I have noticed the significant decline in factory fitted suspension to the stage they are not fit to carry GVM loads on bitumen let alone over corrugations. Factory suspensions on later model 4wds tend to be too firm on the front and too soft on the rear.

When I look at a suspension upgrade I aim for 2/3 compression travel and 1/3 droop travel when the 4wd is unladen, and 1/2 compression1 & 1/2 droop travel (factory unladen ride height) when the vehicle is at its loaded weight.

I have been frustrated by the lack of specific technical data for springs, shockers and struts from aftermarket suppliers/manufacturers and the lack calculations of ride heights changes with changing axle loads.
I take a scientific, mathematical and practical approach to suspension upgrades rather than one based the colour of the components and brand names. People spend serious money in good faith and end up with a suspension that does not suit their requirements. Hopefully my contributions can prevent people from repeating my mistakes or getting sold a suspension that does not suit their individual needs.

OJ.

I'm listening & appreciate the knowledge

[Moci]

Have you considered going back to softer springs & installing a body lift, if that's legal in Canada?


That will give you a lift & you'll still have a smoother ride.


It's the monocoque that's causing your problems. Combining that with stiffer springs will be bone jarring on rough roads!


Personally I'm not a fan of lifting cars that have independent suspension. They look great, but the trade off in reliability/durability isn't worth it IMO.

I have factory springs and 2" lift with spacers, and still it's stiff ride but I am used to it
There is no help, every Pajero has stiff ride.

Anyone had NP and NS Pajero? Is NS Pajeros better for this stiffnes?